The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-27 00:00:00

THE CELLAR MARTYR.

When the result of tho motion made by Mr. O'Connell in
the House of Commens on Friday night was communicated
to Mr. S. O'Brien, the hon. representative for Limerick im-
mediately addressed the following letter to the Speaker, in
order that the Members might be put in possession of his
sentiments respecting the payment of fees before they voted
on the motion of his release from custody, which the Right
Hon. and Learned Recorder of Dublin has signified his inten-
tien of proposing this evening, after the private business is
disposed of:— - _ _ _

" Prison, House of Commons, May 23, 1846.
" Sir,—l perceive that a notice has been given by Mr.
Shaw, that he will, on Monday next, move that William
Smith O'Brien, Esq., in custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms,
be discharged out of custody, paying his fees.'
"As I have reason to believe that this motion will be
carried, if proposed to the House, I feel that a due regard, as
well for my own public character as for the rights of those
whom I represent, forbids me to allow the House of Com-
mons to adopt such a resolution in ignorance of my senti-
ments respecting it.
" I do not dare to complain of the personal injury inflicted
upon me by thrusting me into the cell which I now. inhabit;
bat I am desirous, in the most formal and emphatic manner,
to record my sense of the wrong. which has beendone
into
those whom I represent, by depriving them of my services
Parliament.
" I again solemnly protest against my imprisonment, as
contrary to reason, contrary to law, and contrary to the
constitution.
" In order to sustain its own injustice, the House of Com- '
mons, by its decision last night, has set at nought these Par-
liamentary forms, a technical regard to which so often inter-
poses to prevent or delay the redress of grievances and the
discussion of useful measures.

" As the Parliamentary representative of above a quarter
of a million of my fellow-countrymen, I claim to be entitled
to take my seat unconditionally and of right in the House of
Commons.

" It is now proposed, that after having subjected me to
confinement during a period of 25 days, the House of Com-
mons shall give me leave to purchase my liberty by the
payment of a pecuniary fine, under the name of Parliamen-
tary fees, no longer a perquisite of its officers, but payable to
a public fund subject to its disposal.
If the payment of such fees is to be interpreted as an
acknowledgment, on my part, of the right of the House of
Commons to subject me to fine and imprisonment, for hav-
ing conscientiously performed my duty to my constituents in
the mariner most acceptable to them, I prefer to remain in
prison rather than make such an acknowledgment.
" If, however, after this declaration, the House shall still
proceed to vote my conditional release, I shall consider the
payment of those fees as a ransom for my personal liberty, ex-
acted from me by a superior power, acting without legiti-
mate authority, and shall discharge them under protest, in
order that I may be enabled to aid in resisting the bad mea-
sures which an English Ministry is now endeavouring to
force upon my country by means of English Parliamentary
majorities. the right of
" I shall at the same time reserve to myselfi rea
seeking redress from the judicial tribunalsoftie
" I do not expect any answer to this letter, but takethe
libertyito
h
o ft
eH
requestinge e, in
that
caseyoua motion
mwioltldn for myrelease,
omethe
to sub-
mitsubject
:o the payment of fees, should be proposed.
" I have the honour to be,
" Your obedient faithful servant,
" WILLIAM S. O'BRIEN."
:lit Hon. the Speaker." •

" To the Rigl

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BRITISH AND FOREIGN INSTITUTE.—A lecture has
been delivered at this institute, by Mr. Zaba, on the Polish system of
mnemonics, or a method for so classifying and arranging historical
even's, as to greatly facilitate the accurate remembrance of them.
This system is so highly approved in France as to be adopted in all
the colleges and schools under the direction of the Government in
that country. An intelligent youth, only seven years old, illus-
trated the advantages of the system in a manner the most satisfac-
tory, and answered the various inquiries of the ladies and gentlemen
among the audience, as to the dates of events in almost every cen-
tury, with extraordinary readiness, though the questions were asked
without reference to any consecutive order, and without any pos.
Bible previous communication.
MIDDLE TEMPLE.—The undermEse:tiwonme.dngoeranutle,m_ene.:
were called to the degree of the Utter Bar on Saturday, and
pub-
lished in the Middle Temple Hall this day :—John Cockerton Esq.,
Tomas Jcnos, Esq., Joseph Needham,
BUN till; VW, Elq•