The Sun.
London, England, 1870-01-27 00:00:00

'FITE PATENT LAWS.

At a meeting of the Manchester Patent Law Reform
Association, Sir W. Fairbairn, Bart., the president,
strongly denounced the attempt which it
had been intimated would be made in the coming
session to abolish the patent laws. He said it would
be the signal for the destruction of practical
science and the ruin of the inventor. Sir ltoundell.
Palmer, Sir William Armstrong, Mr. Macfie, and
others wished to carry out a system of something like
free trade in patents. This, he contended, would
be a mistake. Patents, above all things, would not
flourish under a free trade system. Several other
gentlemen supported the president's views. A com-
mittee was appointed to draw up a petition to
Parliament embodying the opinions of the meeting.

NATIONAL EMIGRATION LEAGUE.
An appeal for help to the League is made by Mrs.
Spottiswoode, of Aberdeen, and published by the
Duke of Manchester, the presidents in the hope that
subscriptions will be forthcoming, to enable the
League to afford help in such cases. It appears that
upwards of one hundred families could be at once
sent off from Aberdeen alone—respectable 'people, who
got on well enough until the depression of trade, and
are sober, willing, and industrious. - =
EJECTMENTS IN IRELAND. •

The Freeman's Journal says that as the meeting
of Parliament approaches, the work of eviction is
extending, " being pressed forward with such vigour
that the tenantry of many parts of the country is
likely to be annihilated before Parliament
can interfere." The journal goes on to say that
it has received a list of twenty-one families, number-
ing 138 individuals, who are to be " turned out," like
so many offensive vermin, a few days before the
delivery of the Royal Speech. In these particular
cases we are informed that not one shilling of rent is
due, and crime and outrage are unknown on the
estate.

SCOTTISH PERMISSIVE BILL ASSOCIATION.
A large deputation of this association has bad an
interview with the Right Hon. the Lord Advocate,
at which his lordship said that the question of the
repression of drunkenness, and of intemperance short of
drunkenness, was certainly the largest and most impor-
tant that can occupy the attention of the Legislature.
The question of the means by which the wished for
results were to be obtained was for the consideration
of her Majesty's Government, and he would not
fail to bring the matter, with the views of the
deputation upon it, under the notice of the Msnistry.
His lordship said that whatever difference of opinion
might exist about the means for the attainment of
the end, the end itself was one to which every good
man who loves his country and his fellow-citizens
must wish God-speed.

THE ICING OF THE BELGIANS.
The arrangements for handing the " Mayors'
Address " to the King of the Belgians are progress-
ing. The casket to contain the address has been
provided, and a deputation is to cross the Channel to
present it. Mayors are of course requested to attend.
The King offered to put a steamer specially at the
command of the deputation ; but " that long sea
voyage " from London was too much for the contem-
plation of our municipal heroes, and the offer was
declined with thanks—the deputation would take the
shorter passage of the Straits of Dover. At Brussels
the deputation is to be well feted. A royal banquet
is to follow the ceremony of presentation ; and on the
next night a ball will be given by their Majesties.
After royal municipal honours, after the dinner at the
palace, a feast will be given by tho burgomaster.
In Bruisels, it seems, they do to those whom the
Kin, thlighteth to honour, much as we do in this
country.

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