The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-14 00:00:00

FREE TRADE.

The principles of free trade, so efficiently demonstvated
in the measures of Sir Robert Peel, have, we have 'many
reasons for believing, already found an echo on t..)%e Con-
tinent. The large mass of population embracrd in the
Zollverein, or German Customs Union, are i•mpatiently
awaiting the final accomplishment of those vneesuree, in
order that they may demand a correspone,ing reduction
of the import duties which at present press so heavily on
many articles of consumption. They will not, after
England gives the example, continue to suffer under the
penalties of restrictive, or, as they are improperly called,
" protecting dude," The cloth and the cotton which
we can furnish at from 25 to 50 per cent. cheaper than
the native manufacturer must ere long find their way
into all the German markets. The good of the mans
cannot be sacrificed to the benefit of the few. And tte
mistaken policy by which some millions of peopit are
condemned to purchase an inferior article at an exorbitant
price will receive, even in its stronghQld of the Zollverein,
a speedy condemnation.

The King of Prussia has taken the first step in this
important affair. He has addressed a note to all the
members of the Customs Union, impressing on them the,
necessity of yielding to the spirit of the age, and of re-
vising the tariff. ft is true that the southern states of
the Union receive those advances with much coldness,
and that the influence of the capitalist-manufactltrers is
for the moment predominant. But those local interests
must give way before the principle of free trade; and if
the Prussian Government follow up this first step with
sufficient vigour, public opinion will triumph over a par-
tial and selfish opposition. The influence of England is
great, her moral power is the wonder of the world; but
never have their effects been more sensibly felt than in
the rapid adoption of the principles advocated by Sir R.
Peel, and supported by so great a majority of the House
of Commons, throughout an union of states where mo-
nopoly and protection apparently were most firmly ests-..
lished.— Times.

THE SWELL MOB IN THE
PROVINCES.

The facilities which railways now afford ere eagerly
taken advantage of by that very " industrious" class—
the " Swell Mob" of London. The members or this fra-
ternity take their usual perambulations in the various
fashionable parts of the metropolis, at certain periods of
the day, for the purpose of exercising their calling, and
in the evening are frequently to be found at some great
attraction in distant parts of the country. Of late the
eastern counties have been favoured with visits by these
candidates for transportation ; and it is not improbable
that when the projected lines of railway are completed.
even the northern parts of Lincolnshire, on certain oc-
casions, will not be forgotten by them. A few days ago.
a concert was given at Cambridge, and during the even-
ing several empty purses were picked up in the room,
the contents having entirely disappeared without the
owners' sanction. Several strangers were noticed in 'hilt
room, but their apparent respectability did not at the
time attract suspicion. Towards the latter end
of the same week General Tern Thumb visited
the town, and at the exhibition in the even-
ing the same strangers who had visited the
concert again made their appearance ; some
empty purses were here also picked up, and the un-
known parties were watched. They were soon disco-
vered hustling people in the room and attempting to
pick pockets; hree of them were immediately taken into
custody. On being searched money to some amount
fondwas
(u.
tenut
the
13erk instead pnaone.td
hadea a
bankg old
; twatchthey
and another
n
thems.lves to have come to Cambridge that afternoon
each
for the first time from London, and that they were soli-
citing orders in the tobacco trade. They gave addresses
in town. The day after their apprehension a police
officer was dispatched to London to make inquines re.•
specting them, and from the information he obtained it.
seemed evident that they were a part of the swell mob,-
The names they gave were James Hawkins, William
Green, and William Butters, only Butters gave a correct
address (7, Francis-street, Newington) ; and on the
Csrebridee constables going to that house to inquire for
him he was told by a female, who said she was his sister.,
in-law, that he had gone out of town, but she expected
him to return in the evening ; and upon the female
being asked what profession Butters was, she said
she did not know ; that he generally left home in
the morning, and did not return till the evening. On
the eonsteile's return to Cambridge the magistrates con-
victed the three men as rogues and vagabonds, and sen-
tenced them to three months' imprisonment with hard
labour. They gave notice of appeal against the convic-
tion, and were bailed out. The 51. note found upon.
Green was advertised in the Hue and Cry, and it was
challenged by a person named Charles Bailey, of Berk-
hamstead, who it seemed had been robbed at a public-
house in the Strand of two Si. notes, and that found
upon Green was one of them. Green was then taken
into custody on the charge of picking Mr. Bailey's
pocket, and on the 2d instant was tried at the Central
Criminal Court and acquitted ; a person having been
produced in Court, who swore that he had given Green
the 51. note for a gold chain, and that he had received it
of a p:•rson in Smithfield-market for some pigs. On the
following Monday, Green. Hawkins, and Butters. Bur-
bail at Cambridge Quarter Sessions,
eendered to their
traces and the appvllants were sent buck to the t
when the Court confirmed the convictionof thereadwagismiii
to complete the term of imprisonment.

Worshipful Chancellor Law,
within the walls of Oro
handsomely taken up his residence .
I the proposed
QUEEN'S CoLLFGE, BlRtMhelNlo,74.Apf.,—'The Rev.la nal
to
sauicpaelrianntdentsurgical
educatie;.;
tended system of collegiateri
d to the resident students II •
The Rev. Gentleman has offered err
College, in order personal]}'
following
fi7.LrenDleedaanl !,,t,2t(l)lle. tih‘areceulmtye,dwaladi
William
two ilsedecoxls :
munificent prizes, viz.:-501. to the student TiF4
has also gone into residence in order to assist the
council in carryingout thetimportantarrangements.
,rl,lll,(ly)::ceairireyd oa
medal. The
POSTAGE REFORM AT THE CAPE Or GOOD HOPE.—..•
The Governor of this colony has just issued an ordinance.*
establishing a uniform rate of postage in his government,.
which was to take effect il•om the Ist of March. The new*
rates are as follows :—On all letters transmitted by the poet*,
between places within the colony, every letter not exceeding
half an ounce, fourpence; exceeding half an ounce, and not
exceeding one ounce, cightpence; and for every ounce abevf a
one ounce, an additional eightpence; every fraction of aj a
ounce above one ounce to be charged as an additional ounct ..
The postage is to be levied by stamps or stamped covers, & g
in England. Letters not pre-paid to be charged with a post—
age greater by one-half than the pre-paid rate. Newspapers
to pay one penny; newspapers from abroad to pay one penny
by the inland post if not exceeding an ounce, and a hay•
peony for each additional mom