The Sun.
London, England, 1833-01-15 00:00:00

ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS, BRIGHTON.

All the Animal, Stores of Nails, Iron, Paints, Timber,
Boards, &c., Large Marquee, Garden Seats, Summer-
houses, Alcoves, &c.
WITHOUT RESERVE,
On MONDAY, the 28th instant, at Eleven o'clock,

MR. DACItE THRELKELD gives No-
tice, that he will SELL by AUCTION, by
direction of the Assignees of Mr. Boswell Heurman, a
bankrupt, in the large Concert-room, in the Zoological
Gardens, at Brighton, on Monday, the 28th of January,
1833, all the Live Stock, Stoves, Tenants' Fixtures, and
Fittings of that well-known Establishment, consisting of
a pair of Bengal Tigers rising two years old, East India
Leopards, several Russian and American Bears, Waptia
Deer, Persian Lynx, Striped I-I) woas, Ichneumon, African
Gillet Cat, Civet Cat, Fazan Rain, Dogfaced Baboon, an
assortment of Monkeys, pair of Emews, Boa Snake (about
14 feet long), numerous Parrots, Micaws, and other Birds,
&c. &c. ; Dens, Cages, Paints, Oils, Turps, Nails, Iron and
and Iron Work, Stained Glass, Garden Rollers, and Im-
plements, Timber, &c. ; also a piece of Ordnance, large
Marquee, Garden Seats, Aviary, Piggery, and all the
Tenants' Fixtures and Fittings.
To be viewed on Saturday previous, by application at
the Gardens, where Catalogues, Is. each, may be had ;
or previously, by order, to be obtained of Mr. Turner,
solicitor to the Commission, Basing. lane ; or of the Auc-
tioneer, 4, Wood-street, Cheapside.

MISS AUSTEN'S NOVELS.--SENSE AND
SENSIBILITY —" We do not know a more agreeable writer
than Miss AUSTEN. To this day we find out likenesses to
half our acquaintances in in her dratnrztis personce, and
are only swirl ised that they are not so enter'aining as
their prototypes. The great charm of Ler characters is
their reality. In the volume before us, what can be more
actual than the joyous vulgarity of Mrs. Jennings, who,
when a young friend is in the first despair of ill requited
affection, rect Ilects that her former husbind never found
any thing do him half the good when he had an attack of
gout as a glass of her old Constantia, which she takes for
granted would be equally efficacious in the young lady's
cage, and only becomes aware of the extent of her distress
when she sees that she • has left her dried cherries on her
plate ? Again, how exquisitely true is the innate selsbness
of Mrs. John Dashwood ! The conversation between
her and her husband, where she convinces him that his
father's dying recommendation of his wife and daughters
to the care of his son, will be fulfilled to the letter by pre-
sents of game and fish, is the perfection of a domestic (lie-
I ogue."....Xiterary Gazette,

The new year was ushered in with an event
which will, I trust, prove of great consequence
to the cause of Donna Maria—l mean the ar-
rival of General Solignac, who landed on the Ist
at the Fox, where he was received by a part of
the French and English battalions now on duty
there, and the corps of Guides. He dined with
Don Pedro, and the next day went round the
lines, inspecting the troops in their different
quarters. Yesterday he passed over in company
with the Emperor and their respective staffs to
the Serra, the works and defences of which he
minutely inspected, as he also did the batteries
in the town along the river. He is a most re-
spectable-looking old soldier, and the officers on
his staff seem intelligent men. One grand ob-
ject has been attained by his appointment to the
command of the army with the rank of Field-
Marshal, of course nominally under the imme-
diate orders of the Emperor. Provided he will
be commander-in-chief, and not permit interfe-
rence, things will, I have no doubt, speedily
and most materially change for the better. I say
this confidently from the knowledge I have of the
troops here and those outside, who will never
stand in the open field. Miguel's force is greatly,
if' not altogether, demoralized, anti it is no
longer possible to prevent them from plunder-
ing, at least on the left bank of the river, where
it is said I)on Miguel continues. I have been
this day informed, on what I consider creditable
testimony, the greatest rarity in Oporto, that at
Villa Nova the soldiers sell brandy at 4 tes-
toons (about 25.) the almuda, and good wine
at 5 or 6 milrees the pipe. Five deserters from
the 12th also came in to-day, and the report is
now current amongst Miguel's troops that Eng-
land, France, and Spain are about to ship off
their King to Vienna, and to place Donna Maria
on the throne. This is a part of a report credited
generally here for some days, and which came
from Vigo, namely, that both Don Pedro and
Don Miguel were to quit Portugal, and that
the Princess Isabel Maria was to resume the
regency until the young Queen came of age.
This would, I believe, be agreeable to very
many on both sides, as the nation generally is
tired of a war the prolonging of which can only
be destructive to all, and the grand desire is peace,
even though some prejudices should be sacrificed
on all sides. The report of the negotiation on
foot was most particular in specifying that Don
Miguel was to have the rents of the Infantad, anti
that such persons as chose to accompany him
were to have their revenues guaranteed, and
this, with a general amnesty, was to restore
tranquillity in the country. I should also men-
tion, when speaking of General Solignac's ar-
rival, that General Frimont has landed, and is
expected to be a valuable assistant to him. Pro-
visions arrive constantly from Vigo, and as the
weather has again become fine, everything, ex-
cept what we are all most anxious for, the mails,
can be landed. In order to cover the landing of
stores, &c., at the Foz, a redoubt has been con-
structed at the lighthouse, which is now en-
closed by a strong embankment, and at this
spot, even when the bar is not passable, there is
a tolerable landing place, except in stormy
weather. The enemy are, it is true, now con-
structing a battery lower down towards the
point, to command this beach without firing
over the castle of the Foz, as they are compelled
to do at present, with a view to impeding the
communication ; but, even in this case, it will
only be necessary for Don Pedro to intrench a
small hill to the right, which, with the Castello
do Queja, will cover this point, and be out of
the range of the guns on the southern shore.
This will render the Sampaio battery useless,
and I believe, in consequence, the progress of
the redoubt on the Arabida, intended to over-
awe it, is in some degree suspended.
On Sunday anti Monday, as if it were in-
tended to leave no excuse for a charge upon the
Miguelites for keeping up an useless fire of
musketry, some blockhead or other induced
whoever then had command of the forces to au-
thorize the volunteers, not of Oporto or Donna
Maria, but the British volunteers, of whom I
should have held it almost blasphemy to predi-
cate such degradation, to fire at every living thing
they saw upon the south side of the Douro.
This was said to be a compliment to this corps
for the precision they displayed on the 17th of
last month, and if so it was a bad one. The
only effect it could produce was to have all the
poor people on this side the river shot, and
put a total stop to everything like either com-
merce or quietness. A representation was made
to the Minister of War upon the subject, but
not until Monday morning, when Lord George
Paulet had three bullets lodged in the Nautilus,
and a fourth close over his head as he shoved
off in his gig. This produced an instant appli-
cation to the Government, and orders were said
to have been given to cease the fire, but this I
can say from having seen it, that, whoever the
party consisted of, and I have been assured the
English no longer remained, the firing continued
until sunset, and I saw poor women and chil-
dren fired at with a zeal only to be equalled by
that of the ragamuffins at the other side.
Apropos of this, I have been told that the result
of the fire was the shooting of two monks at
St. Antonio and an old woman. For th,-; monks,
it is only the lex talionis, and I should not re-
gret to find it true, but the old woman I should
be most sincerely sorry for, as there is no class
in society so useful, so sensible, and so really
good as old women,—l mean those who hare
the legitimate right to the peticoat. On the same
day (Monday) 180 men from Glasgow, part of
a larger body, landed ; the remainder, we hear
with regret, and hope still to find it untrue,
have perished on the Irish coast. On the Ist,
also, the Druid frigate made her appearance in
the offing, anti with that contempt for dangers
of all kinds natural to British seamen, made a
signal for a midshipman to the vessels inside.
The bar was impassable. The Raven cutter,
from Vigo, also came off, and on the next day
the mails were sent off; but whether,, she com-
municated with the Druid subsequently, we can
only guess. One thing we are, however, certain
of, that three mails are due, and that if we had not
other casual opportunities of sending letters or
hearing from England besides the regular con-
veyances, for which the public pays so dearly,
London and Oporto would know as little of
each other as Kamsehatka and Penzance. I
don't know what you may think of this but,

I went to the Foz to-day, hoping to have
been in time for the City of Edinburgh steamer,
which proceeds to England, after touching at
Vigo. I was just half an hour too late, but I
could perceive while there, and have had my idea
confirmed by those capable of judging, that the
enemy's new battery will still in some degree
rake the beach down to the Castello do Quejo.
There are, however, no guns up yet, and as the
manheti-system is generic here, I don't appre-
hend much danger for a long time to come.
General Solignac has, I find, begun well. He '
suffers no interference, and has visited every
thing, hospitals included. Before a week goes
round I have no doubt a blow will be struck,
and I have as little doubt of its success. Ano-
ther requisition was made to the British ships to
move from their present anchorage which I un-
derstand will not be acceded to, as, from the
freshes which may soon be apprehended, it
would be dangerous to remove them. More-
over, the object desired was to leave the Liberal
schooner at liberty to batter an old house oppo-
site, and the Government, I presume, saw that
the object was not worthy of the immensity of
paper, which, from the forms used here, would
be wasted upon it. While upon this point I
may observe that the stories in circulation re-
lative to the conduct of the British squadron
on the 17th of last month, slanders which none
but persons equally cowardly as cruel could
for one moment credit, were all rear being
visited upon the head of Lord George Paulet,
against whom there were menaces of assassina-
tion, of which he is still ignorant. The people
here took it into their heads that as a Lord he
must necessarily be commanding officer, and
upon him all their wise vengeance, provided he
was caught on shore after dark, was to be visited.
An order from Captain Glascock, that no per-
son connected with the squadron should be on
shore after 4 o'clock, has, it is to be hoped, pre-
served his Lordship to be still an ornament to
the navy. At Miguel's side their policy is bet-
ter ; for they made the simple affair of allowing
the English sailors to buy and pay for fresh pro-
visions quite an international business, Santa
Martha giving out orders that in consequence
of the intimate and friendly relations between the
Rey Absoluto and the British nation every faci-
lity was to be given to those engaged in supply-
ing their well beloved allies. This, at the same
time, shows the miserable shifts to which they
are driven to keep up anything like a spirit in
their army. As to facts, I have very few to
give. It will be no novelty to inform you that
last night from ten till half-past 12 o'clock,
shells were thrown very fast both into the town
and the Serra, and some mischief was done.
The church of the Clerigos in particular suf-
fered severely, and the magazines of saints and
angels stored up there have, I am sorry to say,
been mutilated abominably by those defenders of
the altar and the throne at the other side of the
river. The beautiful steeple has, however,
escaped, and this very considerably diminishes
my regret for St. Antonio, who can easily supply
himself with another head, and the rest of the
army of martyrs will find limbs of all sorts, sizes,
and materials to suit them from the ex-votos
hung around in their . honour. I think it is
likely the fire last night was produced by the
demonstration made of preparing a pontoon-
bridge from the Seminario across to Que-
brantoes, where the troops passed over on
the 14th of November, and unless the
fire has injured it, which I shall ascertain to-
morrow, this bridge is now quite effective for the
transport of all arms. The Emperor seems at
last roused to make all the idlers take up arms,
and a proclamation has been issued, that if all those
obliged to serve under the conscription law do
not come in within three days they will be forced.
This is a wise proceeding, and ought to have
been strictly put in practice before, as evasions
have been numerous, and, in consequence, the
number of men actually under arms, much less
than the population would fairly afford. I think
it right to mention this, because I have seen in
the papers most ridiculous exaggerations of the
force here, and some of therri divided into heads
with all the appearance of critical exactness, and
professing to come from actual examination on
the spot, while I know that every single item of
the account has been overstated. Before I
reached the Foz to-day the City of Edinburgh
had sailed, with near 2no men of Colonel Wil-
liamson's marines, for the squadron of Admiral
Sartorius, in which, I understand, the desertion
amounted to 250. Some soldiers had broken
opent%,vuats
istutwo
ams
oandej
do housesu last
fronredt,hta)iissg htit, and
iere a
morning
did
tCo
no
otut
try
raimnt
them
;
tgni al
s t
the whole of the present population of the Foz,
naval, civil, and military, happen to be a copy
of the New Testament on which to swear the
witnesses. Some ships have been sent by the
Government here to Fayal for wine for the army.
The enemy at Villa Nova would give it to them
cheaper.

SATURDAY, JAN. 5.
One or two occurrences have taken place to-
day, and of a painful nature. I mentioned yes-
terday my idea that the bombardment of Thurs-
day night had been caused by the appearance of
the bridge near the Serra. The enemy, at all
events, were on the alert, but prevented, in a
great degree, from fulfilling their object—its
destruction—by orders given last night to have
the bridge moored in its old position under the
convent. They, however, succeeded this morn-
ing in sinking the little schooner Coquette, and
2 gun-boats, which were moored near the cross-
ing point,
and covered the chain across the
river, which has been fixed and defended for
mouths by one of the bravest and most single-
hearted men in existence, Captain Hill. Field
pieces were brought to bear where the guns from
this side could not reach them, and destroyed
this little flotilla in a very short time. I regret
this much, but I must say most particularly

from the annoyance it will cause to the gallant
commander, who was met on going up the ves-
sel's side by the leg and thigh of one of his
crew being blown into his face. The poor man
who was shot is, I fear, since dead. The river
is at this point very narrow, and having been
there about two o'clock, the abuse of the parties
at each side would have been amusing, but for
the recollection of the loss suffered so re-
cently. I am, however, glad to say, that,
with the exception of the one man, no
life has been injured. The second event,
if it can be so called, was the stoppage of
a vessel under Brazilian colours, with a number
of Englishmen and foreigners, on board., all in-
valided, or from other causes, to go to England.
Many of them had been on board for a conside-
rable time, and their red uniform coats, the only
ones the poor fellows had, caused the vessel to
be marked. She was fired at from the Sampaio
battery, and having been struck, she brought
up in the middle of the river. It having been
reported to Captain Glascock that there were
killed and wounded on board, Captain Belcher,
„ ,
of the Etna, went to the battery to ask permis-
sion, on the ground of humanity, that medical
assistance should be rendered to the sufferers.
The assistant-surgeons of the Orestes and Etna,
with Captain Belcher, then went on board, and
it was found that four men had been killed, and
three badly wounded. On the return of the gig
of the Orestes, which had conveyed the surgeon
ou board, nine shots were fired at her from
Miguel's pickets—•a proceeding quite in cha-
racter, but which fortunately did no mischief,
and I am glad to say that Captain 13elcher
escaped at a later period from his humane expe-
dition without receiving any injury. From what
I have lately written, you cannot be surprised at
any act of the brutes on the south side, and I I
therefore only hope that the reports we hear of an
immediate cessation of this unnatural war may be
correct.

The most current report of the day has been,
that Don Miguel has promised to pay his
troops in this town to-morrow. I only fear he
will not try it ; if he should, he will have his list of
claimants very much diminished. Throughout
the day shot and shells have been exchanged very
liberally ; but the Serra seems to have been
the object, and if there is an attack at all, pro-
bably that will be the point, although troops
have certainly crossed from the south to this
bank of the river. This, I have no doubt, un-
less attack be intended, has proceeded from the
dread of a movement under General Solignac,
whom I saw to-day, and from whom 1 have rea-
son to expect that I shall have speedily good
news to communicate. I say this because he is
determined to have his own way, and is
thoroughly aware of the cunctatious propensi-
ties of the Portuguese authorities. I am anxious
doubly for some termination of this contest,
as the country around here is literally becoming
a desert. The woods have all disappeared, and
even the trees in the gardens are hourly coming
under the axe. The havoc and devastation, ne-
cessary perhaps, but miserable to witness, that
have taken place since this siege commenced,
no one that had not known Oporto previously
can form an idea of. Property may be reim-
bursed, but it will take half a century at least to
restore the beauty and comfort hitherto enjoyed.
At the same time necessity overpowers all sense
of scenery, and the want of shade in summer,
without which this place must be intolerable.
Now fire-wood is wanted, and to be had but in
quantities too small, although the winter is the
mildest known for years. The days are like
those of England in the middle of May, and not
a streak of snow is visible on any of the moun-
tains within sight, a circumstance not within
many years' recollection of any inhabitant at this
period.

SUNDAY, JAN. 6.

I find, with anything but pleasure, that I
underrated the mischievous energies of the Mi-
guelites. They yesterday opened their battery
on the point over Cabodella, with three guns,
but were unable to prevent the landing of stores,
although they occasioned some annoyance. This
morning, also, another battery has been un-
masked a little back from St. Antonio, and
their embrasures are now visible, opening to the
Torre de Marca, but as yet there has been no
firing. They had casks and an embankment lower
down a few days since, to attract attention in
that direction ; the object is now perceptible.
A letter reached the British commander in the
middle of the night, stating that one man, re-
ported to be badly wounded, had been taken
on shore at the south side, and his arm am•
putated, and that if any other were in a si-
milar condition, they would be taken to Don
Miguel's hospital and treated with atten-
tion equal to that bestowed upon their
own people. In order to avoid doubts, the
boats of the Orestes and Etna went down this
morning to offer the aid of the medical gentle-
men to the wounded on board the unfortu-
nate Brazilian vessel, but on their arrival, it
was found that they were about to be taken on
shore and removed to Don Miguel's military
hospital. The wounds being from cann'n-shot
are bad, and amputation of the arm from the
socket is necessary in one case. What the ship
is to do now remains a puzzle ; if she attempts
the north bank, she will be sunk by the Sam-
paio, and at that side they have no means of
taking possession and securing her. There are
92 English and 26 French and others aboard,
and how the question will be decided is more
than I can prognosticate. It is more than
probable she might have been allowed to pro-
ceed but for the paltry ruse of a miserable
schooner, which on Friday passed under Bra-
zilian colours, but on clearing the bar, to show
her bravery, hoisted the blue and white flag of
Donna Maria. Tne officers of the British
squadron have waited upon General Solignac,
and been received with kindness and cordiality.
I omitted to observe that some discontent has
arisen amongst the merchants and consignees of
English property here, in consequence of the
Government having refused to allow them to re-
move the goods in the Custom-house to moi e
secure warehouses, under bond. The object of
the Government is to have the duties paid at
once ; this, in the present state of affairs, with-
out opportunity of sale, may be difficult, and the
proceeding looks harsh after the destruction that
occurred this night week. You will say this is
a rambling letter, but the lucidus ordo is not to
be looked for from one who is obliged to write

" 4. Dan Miguel had rettirned to Braga, after reviewing
his troops, during which nothing particular occurred."
The judicious correspondent from whom we
have received this news, also announces the ar-
rival of General Solignac at Oporto, with the
reinforcement which accompanied him. He de-
scribes to us the good spirit and the undimi-
nished valour of the troops of the liberating
army. Indeed it had been found necessary for
the Emperor to issue some orders to repress the
excessive ardour of his soldiers in the fight, from
which our correspondent infers the evident im-
possibility of the Miguelites to expel, as they
had vainly boasted, the liberating army from the
loyal city of Oporto, either by attack (which, it
appears, they had not for a long time ventured
to repeat), or by means of blockade, which va-
lour, industry, and perseverance, had rendered
ineffectual ; or even by their barbarous bombard-
ments, by which only the innocent inhabitants
of Oporto suffered, but which served to irritate
the minds of every one against the ravagers of
their ow❑ country.

ROLLS COURT, JAN. 14.

THE EARL OF WINCHILSF.A V. GARETTY.

Mr. PE3IBERTON, Mr. HOPE, and Mr. STEWART,
appeared for the plaintiffs in this case, which came
before the Court on petition from the Earl of Win-
chilsea and Sir R. Vaughan, who, in their charac-
ters of executors and trustees to the estate; of the
I tte ladies Essex Kerr and Maly Kerr, sisters of
the late Duke of Roxburgh, prayed that they might
be authorized to institute a suit for the impeach
meat of the validity of a bond for 12,0001., given
by those ladies to a Mr. Nichols, formerly a book-
seller in Pall-mall. The petitioners also prayed
that a sum of money set apart from the estates of
these ladies to meet this bond might be held over
to abide the result of the suit which they hoped to
prosecute.

The original case, which brought the subject-
matter of this application to light, had arise►► out of
the administration of the estates of the ladies Kerr,
amongst other claims against which was this bond
of Mr. Nichols, and which had been sent for in-
quiry before the Master.

The LEARNED COUNSEL for the petition atter
stating the case fully, contended that the question
of validity was left completely untouched, inasinuei
s the Master's report had only been confirmed,
without the legal point respecting the bond having
been disposed of.

Mr. TINNEY and Mr. WIGRAM opposed the
petition.

The MASTER of the Rotas considered this a case
of considerable importance, not F 0 much on ac-
count of the sum depending on it as in regard to its
reference to the principle of that Court.

HIS HONOUR reserved his judgment, requesting
he parties to furnish him with all the papers.

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, JAN. 14.

SPIERS V. WALLACE.

In this case, which is a writ of right, appointed
specially to be tried at Bar to-day, the names of
the four Knights and the Recognitors were called
over; but only three of the former and eleven of the
latter attended. Sir John Poland, Sir Jas. South,
and Sir- -, were the Knights present; Sir
Geoffrey Wyattville, the fourth, did not at tend; and
Mr. Justice PARK directed that he should be
tined 301.

The non-attending Recognitors, amongst whom
were Mr. Barclay and Mr. Drummond, were fined in
he sum of 201. each.

Mr. Justice PAKK, however, ordered that a mes-
senger should be despatched for Sir Geoffrey and
Mr. Drummond. After the lapse of nearly an hour
the former made his appearance in Court, and was
immediately addressed by

Mr. Justlce PARK, who observed that he had very
mproperly and inconveniently kept the Court wait-
flgfor a considerable time.

—Sir Geoffrey Wyattville, bursting into tears, ex-
plained that his son was then dying.
The Learned JUDGE immediately begged that he
would say no more. He exceedingly regretted the
cause, and ordered the fine not to be imposed.
Sr Geoffrey, much affected, was perfectly willing,
notwithstanding, to take his seat, and begged that
the trial might proceed. He had, however, made a
mistake as to the day the trial was fixed for, as he
certainly believed it to be to-morrow.
Sir James South, on behalf of himself and bro-
ther Jurymen, begged that, in consequnnee of what
Sir Geoffrey \Vyattville had stated, the trial might
be postponed.
Mr. Justice PARK intimated that the Court were
about to do so; but as the Jury had had a great
deal of trouble, he was anxious that they should'fix
a day which was most convenient to themselves.

Finally, Monday, the 2.2 d of April, was appointed.
The Jury were then dismissed.

COURT OF EXCHEQUER, JAN. 14.

MARSHALL, ASSIGNEE, V. 'WEBB.

This was an action of trover, to recover certain
bills of exchange, to the amount of 4201., under the
following circumstances :—On the 16th of May,
1831, the bankrupt gave to a Mr. Wilkins, his
clerk, the bills in question, at his manufactory, in
Celbridge, in Ireland, directing him to take them to
the defendants in London. On the 18th Wilkins
delivered the bills. On the 17th the bankrupt
went to Liverpool, and gave the defendant a pro.
inissory note for 3,9991., and on the following day
executed an assignment of all his estates and effects
for the use of his creditors. Shortly afterwards he
went to America, from whence he has never re-
turned. At the trial before Baron Vaughan, it
was urged on behalf of the plaintiff that the de-
livery of the bills to Wilkins was a fraudulent pre-
ference ; the transaction being voluntary on the
part of the bankrupt. The Jury, however, found
that there was not a fraudulent preference, arid gave
a verdict for the defendant.
Mr. PoLLocii obtained a rule in the List term, to
set the verdict aside.
Mr. Sergeant GOULBURN and Mr. Fish showed
cause.—Rule made absolute on payment of costs.

-
A private of the Royal Marines died of
cholera on Sunday last, after a short illness. One or two
soldiers of the line have also, we regret to say, died during
the week of the tam fatal filscrJer.—Pertemoit'i Herald.

WESTMINSTER ELECTION.

Yesterday, at the Crown and Anchor, the se-
veral Members of the General and Central Com-
mittees, by whom the election of Sir Francis Bur-
dett and Sir John Cam Hobhouse was conducted,
dined together to celebrate that event. Mr. T. Dun-
combe in the Chair. On his right was Sir J. Hob•
house ; but the other Hon. Baronet was absent in
consequence of illness.
The CHAIRMAN gave as first toast,
People, the only legitimate source of power."—
(Applause.) Three times three.
The CHAIRMAN, in giving the next toast, felt it
was only necessary for him to mention the name of
William IV., in order to call forth their warmest
plaudits. They were now in possession of the new
Charter of their liberties, and it remained for them
to improve its provisions to the utmost, and to take
advantage of all the political benefits which in its
present state it was calculated to confer. They
could not, however, shut their eyes to its imperfec-
tions—no rational man could look upon it as per-
fect, and no reforming man could regard the mea-
sure as final.—(Applause.) But whether that were
so or otherwise, there could be but one opinion on
the conduct of his Majesty, and there was not one
of his subjects who was not ready to acknowledge
that the Sovereign was entitled to the warmest gra-
titude of the people. The toast was then drank
with three times three, and much applause.
" The health of the Duke of Sussex" was the
next toast. It was received with the warmest
applause.
Mr. STEPHENSON returned thanks.
The CHAIRMAN said, I rise to propose the health
of the Ministers. Toryism, ever factious and never
scrupulous, has also not hesitated to circulate re-
ports that some Ministers have declared that we
have arrived at the ne plus ultra of Reform. But
I, for one, will not believe in such reports; if I did,
I would not be the man to propose the health of
those Ministers. I will not believe them until I
have them confirmed by the lips of his Majesty's
Ministers themselves. Until then I will not be-
lieve such pusillanimous declarations have been
made, or any such treason towards the people been
in contemplation ; but if such speeches have been
made, Ido not hesitate to declare, that such speeches
are only worthy of being framed, glazed, and placed
in the same cabinet-window as the Duke of We's
lington's memorable declaration against all Reform,
when his Grace condescended to inform the world,
that if he had been called upon to construct a new re-
presentative system, he should take the old British
Boroughmongering one as his model—that being hi•
Grace's beau ideal of free representation. I would
ask—is it likely that these Ministers, who have al-
ready consulted the wishes of the people, would
turn round and leave to others to complete the work
of national improvement which last year they sir
nobly commenced ? No ; I believe they will not ;
I believe they will steadily persevere, without turn-
ing either to the right or to the left, until they have
gained and secured that which we have a right It
expect ;—aye, that which the people are determiner.
to possess—cheap, good, and liberal government.
Under this impression I propose " the health of
Earl Grey, and the rest of his Majesty's Ministers.'
The CHAIRMAN then rose to propose the health
of Sir Francis Burdett, whose absence he much re-
petted upon that interesting occasion. " The
health of the Honourable Baronet" was then drank
with much applause.
Mr. JONES BURDETT returned thanks.
Mr. POUNCEY proposed "the health of Sir John
Cam Hobhouse, with three times three.—(Great
applause.)
Sir JOHN C. HOBBOUSE then rose to return
thanks. He appeared much affected by the enthu-
siastic manner in which he was received; so much,
so, that his first sentences were scarcely audible.
The result of the late struggle in Westminster wa,
very important, in so far as it proved to be a vindi-
cation of those claims in the Reform Bill which con-
ferred such large powers on the metropolitan con-
stituency. He recollected hearing in the House ot
Commons from men of great talent, influence, arid
Parliamentary ability, that if the Reform Bill worked well
elsewhere, in the metropolis, at least, it would signally
fail. That as far as the metropolis of England was con-
cerned, that citadel of the English Constitution, as it
might fairly be call,d, would be confided into the keeping
of political adventure's alone. He had heard it said it!
Parliament, and echoed elsewhere, that any man, how-
ever low, base, or cunning, who should pander—he woul
not ssy to the current opinions of the day, but to the mere
vagaries of the hour—that any base anti profligate adven
surer might erect h's throne in the metropolis, and gather
round him a multitude of willing subjects. He appealed
with confidence to them, whether that was the case ? o
whether there was one single political adventurer in the
metropolis who survived the exposure of his delinquencie,
for twenty-four hours? Indeed, if any part of the em
pire had shown the wonderful working of the Reform Bill
—if any part of the empire had proved that the Reform
Bill was founded, not only on just principles, but framed
with fair attention to mechanism, it was the metropolis.
It seems to me that the result of the elections will give
somewhat like a fair chance of showing how tie Reform
Bill is calculated to operate. Indeed, of all the stupen-
dous measures that human ingenuity ever devised, the Re.
form Bill is surely the most stupendous and the most effec
tive, both in its principles and its machinery. It has at
last produced a popular House of Commons. It has called
the people of England, not in person, but by representa-
tion, to speak their own minds in their own House cif
Commons.—( Cheers.) If there should be any thing in
that measure with which to find fault—any thing that
good anti honest and temperate men, whose principle,
and whose motives of action will bear investigation, should
desire to alter or amend—you will instruct your repre-
sentatives to that effect, and they will, no doubt, at
tempt to effect the desired improvements. Our Hon
Chairman has justly said, that he considers nothing
final—nor do I.—(lmmense cheering.) Recollect, Gen-
tlemen, there is no saying now and for ever. The
very condition and inconstant nature of humanity does
not allow of perpetuity in its mural, its physical, and
far les3, in its political frames. The same know-
ledge of our common condition which induces you to ad
mit the truth of this sentiment, and resolves to carry it
into practice, will also induce you to give a fair trial to
that which, if not your offspring by birth, is at least yours
by adoption. The Reform Bill was, in the first instance,
the Bill of the Ministers ; but it subsequently became the
Reform Bill of the nation. By my re-election after ac-
cepting office, it became the Reform Bill of the constitu-
ency of Westminster. There is certainly no reason wl.y
the Bill should not be improved; but at the same time I
am sure you are not those who are ready to rush into airy
new experiment, before the old one (three days only, yet
some people call it old) be found to fail.—(Cheers )
have much pleasure in proposing the health of our excel
lent Chairman, " Mr. Duncombe, and thanks to him
his efforts in the cause of Reform, and for his presence here
this day."
The CHAIRMAN briefly returned thanks, and con-
cluded by complimenting his Right Han. Friend on his
manly declaration as to the finality of the Reform 8.11,
and declared that be conscientiously believed his coned
tuents would still continue to find him the same consistent
Reformer he bad ever been.—(Much cheering.)
Mr. CURREY proposed " the health of one of the
Metropolitan Members, Mr. Sergeant Spankie."
Mr. Sergeant Srermie returned thanks.
Colonel JONES, with great pleasure, rose to give the
health of a young Nobleman then present. Mole he
named that earnest and honest Reformer, he begged to
congratulate the electors of Westminster upon the result
of their recent struggle. The time was at band when a
great struggle was to be maintained betwten antagonist
principles—when those who were opposed to all change,
and whom he should call Oetstructives, were to stand ar-
rayed against the class to whom the appellation of Dr-
structives had been given ; ktween those a conflict would
most assuredly take place ; but these was no rational man
who entertained a doubt as to the result--liberty mt.st
triumph ; and, in order to that triumph, it was impot tant
that the system of aeitatinn in Ireland should be put an
end to. He hoped that unworthy agitators titers, tie elne•
Is here, n cull ce exposed to public contempt, by beine
deprived of the means ot agit eien.—(Ap, laus.e.) He pro-
posed to them " the health of Lord W. Lennox."
Lord WILLIAM LENNOX briefly retur ed thanks.
Mr. Memoir then proposed" the health of Mr. Todd,
and the Electors of Honiton."
Mr. TODD having acknowledged the compliment.
The CHAIRMAN proposed " the health ot Mr. De

" The

Year and the other Gentlemen who bad aided in conduct- '
ing the election of Sir F. Burdett and Sir J. Hobhouse."
Mr. DE Vgitn, in the name of his brother-stewards
and himself, returned thanks to the company then as-
sembled.
The Chairman soon afterwards quitted the room, so-
'
coropanied by the principal guests ; but the festivity of
the evening waskept up to a late hour.

COMMERCE OF FRANCE.

A memorial was addressed to the Chamber of Peers en
the Customs' Duties, by the Merchants of Bordeaux, dated
Nov. 20. The following are the most striking passages
in this document.
" For a considerable time back we have observed the
sources of commercial barter to be wore and more con-
tracted, whilst the increasing produce of the country, and
the want of consumption called for a much greater exten-
sion of exports and imports. We apprise you now of the
fundamental cause of the crisis which has arisen in the
State, and we beseech you in the name of a suffering coun-
try, to apply a speedy and sure remedy to this abuse, to
this universal stagnation, which ruins the rich, destroys
the poor, encourages rice and disorders, and if continued
will fill the country with agitations of which we cannot
foresee the end.
" Engaged as we are in commerce exclusively, but par-
ticularly in the foreign trade, it is only to the latter sub-
ject that we presume to draw your attention. We approach
for the thousandth time to denounce before yen the
disastrous consequences of a tariff of customs, which fetters
and neutralises all our efforts, withers even in the bud all
our prospective operations, and leaves us in a state of
abandonment in the midst of circumstances so fine end
fruitful, anti which present to us the promise of industry
and opulence, but which a vicious system of legislation
forbids France from attaining.
" The mischievous system of which we complain has
now long existed. Adopted in the era of the empire,
and solely as a temporary measure during the war, it be•
came, after the restoration, a calamity voluntarily imposed
on France in order to gratify the old colonial interests,
which, thanks to impolitic legislation, will ultimately
bring about the ruin of France, without the passibility of
those interests themselves being saved from the inevitable
vicissitudes that await them.
" The prohibitive system, which ruins and suspends
consumption by rendering it more burdensome, it is pre-
tended, is destined to protect industry, and to bring forth
the day when commerce shall be free by the p rfection and
cheapness of productions. In the meantime it destroys
foreign commerce, it isolates nations, placing them in a
permanent state of hostility, and even in the heart of
France it does not enrich those who gain by it, except at
the expense of the rest of the country. Besides, it has
been shown by a number of intelligent men, that so far
from arriving at commercial liberty, this system of fiscality
and restriction will lead only to a restoration and a taxa-
tion always on the increase.
" All our merchantmen, squeezed into the ports of
three wretched colonies, can find in them neither cargo
nor freight, nor sale for our merchandises. There is no
importation possible of our French produce, for we cannot
value the populations of Bourb or, Cayenne, Martinique,
and Guadeloupe, at more than 400,000 souls; and
amongst these there are not more than 78,000 whites, or
free blacks, to consume them. The negro pol elation can-
not consume our produce, except some blue cottons.
Thus, then, it is far the purpose of returning this pitie:
consumption of 78,000 individuals that we conent to re-
strict all at once our consumption of sugar in France, and
to let our exportation be destroyed to those mural its
where more than five millions of rich and well-disposed
consumers offer a bounty to French industry.
" Tire necessary inference to be drawn from these state-
ments and principles is (for we cannot conceal it) the ini•
mediate, total, and radical suppression of the colonial pri-
vile,e ; and whatever efforts are now In :king to hinder
this result, we boldly predict that sooner or later this event
must take place, and perhaps, too, before long ; for it i-
impossible that the interests of France, and of the com-
mercial world in general, can continue to be sacrificed to
exploded errors, which, in the days of such civil:z aim) a-
we see err and us, cannot'be regarded in any other libht
than as a ruinous anachronism."
(Signed by 140 persons.)

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

MANSION H OUSE.

REMARKABLE CASE OF FORGERY.—A man named
Robert Spencer was brought before the LORD
MAYOR, charged with having forged the acceptanc.-
of T. W. Coke, E,q , of Norfolk, for the sum of 405/.
Mr. Bw.h, the Solicitor to the Committee of
Bankers, attended for the prosecution. Sir Wil-
liam Curtis, Bart., was present during the exami-

nation.
Mr. Bevan, of the firm of Barclay and Co., the
bankers, handed in a letter, enclosing a note, of which
the following is a copy, and which he deposed
reached their house by the post on Friday

" To W. eoke, Esq., Holkham.
" Sir,—You will greatly oblige by paying to my order
one month after date the sum of 4051. for value receive('
by purchase of land.

" MARY ANNE BLOOM

" Walsingham, Norfolk."
This document appeared to be accepted by Mr.
Coke, of Norfolk, was indorsed to Messrs. Enfield,
Sampson, Ilanbury, and Co., of Brick-lane, and made
payable at Messrs. Gurney and C‘).'s, bankers,
Fakenharn (a house which is connected with Messrs.
Barclay's), or elsewhere.
Witness suspected that the hill was a forgery,
and wrote to Mr. Sampson Hanbury a copy of the
letter, and a statement of the occurrence. The
following was the letter, enclosing the bill to Messrs.
Barclay and Co.:—
" Sir,—l beg to say that the enclosed bill, which I have
indorsed, should you think proper to cash, I will stand ac-
countable for. The holler of it will call upon you in .the
course of the day. Should you not think fit to comply
herewith, I will thank you to return the bill to me.
" I am, your obedient servant,
" SAMPSON HANBURY.

" Brick-lane, Jan. I I."
Witness sent to Mr. Hanbury by a porter belonging
to the house, who said, on returning, that he had
given the letter to one of the clerks at Brick-lane.
Next morning the prisoner called at the house, and
handed a note to witness, purporting to be written
by the direction of Mr. Sampson Hatibuty,in answer
to the letter which witness had sent to that gentle-
man. It was as follows :
" Sir,—ln answer to your letter of last night, respect-
ing the bill of acceptance, indorsed by Mr. Sampson Han-
bury, I beg leave to say that the same is perfectly right.
Tae bearer of this note is the person to whom the bill be-
longs. --- , Clerk.
" For Sampson Banbury, Saturday morning."
The Loup MAYOR—And, notwithstanding this
very ingenious mode of proceeding, you still sus-
pected the genuineness of the bill ?—Witness knew
it to be a forgery. He then, upon reading the letter,
told the prisoner to sit down ; but the prisoner, sus-
pecting that a discovery bad been made, dropped
down upon his knees, and by implication confessed
that he had committed the forgery; for he said that
he had never dune such a thing before, and never
would do such a thing again. He had previously
asked whether he should call again, but witness an-
swered in the negative. He begged to be let off
for the sake of his wife and family, and declared that
he bad done the thing in consequence of distress. He
also stated that he had been a publican at Godalming.
The LORD MAYOR—He was determined to secure
himself against present want at any rate, when he
tried to get 4051. What have you to say to this
charge, prisoner ? Prisoner—l decline saying any
thing at present.
The LORD MAYOR—This is a heavy charge against
you. Prisoner—l know it, my Lord, but I beg to
state that I shall not say any thing now.
Upon the prisoner's person was found an answer
from Mr. Sampson Hanbury to a begging letter,
which appeared to have been sent to that gentleman
by the prisoner, and there were, upon various parts
of the sheet of paper on which the letter was written,
imitations of the signature of the writer, which was
done in a most masterly manner. Tnere were also
upon pieces of paper found in the prisoner', pocket
imitations of the writing of Mr. Coke, of Norfolk,
and of that of Mrs. Bloom, and amongst them was
part of a frank of Mr. Coke, to the signature to
which the forgery bore the greatest resemblance.
The LORD MAYOR observed that a great deal of
ingenuity had been practised in this case, and it was
evident that the prisoner had received assistance
from some person who was connected with one or
other of the houses. The begging letters had been