The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-12 00:00:00

COURT CIRCULAR,

The Queen, accompanied by the Prince of Wales, the Princess
Royal, and the Princess Alice, and attended by the Dowager Lady
Lyttelton, took an airing yesterday in an open earriage and fbur.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert wha on horseback, and the Equer-
ries in Waiting, Colonel Buckle 7 and the Hon. Captain Gordon, at.
tended on horseback.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert went yesterday afternoon to lay
the foundation-stone of the church for the seamen of the port of
Marquis of A.bereorn,
London, in Dock-F,treet. His Royal Highness was attended by the
Gordon. Captain Francis Seymour, and the Hon. Capt.
Her Royal
. .
yesterday. llignness, the Duchess of Kent visted her Majesty
The Queen and Prince Albert, attended by the Viscountess Can-
ning. Ron. Miss Kerr, the Marquis of Ormonde, Colonel Buckley, and
the Hors. Captain Gordon, honoured the'Performances of the French
Plays with their pres‘Jnoe yesterday evening. Her Royal Highness
the Duchess of Kent, attended by Lady Augusta Bruce, Lady Anna
Maria Dawson, and Captain the Hon. James I'. Murray, also
honoured the r ranch Plays with her presence last evening.
Her Majes4Rehearsal of th
Concert of Ancient Music, at the Hanover-square Room, with her
R
attended by th
ar Lady Clinton, Hon. Mary Seymour, Hon.
presence Yesterday morning. Her Majesty was
Dow the Queen Dowager honoured the
Charlotte Hod-
Son, the taxi of Denbigh, the Hon. William Ashley, and Captain
ge
Somerset. •

Her Majesty the Queen Dowager visited her Royal Highness the
Duchess of Gloucester yesterday at Gloucester House.
Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at-
tended by Lady Augusta Cadogan and Mr. Edmund klildmay, ho-
noured the Austrian Ambassador and the Countess Dietrichstein
with their company yesterday evening.
A deputation from Gas Companies, consisting of Mr. Richards, Mr.
Gray, Mr. Stewart, and Mr. .1. Wilkin, had an interview with the
Earl of Dalhousie, on Saturday, at the office of the Board of
Trade.

The Commissioners of the Metropolitan Railway Termini had a
meeting yesterday. There were present Viscount Canning, the Earl
of Dalhousie, the Right Hon. F. C. Berries, the Lord Mayor, and Sir
F. Smith.

The Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England had a Committee-
meeting Yeeerd iy. There were present the Archbishops of Canter-
bury, the Bishops of London, Winchester, Carlisle, Oxford, Ripon,
Rochester, and Salisbury ; the Earl of Devon, and the Right floa.
H. Hobhouse.
The Chairman of the Customs had an interview with the Chan-
cellor of tte Exchequer yesterday. Mr. Butler, M.P., had also an
interview with the Right lion. Gentleman.
Lord :Ounsandle had an interview with Sir George Clerk yester»
day at the office of the Board of Trade.
Dis,patelies ware received yesterday at the Colonial-office from the
Governors of New South Wales, South and West Australia, and the
Wanitlus.

Tierm
Majesty and Prince Albert, attendod by the
Vis untess Canning, the Hon. Miss Kerr, the Marquis of Ormonde,
Colonel Berkeley, and Captain Gordon, honoured the French plays
with their presence last evening. Her Royal Highness the Duchess
of Kent, attended by the Baroness Spaeth, I. dy Augusta Bruce,
Lady Anna Maria Dawson, and Cit?tain Murray, occupied the box
matt to her Majesty. We observed also present, the Duke and
Duchess of Beaufort, Dowager Marchioness of Donegal, the Earl
oanrcl Chesterfield,mCborluenyt,esLsadotydepunstanu
vLaLly
Lord New dpoarnt, thLeadEyarl and Countess
Cowper, Lord Sidney, Lady Adelaide Paget, mare
Ralph and Lady Howard, Lady Meux, Hon. Mr. Capel,
Hon. Mr.
Windsor yesterday
Pery, Marquis Pallaveino. Sir William Massey Stanley and
and
_ the
utAisnocfklaidnr,o,Losrdrir
Stanley, Sir George and Miss Talbot, Sir Henry Webb, Lady d
Misses Burgoyne.
death --InteHlliogne. nacned reachednevpr.
dayeve
onof the
afternoon of Friday
last, at Nocton Priory, Linceinshof •
Hobart, Dean of Windsor, who ex
MONDAYnig
ofEtv:TING.
expired
dThe late Dean, who was also
of Wantage, in this county, and
of Windsor upon the appointment of Dr.
ceeded to the Deanery
Dean of Wolverhampton, rector of
thireeNvoicetaeiai,geaonfdriwashoelyh,elodijthoerdli,v,siuneg.
Legge to the Bishopric of Oxford In 1816.

MR. MAXWELL'S NEW WORK,
Immediately, in 3 vols., post Bvo.,
APTAIN O'SULLIVAN;
Or,
ENTTURES, CIVIL, MILITARY, AND MATRIMONIAL, OF
CV
A GENTLEMAN ON HALF-PAY.
By W. H. MAXWELL, Esq.,
Author of " Stories of Waterloo," &c.
Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street.

LORD BROUGHAM'S NEW WORK.
Now ready, in royal Bvo., with Portraits, 21s. bound, The
SECOND VOLUME of LORD BROUGHAM'S
LIVES of MEN of LETTERS and SCIENCE,

Who flourished during the Reign of George 111.
WITH ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Comprising Dr. Johnson, Adam Smith (with an analytical view of
his great work), Lavoisier, Gibbon, SirJ. Banks, and D'Alemlbert.
Henry Colburn, PubiLsher, 13, Great Marlborough-street.

DEATH BY THE LAW.—This all-important
subject is fully treated in all its relations—religious, moral,
and social—in No. 7, of " The TOPIC."

- -
.„,. In consequence of the great interest excited on the subject,
this number (price 3d.) is published earlier than usual, and the public
and the trade can now be supplied.

C. Mitchell, Red Lion-court, Fleet-street ; and all booksellers and
newsmen.

RAILWAY SHARES BY PUBLIC SALE.
I%IIT SSRS. LAMOND, SMALE, AND
..JL LAMOND, Railway Share Auctioneers, beg to thank their
Friends and the Public for their continued support and patronage,
and to announce that their Public Sales of Railway Shares, &c.,
take place every TUESDAY and FRIDAY, at One o'clock, at the
Hall of Commeree, Threadneedle-street, London, to which place all
Amours, containing instructions, are respectfully requested t* be
addressed.
Ali Scrip and Share Certificates must be deposited for exa-
mination at least one day previously to their being offered ; and
advices of results will be forwarded by the first post after the sale,
and the proceeds Immediately disposed of according to instructions.
Offices, Mall of Commerce, 'Threadneedle-street, London.

•
liEr. MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
Madame GRISI has tha honour to acquaint the Nobility, Sub-
Scribers, and the Public, that her BENEFIT will take place on
THURSDAY NEXT, MAY 14,
When will be performed Verdi's celebrated Opera, entitled,
I LOMBARDI .• ALLA PRIMA CROCIA rA.
With new scenery, dresses, fce.; the scenery by Mr. Marshall.
Gr:selda, Madame Grist; Sofia, Madame Bellini ; Viclinda, Mdlle.
Corbarl; ()route, Signor Mario ; Arvin°, Signor Corelli ; Pirro,
Sig. Botelli ; Acciano, Sig. Giubilei ; Pagano, Sig. Fornasari.
To be followed by a DIVERTISSEMENT. In which will appear
Mdlles. Cerito, L. Taglloni, Lucile Grahn, Moncelet, Cassan, De-
melisse ; MM. St. Leon and M. Perrot.
After which (for this occasion only), Gnecco's Opera Buffa, LA
PROVA D'UN OPERA SERIA. Campanone, Signor Lablache ;
Fedrico, Signor Corelli ; Griletto, Signor F. Lablache ; Violante,
Madame Bellini ; Corilla, Madame Grisi.
To conclude with the admired Ballet of ONDINE. Ondine, Mdlle.
Cerito ; Matteo, M. Perrot ; Giannina, Mdlle. Louise Taglioni.
Applications for boxes, stalls, and tickets to be made at the box
office, Opera Colonnade. Doors open at Seven, the Opera to com-
mence at half-past Seven o'clock.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
THIS EVENING
Will be produced (for the first time in this country), Verdi's cele-
brated Opera, in Four Parts, entitled,
I LOMBARDI : ALLA. PRIMA CROCIATA.
Griselda, Madame Grid' ; Arvino, Signor Corelli ; Pagano, ignor
Fornasari ; Viclinda, Mdlle. Corbari ; Firm, Signor Botelli ; Oronte,
Signor Mario.
The epoch is that of the first Crusade. The following is the de-
scription of the incidental scenery :
Part First.—Scene of action is Milan, in the 11th Century.
Scene 1. Moonlight—Cloisters and church of St. Ambrose, built in
the 7th Century. Scene 2. Night—Gallery in the Palace of Polio.
Part Second.—Scene of action, Antioch, and its vicinity. Scene
1. Hall in the Palace of Acciano, at Antioch. Scene 2. View of
Palestine—The prominence of a sloping mountain. Scene 3. The
Interior of the Harem at Antioch.
Part Third.—Scene of action, the vicinity of Jerusalem. Scene 1.
The Valley of Jehoshaphat—Jerusalem ; Mount Moria, crowned by
the celebrated mosque of Omar. Scene 2. Arvino's tent. Scene 3.
A grotto on the shores of the Jordan.
Part Fourth. —Scene of action continued. Scene 1. A cavern in
Palestine. Scene 2. Encampment of the Lombards, near to the
sepulchre of Rachael. Last Scene. Arvino's tent. Tableau.
To conclude with the grand Ballet, by M. Deshayes, re-arranged
in Three Tableaux, by M. Perrot, the Music by M. Costa, entitled
ALMA ; ou, LA FILLE DU FEU.
The principal characters by Mollies. Cerito, Demelisse, Moncelet,
Cassan, L. Taglion: ; MIL St. Leon, Gosselin, Bertrand, and Perrot
A New Grand Ballet is in active preparation, and will shortly be
produced.

THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE.
THIS EVENING
Will be performed the popular Opera, called MARITANA.
Charles the Second, Mr. Borrani ; Don ewer de Bazan, Mr. W.
Harrison ; Don Jose de Santarem, Mr. Stretton ; Maritana, Miss
Romer ; Lazarillo, Miss Poole.
Between the first and second Acts of the Opera, will be intro-
duced a Pas de Bergers, by thirty-six of the celebrated Danseuses,
with a Pas Seul, by Fanny Prager ; and between the second and
tliird Acts, twenty-four Danseuses Viennoises will execute the famous
National Polca Paisans.
After which, the celebrated Ballet of LA GISELLE. Duke of
Silesia, M. Mathis; Hilarion, Mr. W. H. Payne ; Prince of Cour-
land, Mr. Howell ; Wilfrid, M. Adrien; Giselle, Mdlle. Sall; Mirtha,
Mdlle. Louise; Princess Bathilde, Mdlle. St. Louin ; Bertha, Mrs.
Payne ; Principal Willis, Mesdames Adele and Giubilel.
During the Ballet will be introduced Le Pas Oriental, by forty-
eight of the Pupils of Madame Weiss.

THEATRE ROYAL, HAY MARKET.
THIS EVENING
Will be performed Sheridan's Comedy of THE RIVALS. Sir An-
thony Absolute, Mr. Farren ; Capt. Absolute, Mr. Roll ; Acres, Mr.
Webster ; Sir Lucius O'Trigger, Mr. Hudson ; Fag, Mr. Brindal ;
David, Mr. Buckstone ; Mrs. Malaprop, Mrs. Glover; Lydia Lan-
guish, Miss Julia Bennett ; Lucy, Mrs. Humby.
The Band will perform the Overture, " Edourdo e Christine," the
Fantasle, " Fra Diavolo ;" the " Post Horn Galop," " Antoinette,"
Cellarius Waltz; the "Chatsworth Quadrilles;" and the " Branow
Polka."

To be succeeded by an Original Farce, called THE IRISH TIGER.
Sir Charles Lavender, Mr. Howe ; Paddy Ryan, Mr. Hudson ;
Alderman Marrowfat, Mr. Tilbury ; Bilbury, Mr. T. F. Mathews ;
Julia, Miss Telbin ; Nancy, Mrs. Caulfield.
After which, an experiment will be tried upon THE BIRDS OF
ARISTOPHANES ou which occasion they will be presented to
tne public with new Names, new Feathers, new Songs, and new
Tales. Principal characters by Messrs. James Bland, Hudson,
Tilbury, Brindal, Caulfield, T. F. N athews, and Miss P. Horton.

THEATRE ROYAL, LYCEUM.
UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF MRS. KEELEY.
Another brilliant Triumph I " Robin Hood and Richard Coeur de
Lion" every Evening ; and (by express desire) " The Cricket on
the Hearth."

THIS EVENING

Will be performed THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH. In
which Mrs. Keeley, Miss Keeley, Mr. Emery, Mr. Vining, and Mr.
Keeley will perform.
__ _

To conclude with a New Grand Operatic Romantic Burlesque Spec-
tacle, founded upon certain Startling and hitherto Unrevealed Pas-
sages in the Histories of ROBIN HOOD AND RICHARD CCEUR
DE LION. Characters by Mrs. Keeley, Miss Fairbrother, Miss M.
Keeley, Miss Pillars, Miss E. Daly, Miss Howard, Miss Bromley
Miss Laidlaw, and Miss Grove ; Mr. A Wigan, Mr. F. Matthews,
Mr. Keeley, Mr. Turner, and Mr. J. W. Collier.

THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHL
THIS EVENING
Will be performed a popular Comedy, entitled EXCHANGE NO
ROBBERY ; or, Who's to Father Me ? Sam Swipes, Mr. Wright ;
Mrs. Swipes, Mrs. F. Matthews; Miss Melrose, Miss Chaplin ,
Lady Cranberry, Miss Harding.
After which n new and Original Farce, called, WHO DID IT ?
or, WHAT'S IN THE WIND ? Vandyke Brown, Mr. W right ;
Ramona Peewit, Miss Woolgar.
To be followed by the Burlesque, entitled PETER WILKINS ; or,
The Loadstone Rock and the Flying Indians. Principal characters
by Misses Woolgar, Emma Harding, Chaplin, Brooks, Taylor; Mr.
Paul Bedford, Mr. Munyard, Mr. Mitchenson, &c.
To conclude with a New Farce, entitled THE PHANTOM
BREAKFAST. Supported by Mr. Paul Bedford, Mr. Wright, Miss
Woolgar, Missliarding, Miss Taylor, and Mrs. Frank Matthews.

PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET.
THIS EVENING

Will be performed the favourite Drama of DON CIESAB DE
BAZAN. Don Caesar, Mr. Wallaek ; Maritana. Mrs. Stirling.

After which, a NeW DIVERTISSEMENT. In which all the
principal dancers will appear.
To be flowed by a New Drama, entitled ERNESTINE. The
principal characters supported by Messrs. Cooper, Wallack, Leigh
Murray; Mrs. Stirling, Miss E. Stanley, Miss May, &c.
To conclude with a New Farce, called TOO MANY COOKS SPOIL
TILE BROTH. Gregory Granite, Mr. Compton; George, Mr.
Gxberry ; Fanny, Miss E. Stanley.

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Proprietor, Mr. W. Batty.
Under the especial patronage of her most gracious Majesty, and
their Royal H'ghnesses Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, and
the Prbscess Alice. -Uninterrupted career of success of Mr.
Leman Rede's popular Asiatic Spectacle, which is nightly hailed
with the most enthusiastic applause.
THIS EVENING
Will be performed the Grand Asiatic Drama of THE ARAB
AND HIS DESERT STEED; or, the Pearl of the Euphrates.
Introducing the double stud, &c.
New and popular Scenes of the Hippodrome. First appearance
of the astonishing French Artiste, Mons. Leonard Houck, aided by
the British Professors.
First Week of a Novel Grotesque BALLET. In which the prin-
cipal Pantomimists of the Establishment will perform.
On Monday next, May 18th, M. Lellm Bridges, the famed eques-
trian, will appear.
Box-office open from eleven till five o'clock.—Doors open at six
and commence at seven o'clock.

DAVIDGE'S ROYAL SURREY THEATRE.

Brilliant success of the new Play of 7 Bianca." First appearance of
Miss Brentnall, front the Theatre Royal, Bath.
THIS EVENINCI
Will be performed a New Play, entitled, BIANCA ; or, The Three
Trials. Characters by Messrs. Hughes, 3faynard, Johnson, Lewis,
Cowell, Heslop, Edgar ; Mesdms. H. Vining, Martin, Daly, &c.
After which, GYMNASTIC EXERCISES by Herr Deulin and
Herr Nicol°, as Les Deux Chiaois.
_ To be followed by a New Ballet, called LA STATUE BLANCHE.
Le Tonneau Roulant ; or, Running Tub, by Herr Nicol°.

NEW STItA.',IEATRE.
ENTIRE CHANGE.—NOVELTIE% AND MAGIC EFFECTS.
" La gaiete Oct la sante der
La tristesse en est le poison:'
THIS EVENING *
M. PRILLIPPE bags leave to announce that,ivEle_nre,aTizueNnrceEnof.
the Triumphant Success that has attended his
and ha-
TAINMENTS, they will be repeated every
tin.clay Morning. and every Evening until further nloetreay
M. PHILLIPPE will commence the EntertainmgleenrbisytoLligshutolitig
Two Hundred and Fifty Wax Candles by a sin
performed . This unique and brilliant Experiment was originally
Mons. Phillippe for upwards of 700 consecutive nights in Paris. by
M. Phillippe will also have the honour of introducing HIS
GRANDMOTHER'3 CAP, with all its laughable and rapid Trans-
formetions.
The Entertainments will be varied by the Dancing of the
CHIARINI FAMILY, and the Olympic Gambols of the AME-
RICAN BROTHERS.
The Morning Performance will commence at Two o'clock ; the
Evening at a quarter to Eight.
Stalls, 3a.; Boxes, 2s. ; Pit, Is. ; Gallery, 6d. ; Private Boxes,
11. Is., and 10s. 6d.

Under the Patronage of her Most Gracious Majesty.
ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.
MONDAY, MAY 11.
VIEW of NAPLES, ERUPTION of VESUVIUS, DESTRUC-
TION of HERCULANEUM and POMPEII, in the year 79. This
magnificent spectacle is revived in an unprecedented• scale of
grandeusi the picture being more than twice the size of the former,
and represents, as accurately as can possibly be done, the Great
Eruption of Vesuvius in the year 79, when the Destruction of Her-
culaneum and Pompeii took place : produced under the direction
of Mr. Danson.

A richly ornamented GOTHIC BRIDGE of STATUES has been
constructed, which will be brilliantlyllluminated at Night.

The PROMENADE CONCERTS are again confided to Mr. God-
frey. The Band is most complete in all its departments, and includes
many eminent native and foreign musicians.
The PYROTECHNIC DISPLAYS, by Mr. SoUthby, are on the
most complete and effective scale.

Preceding the Volcanic Display a novel exhibition will be intro-
duced, representing the Descent of Phoebus in the Chariot of the Sun.
Mons. Farinelli will descend from a Chinese Pagoda, seventy feet in
height, on to the lake, where a Naiad's Car will rise to receive him
and hear him to his chrystal home.
An Illuminated Marine Cave, and the Glass Conservatory, Wen'
dhily ornamented with festoons of lamps, enabling the visitors to
view the matchless collection of Carnivore by gas-light.
Feeling of the Carnivore at five; the Pelicans, &c., at half-past
five ; Conceit at six ; aril the Eruption at dusk. Admission. Is.

•
THE STRIKE IN THE BUILDING TRADES AT MAN-
e,IIXSTER.—The men are coining in by degrees, and as many as from
700 to 800 have signed the declaration required by the masters, and
commenced working again during the past week or ten days. A
large number more commenced working yesterday morning, who
also signed the declaration. The impression is, that the turn-outs
will keep going in, and that ere long the shops will be as full of men
as may be required under existing circumstances. The masters have
been compelled to form themselves into an association, which it is
Intended should extend all over the country, for the purpose of
counteracting the dangerous effects of the combination of these
general trades unions ; for, unless they be counteracted, the masters
think that they will be placed in the humiliating position of having
to accede to any, and indeed every, demand which the turn-outs may
think proper to make upon them. On the 2d of the present month
there were 600 joiners en the strike, upwards of 100 plasterers and
Painters, about 40 plumbers, and about 80 or 100 bricklayers; and
it Is calculated that there are at the present moment upwards of 200
workmen who are yet out of employ.
We have reason to believe that there is not the slightest
truth in the rumour that the Hon. Member for Oxford, Mr, Maclean,
Inteadl to rosigahla scat in Partial:amt.

THE WEATHER.—SUN OFFICE, MAY 12.
THERMOMETER, Lowest, 45; Highest, 67; Noon, 65.
BAROMETER, 30.—WIND S.E.; fine.

li1G1:1 WATER AT LONDON-BRIDGE THIS DAY.
Horning minutes after 2. !Evening .. 43 minutes after 2.

while she pursues her own schemes, to inflict some injury
on France. That malevolent feeling is well represented
in the- paragraph respecting the PACHA'S Visit to th,
British Court. Her MAJESTY and her Ministers do not invit.
the son of MEHKMET Au to England for his own sake,
or out of respect to the high qualities of his illustrious father,
or as some return for his impartial and generous conduct to-
wards English merchants, and indeed Englishmen generally.
during the Syrian expedition, but solely to serve its own
purposes and drive a bargain with his successor for the free
passage of British troops through Egypt. And not satisfied
with stating that the attempt will be made, M. THIERS con-
cludes that it will be successful, that France will lose all the
expected advantages from the visit of a Prince which the
ex-Minister took ender his especial protection, and
that jealous England will snatch the prize from
her hands. It is hardly necessary to say that
England neither has nor can have any such motives.
Our gracious QUEEN only gives another proof of her
wish to live on the best terms with other Sovereigns, and
with that view pays the usual compliment of invitation to
the son of one of the most remarkable men of the age. Her
Ministers know that the question of transit cannot be set-
tled by IBRAIII3I PACHA—that any attempt of the kind would
excite unfavourable feelings towards England on the part of
the present ruler, who will both reign and govern to the
last—that the health of IBRAHIM PACHA is of the most un-
certain tenure—that it is doubtful if he can survive his
father—and that new arrangements, as at Lahore, may
be necessary, when the hand that reared the Egyptian
sovereignty, and has kept it so long together, shall have
become cold and helpless. And, besides, we are not cer-
tain that it is for the interest of England and her Indian
possessions that a passage for troops of all nations,
through the Isthmus, should be conceded. The expense
incurred by sending troops to India by sea may be more than
counter-balanced by rendering India liable to the sudden in-
vasion of European troops by the way of Suez and the Red
Sea. After all, why is the scheme opposed by the ex-
Minister? Solely because he believes England is bent upon
it. France could not in any way suffer by the concession;
eome slight return, too, might be made to England for throw-
ing open the China trade and conferring a great benefit on our
neighbours, but M. TRIERS has no sympathy of that kind,
and should it be the misfortune of this country to see him
again restored to power, she must expect neither favours nor
fair play at his hands.

The striking characteristic of the British nation is the
perfect freedom of discussion enjoyed by our Legislature,
our public meetings, and by the press, of fully and fairly
commenting upon all matters of general interest which may
from day to day arise. It is to this freedom that we owe
the abolition of abuses which long were suffered to
exist, and which affixed a stain on our Constitution.
To this we owe the existence of civil and religious
liberty throughout the British dominions, the abolition of
rotten boroughs, and the rendering the popular branch of our
Legislature what it professed to be—a fair representation of
the people. To this we owe the adoption of the principles of
free trade, the prostration of monopoly, and the admission of
cheap food for the people. None of those great results were
obtained ,without many years of anxious discussion, of a
prolonged, and apparently hopeles, contest. At first
a small, but zealous body, brought forward the
abuse, stated it fairly and simply, urged its
injustice, and called for its reformation. In almost every in-
stance their suggestions were received with contumely and
their proposals rejected by large numerical majorities. But,
though defeated for the moment, they were not dismayed.
Again and again they invited discussion, secured a debate;
the force of public opinion was enlisted in the
struggle, the minority increased, became a mighty
and formidable phalanx ; that which at first
was feebly whispered, was now thundered within
the walls of St. Stephen's till at length truth and justice pre-
vailed, and bigotry, corruption, monopoly, were swept
away in the overwhelming torrent, and such we have no
doubt will be the result of the exposure made by Mr.
WATSON, on Thursday evening, in bringing forward his mo-
tion for a Select Committee " to inquire into the nature and
extent of the taxation of suitors by the collection of fees in
the courts of law and equity, and the application of such
fees, and the compensations paid to retired officers of those
courts, and into the propriety of the continuance thereof;
and particularly to inquire into the orders for compensation
made by the Lord Chancellor to the persons filling the office
of clerk of the enrolments, comptrollers of hanaper, riding
clerks, six clerks, sworn clerks, waiting clerks, and others,
under the Act 5 and 6 Vic., c. 103, and to inquire into the
nature, duties, and emoluments of those officers before the
passing of that Act, and their right to compensation during
life and for seven years after the death of such persons."
Indeed we have the assurance of the great benefit conferred
on the public by the discussion in the speeches made by the
Home Secretary and the Right Honourable Baronet at the
head of the Government.
The former Honourable Gentleman stated, "that if the mo-
tion had been confined to the introductory part of the motion
before the House, namely, for an inqury into the nature and
extent,of the taxation of suitors, by the collection of fees in
the courts of law and equity, he would have had no objection
to the motion, because he considered that an inquiry of that
nature might be attended with beneficial results," and rested
his opposition chiefly on the fact that Mr. HUME had, in the
course of the debate, designated the transaction in reference
to which the inquiry was moved for as "the job ofjobs,"
and that the conduct of the Lord Chancellor might be incul-
pated. Surely this will not be received as a sufficient excuse for
the suppression of the inquiry. He admits that it may be at-
tended with beneficial results and yet he votes against it—on
what principle can this inconsistency be justified? If the
conduct of the Noble and Learned Lord was pure and irre-
proachable, as it was asserted to be, what could he have to
fear from investigation? Why should his friends be anxious
to smother inquiry—to avoid publicity ? On the contrary, it
would alone be a sufficient reason for acceding to the proposi-
tion. It is impossible after this that Sir JAMES GRAXAM
can continue his opposition to the inquiry from which so
much good must result. But the speech of Sir R. PEEL
contains a far more gratifying announcement. Nothing more
able, more powerful, could have been urged in support of
Mr. WATSON. The Right Hon. Baronet, with all the force
and eloquence so peculiarly his own, says—
" But let us put an end to the sale of these offices in future;
and let us also ensure a periodical inquiry into the fees
received by every person, in order that when their
amounts reach an extravagant sum, they may be reduced.
In some years they were of great magnitude--as in
this present year, for instance, by a pressure of business, the
amount of fees taken may be exceedingly large. Reduce them ;
but, at the same time, keep them sufficiently high to remu-
nerate men of talent. Let us provide for this inquiry. So
much for the future. I think it a scandal to the courts of
justice of this country, that this House has abolished sine-
cures, but that we have sealed our eyes to the legalised con-
tinuance of these fees, collected in extravagant sums from
suitors, because we have had no public clamour for their
abrogation. If those sums had been received by a Minister
of the Government, or by any one of the clerks of this House,
who sit at the table, they would have been taken away; but
you have allowed these things to continue, while you have,
as I said before, abolished sinecures." •
And concludes by assuring the House, " that as far as legis-
lating for the future on the subjezt, the reformation of these
abuses should hare the cordial support of the Government."
Were there no other result of the motion than these ad-
missions and promises, Mr. WATSON may well be proud of
the service he has rendered to his country. But we will hope
that perseverance on his part will at length be rewarded
to the fullest extent. It is not to be conceived that a Bill
smuggled through the House of Commons, of the guardians
of the public purse, almost sub silentio, which passed through
all its stages in one short week, should be considered so bind-
ing in its nature, so efficacious in its operation, that no re-
medy can now be obtained. Its injustice may be admitted,
the compensation thereby awarded may be so enormous as to be
almost incredible; sinecurists may receive sums for subord,

nate offices, requiring no knowledge, skill, or education, ex.

ceeding in amount the salaries of the learned and laborious
judges who preside in those very courts; and shall it be said,
that when this crying grievance is exposed, its enormity
made manifest, the public indignation aroused, that
this hurried legislation was final, and that it
cannot now be altered or amended? Certainly not.
Under any circumstances the taxation of the suitors of the
courts would be unjust and iniquitous. Why should the
Legislature tolerate a system so abominable, why should any
person, because his fortune or character is made the object of
attack, be thereby made the object of special taxation ?
Will he not suffer enough in the payment of the large fees
necessary for his professional advisers? Is there not anxiety
and expense enough attendant on the unfortunate liti-
gant, without his having to pay those enormous
fees, without bearing the whole expense of the judicial staff
of the country, nay, further, of the harpies, the drones, who,
without rendering any service themselves, are contented to
dip their hands into his pocket, and receive ruinous salaries
for doing nothing? These things cannot be suffered to con•.
tinue--there must be a remedy, and a speedy one, allbrded.
It is ridiculous to say that their abolition would increase
litigation ; such could not be the case on the part of the
defendants, for they are brought into court without
their own consent. No matter whether the expense
be great or small, they must encounter it; no option
is afforded them ; and in the case of a plaintiff; the
only person who can be thereby deterred is the poor man,
who, although his case may be equitable, may be unable to
obtain justice, from the enormous expense attendant on the
progress of his claims, and the delays which may be thrown
in his way by the skilful wiles of a wealthy antagonist. Is
this desirable? should the system be continued for such an
object? We think not; and we doubt not that the public
will be of a similar opinion.

Is it because there has been a long continuance in this
shameful waste of the public funds that the proceeding should
be tolerated and allowed to remain? We think the gentle-
men may be well satisfied with impunity for
their past offences, in being permitted to retain
the large sums heretofore received by them, without being
compelled to disgorge their plunder. Is it because, by the
most scandalous perversion of every principle of justice, they
have been permitted so long to revel in the spoils of the

public, that they should now receive an enormous sum fur
the abolition of that power? As well might the light-
fingered gentleman, who made a handsome livelihood from
the pockets of his neighbours, inveigh against an improved
system of police, and call for compensation because he is no
longer indulged in the enjoyment of his pleasing peccadilloes;
but even supposing there was any ground for granting such
a payment to the sinecurist himself, why should it be ex-
tended for aeyert years beyond laic life, to lus perowll

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SECOND EDITION.