The Sun.
London, England, 1848-01-01 00:00:00

4111*
E SUM, LONDON,

of his guilt. This necessity was imposed on Mr. SET..
MOUE, from the fact that M'CABE, who was then on
trial along with REID, had on the former occasion
been examined as a witness against him. This was
one of the unfortunate results that attended the de-
parture from the usual course, by not only pro-
secuting a person who had given evidence on behalf
of the Crown, but doing so before the very same jury
who were empannelled to decide upon the guilt or
innocence of the man against whom he had then
sworn. A jury are certainly bound to return their
verdict solely on the evidence adduced on the present
trial, and to dismiss from their minds everything they
may have previously heard with respect to the trans-
action. But is this always possible ? Is it practically
the case ? Many of those acting as jurors on the
recent trial had probably been in court, and heard
3/14CAnE's testimony on the former occasion. It was
most likely that there was not a single one of them
who had not read a full report of the case which had
excited such thrilling interest throughout the entire
country. Every one was well aware that nasals
had sworn that REID was the man who had opened
the door to him when he knocked at Mr. Waanu's
house. If this was true REID was certainly guilty.
No possible state of facts was consistent. with
his innocence, but the guilt of th 9 other prisoner, and
that his whole story was a fiction. Mr. SEYMOUR
fully recognised this necessity, and he would have
ill discharged his professional duty had he shrunk
from the responsibility which was imposed upon him.
Had he abandoned the former line of defence,
had he been silent as to the guilt of M'CABE
it would have led to an irresistible infe-
rence that the charge against his own client was well
founded. Was he, then, to blame therefore ? Cer-
tainly not. lf any one could justly be censured it
was the counsel for the prosecution, who, by placing
the parties on their trial at the same time, and before
the same jury, rendered such a course essential to
the safety of his client. It should also be borne in
mind that Mr. SEYMOUR, in the course of his very
talented and able speech—a speech which, we are in-
formed, made a very strong impression on his au-
ditory—made no statements of his own belief of his
client's innocence, he commented strongly, and most
efficiently, on the evidence before the Court ; but he
made no adjuration—he called not GOD to witness the
injustice of the accusation.
We venture to say, that on a fair consideration of
the facts of the case, on weighing every point ma-
turely, no person can justly reproach Mr. SEY-
MOUR for the course he adopted on the trial, and
which was, in fact, the only one he could pursue.
His subsequent conduct was in the highest degree
praiseworthy. Immediately after sentence had been
passed, and the prisoners had been removed from the
dock, REID confessed his own guilt, and for the first
time stated that his companion was in no way what-
ever connected with the murder. He then also stated
the several details of the melancholy affair, and ex•
plained every circumstance that bore most strongly
against M'CABE. The moment Mr. SEYMOUR learned
this fact, and was led to believe that he had
been mistaken in the previous estimate he had
formed as to M'Cane's share in the transaction, he
hastened to the Learned Judge, and related that con-
fession, and also the statements made by REID before
the trial. These confessions, or statements, have been
confounded together, and it has been erroneously
supposed that Mr. SEYMOUR, when making his speech
for the defence, was acquainted with the real facts.
We have only space this day to allude to the firAt
part of Mr. Swirstoua'a letter in justification of his
own conduct. The second part of his letter relates to
a most important subject, and one which it would
not be possible to consider fairly in a limited period.
The privileges of the bar are indeed a subject of the
deepest importance—not merely to the bar-
rister himself, but far more so to the public
in general, for whose especial benefit these
privileges were conceded. The question, indeed,
does not arise in the present instance, as Mr. Say-
MOUR did not act in the manner alleged against him.
But a hasty view of the subject may lead to very
erroneous conclusions ; and it will be found that, al-
though the exercise of what is termed " the license
of counsel" may sometimes be strongly commented
on, that license could not be abolished, or even ma-
terially diminished, without the most serious injury
to the community at large.

A letter from Rome, dated Dec. 18, says—
" A great subject of conversation at Rome is the
probable end of the proceedings instituted relative to
the conspiracy of July IG. It is said that the Cheva•
lier Minardi and Count Bertola, now confined at
St. Angelo, are to be set at liberty. The other pri-
soners, sixteen or seventeen in number, will be con-
demned to a longer or shorter confinement. A
circular of the Cardinal-Vicario revoked, from
December 31, the authority given to all the confessors
of nunneries. New powers will be conferred on
January 1. This measure appears intended to put
down certain movements; and remove several confes-
sors without publicity. On Monday, the 20th, Mgr.
Ferrieri will set out for Constantinople, charged with
the task of complimenting the Sultan in the name of
Pius IX., and of treating about the establishment of
a Nuncio in that city. Mgr. Ferrieri will afterwards
visit the missions of America. Mgr. Valerga, Pa-
triarch of Jerusalem, left on the 15th for his resi-
dence. No person can yet say who is to be the
successor of Cardinal Ferretti. According to a
rumour now in circulation, Pius IX. intends pro-
hibiting the entrance of the Alba journal, on account
of its bitterness against the Jesuits. He lately in-
flicted a fortnight's imprisonment in a convent en a
priest who had spoken openly againt them.
We read in a letter from Rome, of the 19th—" The
Pontifical Government has just adopted two measures
of considerable importance. Hitherto the Diario di
Roma, conducted by the Chevalier DB ANGELIS, was
erroneously considered in foreign countries as the
official organ ; it is only after Jan. 1 that this journal
is to be official, and that it will be conducted by
editors named by the Secretary of State, the former
editor retiring. From the same date, the political
journals, which hitherto were not subject to any tax,
are to pty two baiochs (12i c.) each number. These
two measures will have the effect of gravely compro-
mising the Bilancia, the Conservative print, and the
Contemporaneo, an ultra journal."
The Patria of Florence states that the Porm has
rejected the application of the students of the •Uni-
versity of Bologna to be allowed to form themselves
into a guard, as has been the case with the students
of the University of Pisa, by permission of the Grand
Duke of Tuscemr.

The Alba, Florence journal, of the 23d ult., con-
tains the fallowing letter, dated Mantua, 20th :
" An express arrived here to-day at noon from
Milan, with orders for the Hungarian regiment of
Ferdinand d'Este to depart immediately for Modena.
The advanced guard marched out at four o'clock, and
the remainder of the regiment is to follow on the
next day. The colonel posted off to Modena in all
haste to apprise the Duke of the arrival of the
Austrian troops. M. Nieuman, the Austrian envoy,
proceeded from Modena to Parma on the 18th."
The English squadron sailed from the Italian
coast on the 21st ult., steering in a south-easterly
dirction.

The Reforme of Lucca contains the following letter,
dated Ferrara, 17th ult. :
" Cardinal Ciacchi arrived here unexpectedly yes-
terday at four o'clock in the afternoon. He was re-
ceived with the most enthusiastic expressions of de-
light by the inhabitants. The Austrians were to
have withdrawn their guards from the city this after-
noon, and 300 Swiss troops were on their march to
relieve them, but an express was sent to prevent their
arrival, the Austrian General having declared that he
would not receive any troops. It is still asserted,
however, that the Austrian troops will withdraw, and
that the arrival of the Swiss had been countermanded
in consequence of an informality in the instructions
transmitted to them."

Private letters from Naples of the 18th ult. state
that the KING was more determined than ever to
make no concessions. The riots of the 15th, notwith-
standing their threatening character, had not shaken
his MensTv's resolution. The troops, however, were
beginning to waver, and an ominous agitation had
already manifested itself in the division commanded
by General DBSANGET. The Swiss regiments were
the only troops in which the Kixa could place any
reliance, and there was every probability that the
Radical Government of Berne would shortly recal
them, at the instigation, no doubt, of the Italian
refugees, who are aware that nothing serious can
take place in their country until Naples shall have
joined the movement.

A letter from Berne of the 26th says—" The
question of the adjournment of the Diet, without
having been spoken of at either of the two last

sittings of that assembly, is resolved de facto by the
departure of nearly all the, Deputies to pass the
jour de ran at their own homes. The labours of the
Federal Assembly will not be resumed before the
end of the first fortnight in January. One of the
first operations of the body, in full number, will be
without doubt to dec:de, if it be necessary, for the
question of the revision of the compact, to remain
contented with the mmination of the commission of
fourteen Members appointed in August last, or
whether it may not be more advisable to choose a new
commission, in which the cantons of the Sonderbund
will be represented."

Madrid papers of the 24th have arrived.
The intrigue to form a Most and PIDAL Ministry
has failed for the present. NARYAEZ continues to be
President of the Camel!, but without a portfolio.
General FIGUERAS is to be Minister of War. Senor
BELTRAN DE LTS will be the new Minister of Fi
nance, and will be succeeded as Minister of Marine
by ROCA. DE TOGORES.
Count D'ALCoY, who has been appointed Captain-
General of Cuba, is to leave for that island imme-
diately.
MADRID BOLSI, DEC. 24.—The Three per Cents.
closed at 28k, at 50 days; Five per Cents. 15k. for
the 14th of January; Passives, 5 paper; Coupons,
104 each.

Since the allow was written we have received
Madrid papers of the 25th.
The Gaceta publishes a royal decree, re-constitut-
ing the Ministry as follows :—General NARVAEZ
President of the Council, without portfolio; General
FIGUERAS, War ; MANUEL BELTRAN DB LYS I RIDES,
Finance; SARTOIIUS, Interior; ARRAZOLA, Justice;
BRAVO Muanxo,Public Instruction ; ROCA DE To-
GORES, Marine.

We hare received the Paris papers of Thursday.

The Ministerial candidates for the chair of Vice-
President have all been elected by large majorities,
the numbers being—For M. Bignon, 217 votes ; M.
Lepelletier d'Aulnay, 210; Marshal Bugeaud, 206;
and M. Francois Delessert, 195. The Opposition
candidates obtained—M. L3on de Malleville, 112
suffrages ; M. Billault, 110 ; M. George Lafayette,
86; and M. Abatucci, 85 ; and those of the dissenting
Conservatives—M. Lacave Laplagne, 50 ; M. Lauer,
69 ; M. Debelleyme, 27 ; and Messrs. Bignon, Lepel-
letier d'Aulnay,ißugeaud, and Francois Delessert,
having obtained the required majority, were pro-
claimed Vice-Presidents for the session.

The members of the Committee on the Address,
elected by the Chamber of Peers, were M. Renouard,
Baron de Barante, the Duke de Broglie, M. Ville-
main, Viscount Philippe de Segur, MM. Passy, and
Lebrun.

M. GUIZOT has received a note from the Swiss
Vorort, demanding the recal'of M. Bois Lz COMTE.
M. DESAGES, one of M. GUIZOT'S principal under-
secretaries, has been appointed to attend the con-
ferences on Swiss affairs, as representative of Prance.
A grand reform banquet took place at Grenoble,
on Sunday, at which upwards of 1,000 persons were
present. There were applications for 300 additional
tickets, which the committee were obliged to refuse,
as there was not accommodation for more than 1,000
persons.

The Three per Cents. closed on the Paris Bourse
on Thursday at 75f. 45c. ; New Loan, 76f. 55c. ;
Fire per Cents., 116 r. 90c; the Orleans Railroad
Shares, 1,2111. 25c.; Rouen, 905 f. 25c.; Havre,
435 f. ; Great Northern, 651 f. 25c.; Avignon, 576 f.
25c.; Vierzon, 547 f. 50c. ; Bordeaux, 487 f. 30c.;
Boulogne, 365 f.; Troyes and Montereau, 2601.
Dieppe, 260 f.; Basle, 1611. 25c.; Paris and Stras-
burg, 4121. 50c.; Tours and Nantes, 3931. 75c.;
Paris and Lyons, 400 f. ; Spanish Three per Cents.,
30i ; Ditto Domestic Debt, 26k.
MARSEILLES, Dm. 24.-Marseilles and Avignon,
586 f. 25c.

Since the above was written we have received the
Paris papers of yesterday.
They bring the melancholy intelligence of the death,
after a few hours' illness, of her Royal Highness the
Princess ADELAIDE, sister to King Louis PHILIPPE.
Galignanis Messenger thus announces this unfor-
tunate event

" DEATH OF HER ROYAL ITIOHNESS MADAME ADE-
LAIDE.—We have the painful duty of announcing an
event which we are certain will excite deep regret,
not only in France, but throughout Europe ; for the
esteem in which the illustrious personage whose death
we record was held was universal. Her Royal High-
ness Madame Adelaide, sister of the King of the
French, expired this morning, at half-past three
o'clock, at the Tuileries, in her seventy-first year,
having been born on the 21st of August, 1777. This
intelligence was as unexpected as it is painful, for
although it was announced some days ago that her
Royal Highness was affected with the prevailing
influenza, the attack was stated to be a slight
one. It appears, indeed, that the illness of Madame
Adelaide had not until yesterday become so alarm-
ing as to preclude all hope of her recovery. Their
Majesties the King and the Queen were incessant in
their attentions to her Royal Highness during the
whole of her indisposition; and when real danger was
apparent they did not quit her bedside. Yesterday
evening the whole of the Royal Family assembled
round the illustrious patient, and manifested, by their
deep emotion, the fervent attachment, amounting al-
most to adoration, that they felt for her. The Cure
of St. Roche was sent for about midnight to adminis-
ter religious succour in the solemn hour between sub-
lunary life and eternity, and soon afterwards the Prin-
cess breathed her last. The death of H.R.H. Madame
Adelaide will leave a void in the Royal Family, for which
no equivalent can be found. She was not merely the
affectionate and beloved sister of the King, his friend,
his companion, and his solacer, under the many trials
which he has experienced, but also a sister to the
Queen in every respect, as much as if the same ties
of blood had united her to her Majesty as to her
royal husband. Nor will their Majesties, who loved
their sister and sister-in-law with all the warmth
inspired by a knowledge of her attachment and
esteem for her virtues, have less cause to regret this
sad event than the other branches of the Royal Fa-
mily. The children and grandchildren of the King,
and the Princesses, who by marriage became part of
the Royal Family, were constant objects of aftection
and solicitude with Madame Adelaide, whose charac-
ter was of a kind to command at once love and respect
from the domestic circle. She was religious without
bigotry, and her serious duties were always charac-
terised by a benevolence as cheerful as it was expan-
sive. And beyond the domestic circle how many
thousands can testify to the unwearied kindness of
this amiable Princess, whose adversities had made her
acquainted with calamity only to inspire her with a
desire, when brighter dayi shone upon her, to ad-
minister to the wants and necessities of her suffering
fellow creatures. Unostentatious as were the acts of
benevolence of Madame Adelaide, it was impossible
for her to conceal them all, and volumes could be
filled with instances of her known charities, but the
good acts that she did in secret far surpassed in num-
ber those which have reached the knowledge of the
public. Her reward during life was in her own
conscience—that of her memory will be the blessings
of the thousands whom she has succoured.

"In consequence of this lamentable event, all the
receptions and other Court ceremonies of the New
Year have been countermanded."

The Chamber of Deputies on Friday broke up
early, and the Members proceeded to the Tuileries,
to offer their condolence to the KING. The death of
the Princess ADELAIDE is an event of great political
importance. It was by her advice that King Louis
PHILIPPE accepted the throne. His MAJESTY has
never adopted any measure in which the interests of
the family were involved without consulting his
sister. She was immensely rich, and has left the
bulk of her property to her favourite nephew, the
Due DE MONTPENSIER.

The Ministerial journal the Conservateur contains
the following announcement of the entry of the
Austrians into Parma :

" A letter from Turin of the 25th, coming from a
most respectable correspondent, makes us acquainted
with some very serious facts which have taken place in
the two duchies of Parma and Modena. Immediately
the Archduchess Maria Louisa had breathed her last
sigh, a courier was sent off to Genoa to invite the
Duke of Lucca, who in virtue of the Treaty of
Vienna is called to succeed to the duchy of Parma, to
take the reins of government. The Duke of Lucca,
or rather the Duke of Parma, instead of coming
immediately to his new states, set out for Milan,
where he had a conference with Marshal Radetzky,
who is Commander-in-Chief of the Austrian army in
Itoly. On the following day Austrian troops entered
the duchy of Parma, on the formal demand of the new
sovereign, who in the meantime went by Mantua to
Modena, where he held a conference with the Sove-
reign of that country, in which he urged him also to
apply for the support of Austrian troops. In fact,
our correspondent at Turin informs us that a squa-
dron of Austrian cavalry has already entered Regio,
while Imperial troops of the line are in occupation of
Modena. We repeat that the source from whence