The Sun.
London, England, 1846-11-14 00:00:00

TH SUN:, LO_N DON'. sAlirftriAlt

WESTMINSTER IMPROVEMENTS (for
the application if certain Rates towards the improve-
ments authorised by the Westminster Improvement Act, 1845,
and to extent the improvements). Notice is hereby given, th tt
APPLICATION is intended to be made to Parliament in the
ensuiag Session for an Act or Acts to alter, amend, and enlarge
the powers and provisions of an Act passed in the 9th year of
her present Malesty, intituled "An Act for Improving parts of the
city of Westminster." And it is proposed in or by the said Act or
Acts to confer further and additional powers on the Commissioners
appointed cr hereafter to be appointed, under the authority of the
said Act, for the purpose of enabling them more effectually to
carry out the improvements thereby authorised, and for extending
the same; and It is further proposed to authorise and empower
the said Commissioners to take down and remove a certain
house and buildings situate in the Broad Sanctuary, between West-
minster Abbey and Flood-street, and at present occupied by Mr.
Dean, and also that part of the north side of Tothill-street, from the
east end thereof to, and inclusive of number 58 in that street, with
the gateway adjoining thereon westward, and the lands, stabling, and
tenements, in the rear of Tothill-street aforesaid ; and also to take
down, remove, sad temporarily or permanently shut up Flood-street,
Great Smith-street, Princer-street, Princes-place,Dean-street,Orchard
street, St. Ann-street, Old Pye-street, New Pye street, Pear-street,
Cottage-court, Union-court, New square, George-court, and James-
court, and all houses, yards, lands, courts, buildings, and premises
which are bounded on the north by Orchard-street, on the south IfF
Great Peter-street, on the east by Great Smith- street, and on the west
by Stratton Ground, all in the several parishes of Saint Margaret and
Saint John the Evangelist, in the City and Liberties of West-
minster, in the county of Middlesex, or one of them ; and also to
divert, alter, stop up, or enclose, or widen and improve such parts
of the present streets, courts, alleys, ways, or passages, and
void ground as will form entrances to or will communicate with
the intended new street or streets authorised to be made by
the Westminster Improvement Act, 1845, or as shall be necessary
to lee stopped up and enclosed or widened and improved for
the purposes of the said Act or Acts ; and also to raise or lower
the ground of any streets or ways or subways which shall
communicate with the said intended street or streets, or as shall
be necessary to be raised or lowered for the purposes of the
said Act or Acts, and to make such alterations in the levels,
drains, and sewerage, subways, roads, footways, and pavements
of such streets as may require such alterations ; and also to
empower the said Commissioners to treat, contract, and agree
with the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, the Governors
of the Grey Coat Hospital, in Tothill-flelds, of the royal founda
Bon of Queen Anne, the governors or trustees of the hospital
of Saint Margaret's, in the city of Westminster, in the county of
Middlesex, of the foundation of King Charles, the master and fel-
lows of Corpus Christi or Bennett's College, Cambridge, and the
governors or trustees of Emanuel Hospital, or Lord and Lady
Deere's charity estate,' the governor or trustees of Emery Hill's
almshouses, the trustees of Palmer's Charity, the governors or trui.
tees of the Blue Coat School, or other governors or trustees of any
charity estate or other incapacitated persons, whose lands or pro-
perty may be required for the said intended street or streets, or other
improvements connected therewith, or contemplated by the said Act
or Acts for the sale to or the settlement upon them of new houses or
buildings upon the proposed line of the said streets or either of them,
in lieu of all or any of the lands, houses, or property intended to be
taken from them by the said Commissioners for the purposes of the
said Act or Acts,
And it is further intended by the said Act or Acts to obtain powers
for the purchase of lands and houses, either by compulsion or agr, e-
ment, through or into which the said proposed improvements will
be made or carried. And also such lands and houses within the said
parishes aforesaid, ar.d to such extent as may be necessary for carry-
ing out the before•mentioned improvements and all other improve
ments contemplated by the said Act or Acts.
And it is also intended to vary or extinguish all existing rights
_ .

and privileges in any manner connected with or incident to such
lands and hoases which would in any manner impede or interfere
with the objects aforesaid, and to confer other rights and privileges.
And it is further proposed, in or by the said Act or Acts, to take
powers to authorise the levying, collecting, and appropriation or
application of any rates or increased rates, or of any annual or
other sum or sums of money :out of, or in addition to, the
rates levied and collected, or hereafter to be levied and collected,
under and by virtue of the powers and provisions of an Act made and
passed in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of his late Majesty King
George IL, intituled "An Act for the better Relief and Employment
of the Poor in the parishes of St. Margaret and St. John the Evan-
gelist, in the city of Westminster, and for cleansing the streets and
repairing the highways within the said parishes," or otherwise, and
to apply the same towards the improvements authorised by the sat'
Westminster Improvement Act, ISO. And also, so fur as may be
necessary for the purposes aforesaid, to repeal, alter, amend, of
extend the powers and provisions of the last recited Act of 25
George IL, and to confer, vary, or extinguish other rights and pri-
vileges.

Bitted this tenth day of November, 1846.
BRIDGES, MASON, and BRIDGES, Red Lion-square,
Solicitors for the Bill.
J. PARKES, Parliamentary Agent, 21, Great George-street,
Westminster.

THE WEATIIER.—SUN OFFICE, NOVEMBER 14.
NIERMOMETER, Lowest, 44; Highest, 45 ; Noon, 4
BAROMETER, 30 29 —WIND E.N.E., hazy.

111 .+t WATEIi. AT I.‘)NIA)N-111t11)(0.: TliIS DAY.
Nforning .. 26 minutes after 10. I Evening .. 57 minutes after 10,

obstruction. The heavy and apparently massive
character of its architecture already contrasts vilely
with the florid and graCeful Gothic of the new Par-

liament llouses. This, indeed, wouldbe more apparent
on the completion of those beautiful and magnificent
edifices, and especially on the erection of the Victoria
Tower. The ornamental elaboration which imparts
so much of elegance and splendour to these recent.
structures, would inevitably and in truth have already
rendered the bridge a most undesirable foil, beyond
which the latter accumulation of stone materially
interferes with the view of one of the most costly
public buildings of recent production.
A notification, dated Nov. 10, 1846, and issued
from Whitehall, by order of the Commissioners of her
MAJESTY'S Woods, Forests, Land Revenues, Works,
and Buildings, contains the gratifying announcement
of the intention of those Commissioners to take this
long-vexed question into their own hands, and, with
the assistance of Imperial Parliament, to make
the desired alterations. It is proposed, in this notifi-
cation, that the existing bridge be pulled down and
removed, and that the materials, properties, effects,
funds, securities, stocks, and estates thereunto apper-
taining, be sold. Any arrangement that would
e tree tually conduce to the annihilation of this execrable
fabric, anything that would remove from the surface
and bed of the river such an atrocious and continual
remembrancer of so profligate an expenditure of the
national moneys ; anything that would so relieve the
Palace at Westminster of such an unseemly and in-
commodious neighbour, will, we are confident, be wel-
comed with exultation by the population of this me-
tropolis. The site proposed for the new bridge is as

follows :—Across the River Thames from, or from
near the eastern end of Whitehall-place to the south
bank or shore in the parish of St. Mary, Lam-
beth, in the county of Surrey. By this
excellent suggestion, a more suitable angle of the
Rh er will be spanned, the Parliament Houses will be
relieved from an intolerable associate, the capital will
be wonderfully improved and beautified, and the
general convenience be more particularly consulted.
New streets will severally connect the proposed bridge
with the south- east side of Charing-cross, and with
the north side of the York-road, thereby opening a
direct line of communication between Pall-mall and
the Waterloo-road.
With reference to the expense thereby entailed
upon the Exchequer, it will be a matter of secondary
consideration, inasmuch as any alteration of the
kind, however immediately costly, would ultimatel3
prove economical. However much the change of si-
tuation in the bridge connecting Westminster with
Lambeth, may augur calamities to trade
among the Surrey shopkeepers, it cannot be
forgotten that ample time is afforded them for any
suitable arrangement. We are rejoiced at this de-
termination on the part of the Commissioners of
Woods and Forests ; it will destroy an abortive effort
in the architecture of bridges, and materially benefit
the appearance and convenience of London.

The English are a peculiarly jealous people of their
rights and privileges. Their devotion to the Throne,
innate sense of loyalty, love of order, respect for the
law, and profound admiration for their Constitution,
are not only axiomatic truths in the mind of every
native of our own land, but are likewise political
data, the first and most easily observed and recognised
by every foreigner who has ever visited our shores, or
written upon our history and character. So deeply
seated, indeed, is the patriotic attachment
of the Englishman to the institutions of his
country, and their several incidents—such his
enthusiastic ardour for the vast political fabric
under which his ancestors, time out of mind, have
realised social blessings and immunities, and handed
down, unimpaired, to be cumulatively developed by
the enlightened wisdom of every succeeding age—that
the intensity of his enthusiasm has frequently ope-
rated as a serious hindrance to the progress of human
improvement. Time-honoured prejudices were suf-
fered to invest the mind long after we had, as a
nation, outlived the public necessities by which they
were first created. However obvious became the
desirableness of various suggestive reforms, they
were oftentimes provokingly retarded, not on account
of special abuses not being admittedly flagrant,
but solely from an almost instinctive reverence
for the Constitution, coupled with the apprehension
that, in the bare attempt to purify it fro.ii unwhole-
some incrustations, an unexpected shock, to some ma-
terial part of its framework, might be, either uncle-
signidly or insidiously imparted. On the other
hand, the existence of this sentiment, whilst civilisa-
tion was slowly progressing, has, doubtless, at times,
saved us from many an infliction, attendant upon
hasty awl ill-devised schemes of public policy, and
presented a successful barrier against their accom-
plishment. But now, when the national intellect is
taking such gigantic strides, antipathies, however en-
titled to respect, are fast subsiding, and an en-
lightened people will no longer suffer needless
procrastination to defer legislation when it is urgently
required for the protection of their rights, highly
prized and justly cherished.
The bold and moral attitude assumed by the
unrepresented masses of this community when
they claimed the Reform Bill from the Legis-
lature, will never be forgotten. Their sagacity
taught them that such a measure once obtained,
great moral results would speedily attest the wis-
dom of the concession. Their foresight has not mis-
carried. The firmness with which the demand
was made for a liberal and extended fran-
chise sprang from the petitioners' innate
consciousness that, though the desired boon
was large, it would be righteously exercised by them
to the promotion of the general weal. The sequel
has shown that this was no hazy or egotistical vision.
It is, however, becoming daily apparent that
the high-minded. spirit that ordinarily excites
the electors at large to an honourable fulfil-
ment of their duties, is receiving an indirect
but grievous check, owing to the expensive
and cumbrous machinery of registration which must
at present be worked, before a great portion of the
electoral body can stabilitate their votes for returning
Members to the House of Commons. The consequence
has been that, in some intances, both counties and
boroughs, scared by the expense, have been brought
under the corrupting influence of the aristocrat's
purse, and constituencies have been bought and sold
with as much sang-froid and nonchalance as though
they were so many heads of cattle, or other marketable
commodity. The most recent and remarkable proof
of this growing evil has been furnished by the cele-
brated Berkeleian correspondence. The exposure
herein afforded has startled and disgusted every well-
regulated mind. The registration forms must be
speedily and thoroughly remodelled that we may be
spared the repetition of such shameful electoral
abuse as has been actually systematised in West
Gloucestershire. The unconstitutional traffic that
has been perpetrated in this county has effected this
double wrong :—First, it has involved a large consti-
tuencv—most discreditably to themselves, beyond all
doubt—in the meshes of a large landed proprietor ;
and, next, it has raised the commoner (who lorded
it over the fawning parasites), by two gradations, to
the dignity of arl Earl in the British Peerage. Thus
has an evil example been set, in a political sense, of a
most revolting character, calculated to be pernicious
in every way. Nevertheless, our hope is, that
out of evil good will come, and that Parliament will
address itself to the task of providing an adequate
remedy against the continuance of this audacious
prostitution of sacred rights.
Mr. GRANTLEY BERKELEY, M.P., published a long
letter, on the 9th instant, to his "independent" electors.
It entirely confirms the views me embraced of the
meeting that was held at Gloucester on the 3d inst.,
and shortly afterwards submitted to our readers. The
meeting was neither more nor less than a piece of
preconcerted affectation. They wished to make them-
selves out independent, whereas the exclusion of the
press generally, their own private reporters excepted,
and every other step which they took, sufficiently
stamped their proceedings, and has since revealed
their ill-concealed and unpatriotic designs. Lord
FITZUARDINGE is fairly thrown on his haunches by
1 the reply he has provoked from his brother as to the
pecuniary assistance he vaunted of having given him.
We cannot comment further upon this letter of three
columns length. We remain of the same opinion as
we were before, that if West Gloucestershire wishes
to right itself with the public, they must receive no
more money from Earl FITZHARDINGE, nor return

- —•—
any member of his family to represent them in

future.

We yesterday alluded to the meeting of the Royal
Agricultural Society of Ireland, and the important
change that has been effected in the fundamental
rules of that body, by permitting the discussion of

any matter brought forward or pending in either
House of Parliament, so far as it related to the em-

ployment of the people on the drainage, subsoiling, I.
and clearing of the land, and the production of food.
These are subjects, as we have already said, peculiarly
within the province of an association founded for the
express purpose of promoting in every manner the .
agricultural interests, and the agricultural improve-
ments of the country. It might with some show of
reason have been urged, that so long as the Legisla-
ture abstained from dealing in any manner with
land, that its cultivation and management were
left wholly in the hands of the owners, and
occupiers, and that they were left free from any kind
of interference, that such a restriction was correct
and proper. But the instant that Parliament pro-
posed to legislate in respect of land, to effect altera-
tions in the laws relating to the occupation thereof,
and to enact measures which might be calculated to
encourage the cultivation of the soil, to extend a
better system of agriculture, and to improve the re-

lation between landlord and tenant, it became the
duty of the society to emancipate itself from the
trammels by which it had heretofore been fettered, to
give the benefit of iits experience and the weight of

its authority to measures likely to effectuate -these
objects, and to stamp with their disapprobation any
project by which injury might be inflicted on
a class without a more than proportionate
advantage to the nation in general. Such discussions,
so long as they were confined to points affecting the
landed interests of the country, and avoided all
questions which by a possibility could lead to
differences of a political or religious character, would
be most beneficial and valuable. The society, how•
ever, abstained therefrom, as many excellent and
efficient members feared that any relaxation of the
stringency of the rule would be abused, and that
political questions would be intruded that might lead
to bickerings and dissensions, and seriously impair
the general efficiency of the body. Perhaps it may
be as well for the country that the change was not
effected until the present time, when the pressing
difficulties by which the kinedom is encompassed,
and the evidences already afforded by Mr. O'Coyeeee
and his followers of the perfect good faith with
which they would observe the pledges into which they
might enter, have enforced the necessity of a cordial
co-operation of all classes, and have removed, or con-
siderably mitigated, the prejudices and distrust that
existed on every side.
The other resolutions to which we briefly adverted
are essential to the due and efficient carrying out of
the objects of the society, and naturally followed the
abolition of the restrictive rule. By the first, the
" society is formed into a committee, who are to seek
information respecting the extent of the benefit
derived from the present mode of providing employ-
ment, and the deficiencies of the same, to report upon
such amendments as were desirable, and submit to
the consideration of the proper authorities, from time
to time, such representations as those inquiries
might supply—thus embodying the collective expe-
rience and observation of the society at large."
Here, then, is a realisation of the project for a national
committee, which, if duly followed up, would prove
so beneficial to the nation, and the speedy formation
and valuable results of which we have so warmly
advocated in The San. We could scarcely have antici-
pated that the body would have been so speedily con-
stituted, and be at the very moment of its creation so
efficient, and command such weight and influence.
The adoption of the resolution makes the society in
everything but name the National Committee of Ire
land, and gladly do we hail its existence, and tender
it our best wishes fur its favourable progress in the
path in which it has started.
We have long felt the equity and justice of re-
lieving the landowner who discharges conscientiously
and honourably the duties imposed upon him by the
possession of his property, who gives to his dependents
and neighbours the amount of employment fairly pro-
portioned to the quantity of land in his hands, from the
burdens rendered necessary by the apathy of his
brother proprietors. Their neglect of the labouring
population in their respective localities enforced the
legislative interference ; a labour-rate was required
because they would not afford employment on their
•iwn estates to the people belonging thereto. It was
therefore palpably unjust that the man who per-
formed everything that could be expected or desired
at his hands should be doubly taxed, and the calling
on such a person to pay his proportion of the labour-
rate, without making any allowance fur the expendi-
ture already undertaken by him, was not merely
inequitable, but most injurious in its operation. It
too often compelled him to discontinue the useful
works he had commenced, to discharge his work-
men, and to cast them upon the public
works, to the expense of which he was
forced to contribute. With this impres-
sion we long since urged the propriety of exempting
the person who distributed in wages to his own
labourers, selected from amongst the persons for whom
it was necessary to provide employment in the district
in which his lands were situated, from the amount
for which his lands would be liable to the labour rate.
We have pointed out the good effects of such a regu-
lation, and we are happy to say many influential
persons have adopted our sentiments in that particular.
We may now number amongst the supporters of the
principle " The Agricultural Society of Ireland."
The last resolution adopted at the meeting
on Wednesday goes the full length of the
views we have advocated. They have re-
solved that the townlands should be made the
units of subdivisions as to assessment in place of
electoral divisions, and that any proprietor undertak-
ing the amount of cess to be levied off each townland
should be exonerated from the assessment of the
baronies.

We cannot doubt that a proposition so just and
reasonable in itself, and now so influentially supported,
will speedily be sanctioned and adopted : in such a
case, there is little doubt that the great majority
would give the required undertakings, and that they
would direct to works of a useful and reproductive
character that labour for which they must pay, how-
ever it may be occupied; and thus that vast quantity
of labour will be made a source of national wealth
and prosperity, in place of being, as heretofore, a
burden on the resources of the country.

Intelligence from Lisbon to the Bth instant bile
been received. The QUEEN'S army, amounting to
4,000 men, and commanded by SALDANHA, who had
been created a Duke and Viceroy of the northern
provinces, had marched from Lisbon to attack the
Conde DAS ANTAS, who had his head-quarters at
Leira. The KING remained at Lisbon, and did not
accompany the army, as had been announced. The
disaffected were in possession of Santarem.
The Diario publishes a decree suspending the
guarantees for another month ; also a second
decree, ordering all peasants caught in arms to be
shot. It also publishes a letter, which states that
there are 200,000 stand of arms among the
people—every man is armed. The resistance will
be obstinate. A large array of titled persona have
joined and lead the people. Juntas were formed in
almost every town of the kingdom. The QUEEN'S
troops are to bombard Evora on the 7th. Private
letters state that the whole kingdom is in arms to
support DAS ANTAS; that the Government troops
have suffered frequent repulses; and that the cause
of the QUEEN is at the last extremity.

--
Madrid papers to the 7th inst. have arrived. They
are filled with accounts of a squabble between
Count IhEssoN and the Tiernpo, which would be
simply absurd, did it not show the wanton and arro-
gant manner in which the French Proconsul sets all
the laws of Spain at defiance, and glories in forcing
the members of the Spanish Government to minister
to the degradation of their country. The Tiempo, it
appears, had published an article accusing Count
BRESSON of having used his interest with Government
to screen a contrabandista from punishment. If
Count BRESSON felt himself aggrieved, the ordinary
tribunals were open to him, but the ordinary tribunals
would not suit the purpose of Count BRESSON, or of
his employers, who seek on every occasicn to insult,
and, if possible, extinguish the sentiment of Spanish
nationality, and accordingly he demands of the Go-

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