The Sun.
London, England, 1848-08-21 00:00:00

TO THE SECRETARY OF THE

BRADFORD REFORM ASSOCIATION.
Sir,—On Wednesday the 16th, the Conservatives in-
terposed on the subjict of the French and English co-
operation in North Italy, with what are subsequently
published as "stunning" speeches, borrowing from the
energetic advertisements of the minor theatres. Nothing
can be more diminutive than the effect this kind of
oratory produces in the present day. The thing is gone
out ; and the production of it falls as flatly upon the con-
cerned, as would Sir Charles Grandison's wedding-dress
of white and silver at a modern bridal. •
On the same evening an assault was made from the
same side of the House, on the iniquity of using the in-
fluence of ,England to repress Slavery and the Slave
Trade in Mohammedan countries. It plainly is sus-
pected that some good is doing in that way; and
great is the flutter in consequence. We slid not know
we were to hear " the Institution" defended in a British
Parliament. The argument urged appeared to be, that
in Mohammedan countries slaves are prime ministers.
Nothing could show less acquaintance with facts, than
the whole of the line taken on the subject of Moham-
medan feelings and prejudices on the question of
Slao<•ry. There is nothing in the Mohammedan reli-
gion which favours slavery either political or personal.
A significant point of comparison would be to take the
difference between American-Christian law and the
Koran, on the subject of refugee slaves. The American
law would be to sell for the State if no other claimant
could be found. The law of Mohammed is, "If slaves
come to you, redeem them, and it is forbidden to you to
send them forth." (Koran ii. 85.) After this, a British
Minister need not be nervous. The truth is, that in
Mohammedan countries two things, whether in accord-
ance with their law or not, give an impression of the
superiority of Europeans; and those are the rejection of
polygainy, and of slavery.
It would be interesting to know, what is at the bot-
tom of this zeal in various directions in behalf of sla-
very. I never insinuate, and therefore say straight out,
that it is portion of a desire to see the tropical regions
of the world cultivated by importations from Africa, in
which what call themselves the West Indian and the
Free Trade interests, have been weak enough to allow
themselves to be tempted with the prospect of a share.
On Thursday the Diplomatic Relations with the Court
of Rome Bill, as sent from the Lords, was read a second
time, with a majority of 125 against 46. Intentions were
expressed by some of the Catholic Members on the Li-
beral side, of resisting the clause in Committee, which
forbids the reception of an ecclesiastic as representative.
I should have thought, considering where the Bill came
from, it would have been better to let well alone.
On Friday was a warm debate on Education, resumed
in the later part of the day on the question of a grant
to certai❑ professorships in the universities. On com-
plaint of the unfairness of excluding Dissenters from
degrees, the minister intimated his intention of pro-
posing at some future period, that the Dissenters should
be allowed to keep their terms at Cambridge and take
their degrees in the University of London. This was
protested against for the Dissenters; for why should a
Dissenter be sent away as unworthy, and when the fact
of his having gone to one university in preference to the
other, is proof that the value of the two degrees was not
in his eyes the same?
The only reason of any substance, given for exclu-
ding Dissenters, is that there would be difficulty in their
joining in the religious ordinances established in the
colleges, in other words, in going to chapel. The way
to obviate which would be, for the Dissenters to estab-
lish a college with a chapel of their own. If there were
still difficulties upon their voting in the Academic
Senate, on the ground that subjects affecting the religion
of the majority might come before it, it might be for
the Dissenters to consider whether they would stand
upon the question.
On the same evening the Government was near being
beaten on the question of making over Vancouver's
Island to the hopeless despotism of the Hudson's Bay
Company; the votes being 76 to 68.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
T. PERRONET THOMPSON.
Blackheath, London, Aug. 21, 1848.

COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
COWES, AUGUST 20.

The annual dinner at the Royal Yacht Squadron House on
Saturday was attended by about thirty members, amongst
whom we noticed the Vice-Commodore, Sir B. Graham, Bart.,
Lord Wilton, Lord Exmouth, Lord Godolphin, Lord A. Fitz-
clarenee, and G. H. Ackers, Esq.
The tollowing yachts are entered to sail for Prince Albert's
Cup on Monday :—Wyvern, 205 tons, the Duke of Marl-
borough ; Capricorn, 313 tons, C. R. M. Talbot, Esq. ; En-
chantress, 213 tons the Earl of Cardigan • Flirt, 155 tons,
Vice-Commodore Sir B. Grahani, Bart. ; Brilliant, 392 tons,
G. llolland Ackers, Esq.
In consequence of the showery weather on Saturday, the
boat racing was put off till Monday, when, weather permit-
ting, a splendid day's sport may be expected. Eleven foreign
boats are entered to contest for the two prizes. An Ameri-
can ship has manned one of her boats with five men of colour,
and a prize of 51. is offered for them and any others that may
enter to contend fur. A number of yachts boats are to be
rowed in two molders, as well as the boats belonging to the
port. There is to be a match for sail boats undebpn,t are
i 'ai °C ierlti`iaje"sty liar signified her intention of hem;
present to witness the sport. In the evening one of the
grandest displays of- fireworks is to take place that has ever
been seen here ; the yachts will also make a display.
Her Majesty and Prince Albert attended Divine service 'at
Whiffingliam Church this morning, and this evening the
Prince drove the pony-chaise through West Cowes to take
the Queen to the Duke of Cambridge's, at Gothic Hall, and
returned through the High-street about seven o'clock. There
were only two servants with her Majesty and the Prince,
much to the astonishment of the foreign captains and seamen,
of whom there are a great many in the town. They say that
the Sovereigns of Russia, Prussia, &c., do things very
differently.
The Duchess of Kent attended service at East Cowes
church.

THE WEATHER.—THE CRQI.S.—CARRYING CORN ON A
SuNDAT.—There is a good deal of wheat out in this neigh-
bourhood that has been cat a fortnight, the wet weather
seriously injuring it and preventing its being carried. If
much longer exposed to similar weather it will be all spoiled.
This morning, a finer one was never seen, but the barometer
was still low, and the question, was, " Would the tarsiers
carry their corn on a Sunday 2" Some were inclined to do
so, but thought the men would not assist; another shower
settled the question—they could not. How differently people
look at different things. If a vessel is driven on shore, and
the weather prevents any assistance being given her till
Sunday, and that proves a fine day, all work their hardest
to save her cargo, of corn or what not; no one thinks of
there being any sin in.that ; quite the contrary. And is the
case different in the fields? The waves may destroy the
cargo if it is left, and the rain may destroy the bread of man
in the fields if it is left. Then save it when you can; it is a
work of necessity, and no sin.