The Sun.
London, England, 1848-01-18 00:00:00

N0.17,-260.] LON DON, T UESDAY, EVENING

NI/ANTED, a PARTNER in an Engineering
and Boiler-mak:fig Establishment, In full work, well-situ-
ated to one of the principal outports. The present Establishment is
fully employed with work for ,team-boat Companies and other par-
tes of the highest respinsibility, and is capable of considerable ex-
tension. Inmtllciency of Capital to the alone cause of the present
advertisement, and to a party with irom 7,000/. to 10,0001. at com-
elan 1, the present offers a good opportunity liar a safe and advanta-
geous investment. Iteferences of the highest respectability will be
given and required.
Apply to A. 8., Mr. Abbott, 3, rump-court, Temple, Lendon.

ROYAL HOTEL, GRAINGER-STREET,
NtweAsTLE•ON-TYNE.
C lIAR LES STATES solicits the patronage of his
BROTHER TCAVEI.I,I,,IIS to the above Establishment, which
has recently been newly furnished and laid out expressly for a Com-
mercl.ll Hotel.
The COM r.itc lAL ROOM, one of the largest and most elegantly
fitted in the Nor TII, it is hoped will be found complete in every
respect.
The BED-ROOM.: (Sixty in number) hays been furnished In a
style which most eusttro the approbation of all visitors.
Gentlemen travelling with :STOCK can at all times hays iiitOW
ROOMS without any extra charge.
The Music Hall, Lecture Room, and Royal Motel Assembly /tottm
arc alf attached, and under the same management.
The Royal hotel is in the most central situatlon in Newcastle.

r RICTURES OF THE URETHRA—ABUSE or INSTRUMENTS.
Just published. price so., SYCI. in cloth,
rpHE PATHOLOGY AND RATIONAL
IL TREATMENT of STRICTURE of the URETHRA, in all
its Varieties and Cemplicatlorui. With Practical Observations en the
Use and Abase of Instruments to the Treatment thereof. The whole
illustrated by numerous and important eases, and ►eing the result of
long, extensive, and successful practic*.
By F. R. COCRTENAY, M.R.C.6.L.
Published and sold by 11. Bannerol, 219, Regent-street ; Deighten
and Laugliton, Liverpool ; Hodges and Smith, and Fanner and Co.,
Dublin.

NOTICE.
PREVIOUS TO TIIE CLOSH OF THE
_ ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION,
en the 49th instant, for Additions and Decorations, Dr. RYAN
will LBCTURE en SANITARY MEASURES, and en the nature of
3ISINFECTING AGENTS, in 001111eXi01 witk this important sub-
ject, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, at Ilalf-past Three,
and every Evening, except Saturday, at Niue o'clock. Ou
the alternate days other Lectures on CIE MISTILY. Dr. IZACII-
IIOFFNER will LPCTURE en IthliPlltiTlON and VENTILA-
TION, In connexion witk the above Sailjeet, Daily at Two, P.m.,
:ft which a JET of STEAM, as a Ventilating Agent, will be ex-
hibited. The Opilleal Effeets include the OXT-lIT.ROOEN MI-
CRO:4,2OPN, New DISSOLVING VIEWS, &c. IYORKING MO-
DELS •f MAC LEINER!' explained. Tho DIVING 1i LL and
DIVER, &c

.kdrnleslon, le.; ileho•la, Ilalf-price.

REPEAL OF THE WINDOW TAX.
Yesterday evening a meeting was held at the
British Hotel, Cockspur-street, attended by many of
the most influential inhabitants of Westminster, who

have for many years exerted themselves to obtain a
repeal of the window-tax, and who conceive that the
present is a most important time for pressing upon
the Government the justice and necessity of repealing
that unfair and impolitic tax—and that !say sanitary
measure unaccompanied with the repeal of the window
duty would be defective and unsatisfactory.
The requisition stated that those who joined in it
believe that the efforts already made to obtain a repeal
of this' tax may be materially aided by an organiza-
tion, embracing the metropolitan districts with the
provincial towns and boroughs, many of which, while
strongly opposed to the tax, have not fully exerted
their influence in seeking to obtain its repeal.
The meeting was fully attended.
Mr. Charles Lushington, M.P., was called to the

chair.
The CHAInIWAN said that the subject of sanitary
improvement had of late made great progress, and he
was glad to be able to state that the Government
were desirous to afford every assistance to this pro-
gress. The rich had now joined the poor in this
desirable work, and he had no doubt of its perfect

success.
Mr. HUGGETT, the secretary, read several letters
from various eminent individuals apologising for non-
attendance, and expressing entire sympathy with the

views of the meeting. -
Mr. WYLD, M.P., proposed the first resolution,
which, in terms, stated that the window-tax is un-
equally imposed, falling most heavily upon the trad-
ing and productive classes—that it restrains the in-
dustry of the country, and obstructs the progress of
architectural improvement—that, excluding light and
preventing due ventilation in dwellings, it tends to
encourage habits of uncleanliness, to engender the
mcst fatal diseases, and to impoison the health and

strength of all classes, especially the labouring poor.
The Hon. Gentleman enforced the correctness of the

:
position taken, with respect to the injustice of the
impost, and argued that its abolition would be at-
tended with the most beneficial results without any

injury to the revenue, for the people, rather than con
sent to the continuance of a tax so oppressive, would
submit to taxation in another shape, so that the defi-
ciency would ;easily be made up. Ile was happy to
find some gentlemen around him who had been en-
gaged in obtaining a repeal of the house-tax in 1833
and 1834. He thought they had a strong claim for
a repeal of the window-tax, for, if he remembered
rightly, they were at that time given by Lord
Althorp, or his Administration, a distinct pledge
that the impost would be abolished. The window-
tax pressed most severely on the middle and
working classess, and though they were
reported to be agitators, it was found they
had acted most patiently under the burden
and the taxation that afflicted them. If the window-

tax had oppressed the rich with anything like the
severity with which it bore down upon the poor, he
thought it would long since have been removed ; but
the middle classes, from a desire not to interfere with
the Ministry of the day, or to embarrass them in their
legislative measures, abstained from agitation, and
hence it was that they found the impost still main-
tained. The Noble Lord now at the head of the
Government was one of those who acted with the
Grey Administration when the pledge of abolition
was given—he, to a certain extent, was carrying out
the principles of that Government, and it now became
incumbent on him to redeem the pledge, if for no
other reason, or on no other ground, than simply
because the pledge was given some years back. The
present was a most opportune period for agitating the
question, and a convenient season for organisation, for
when they saw a Government determined on effecting
sanitary reform, it was fitting they should call their
attention to this tax, as affecting the health of large
towns and the lives of the middle and lower classes.
In their first report, issued by the Sanitary Com-
missioners, the state of the sewers alone was pointed
out as the cause of sickness and infection, and the
various diseases which preyed upon the masses of
the people. Not a word ss as said about the
shutting out of wholesome air, and the impeding
of proper ventilation, by the blocking up of
windows consequent on the burden of the win-
dow-tax. It struck him as rather strange that so
much attention should have been devoted to the im-
perfect sewerage of the metropolis and large towns,
;slide the thorough ventilation of the houses was
altogether overlooked ; but then, upon reflection, he
remembered that windows were taxed, and that the
sewers were not.—(Hear, hear, and laughter.) Ile
hoped, however, that the windows would not be over-
looked, and that ere long they would have free air,
plenty of light, and good ventilation. He rejoiced
that Westminster was now doing—what it had always
done—its duty, and that it took the lead in an organi•
zation which, he had not the least doubt on his mind,
would terminate only with the total repeal of the
window-tax. Larger towns were only awaiting the
example of London, to follow it ; and before many
weeks had elapsed their organization would be general.
The feeling was, that the tax must and should be
repealed. True, it yielded something like 1,600,0001.
per annum, but then the people were content to pay
an equal sum in another form ; and after that meeting,
when the ramifications of the projected association
were complete, and the organization wide extended,
they would say as one man that the tax should not
longer be continued. The advocates of the tax men-
tioned, that as it was easy of collection, and as it
yielded 1,600,0001. yearly, it could not be dispensed
with; but neither of those questions of expediency
ought to enter into consideration. The tax affected
the health, the lives, and the rights of the people. It
was pronounced to be unjust and oppressive, and it
should be repealed.—(H ear, hear.)
Mr. HEALET seconded the resolution. He said
there could be no doubt of the importance of this
question. There had as yet been no guarantee given
to the public that a chang? was to be made in the
existing laws with respect to the window-tax. He
had no doubt of the success of this movement, for it
was one deserving of the most perfect success. The
Government could not, in fact, provide perfectly for
sanitary reform unless it provided free circulation of
air and free access of light.—(Hear.)
The resolution was unanimously agreed to.
Mr. SAUNDERS, of Bath, said that this tax operated
with great severity upon the city of Bath, in conse-
quence of the peculiar plan upon which the houses
were built. This tax was, in fact, opposed to the
liberty of the subject; and when it was considered
what a small amount of revenue it returned, it would
be at once edmitted that such an obnoxious tax ought
not to be continued. He had great pleasure in pro•
posing this resolution—" That an association be now
formed, to be called The London and Provincial
Union for the Abolition of the Window-tax,' for
the purpose of obtaining, by every legal means, the
total and immediate abolition of that obnoxious tax."
Dr. Sfstrsosr seconded the resolution, which was
carried by acclamation.
Mr. J. Gloms proposed the appointment of a com-
mittee to carry out the views of the meeting.
The resolution having been seconded, was unani-
mously agreed to.
A vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman, after
which the meeting separated.

JAMES TIIIiJ
SECOND, EDITED DT W. 11. AINS•
WORTH, EsQ.—A. new historical romance has just ap-
peared undsr the auspices of that established favourite,
Mr. Harrison Ainsworth, entitled " James the Second,"
which will afford the reader a comprehensive view of a
most important period in our history, whilst interesting
him with a lively narrative full to overflowing of charac-
teristic adventure and pictures of life and manners. The
King and his Court—the most influential political and
religious leaders—Colonel Sydney and the emissaries of
the Prince of Orange—and the plots of Sunderland,
Father Petre, and the French Ambassador arc brought
forward with all the scenes of that great drama which
ended in establishing the Protestant monarchy and reli-
gion in England. The stirring nature of the times in-
sured to the reader a stirring story, and in the practised
hands of Mr. Ainsworth, such materials were certain of
being invested with all the attractions that can bo given
to a well-constructed fiction.
The inauguration of the part of the Marseilles to
Avignon Railway between the former city and Arles,
took place on Sunday last.

FRENCH CHAMBER OF PEERS.

COUNT DE MONTALEMBERT'S SPEECs
SWITZERLAND ON THE 14Tu INST.
Count de Montalembert—Out of all the documents
that have been presented to us, I shall take notice
only of that in which M. Guizot speaks of the coun-
ter-action which the victory of the Radicals would
have in Europe, and of the dangers which the Duke
de Broglie yesterday so eloquently depicted. What-
ever may have been hitherto said, the war in
Switzerland was neither for nor against the Jesuits,
neither for nor against the Cantonal sovereignty;
they fought there for you, and they fought there
against you—they battled for and they battled against
that regular liberty of which you are the representa-
tives in Europe.—(Hear, hear.) Such was the real
object of the struggle called forth by men who would
not demand better than this very day to fling from
the other side of the Alps and of the Jura the fire-
brand of civil war. It is social order--liberal order—
which has been vanquished in Europe by a new in-
vasion of barbarians. Before entering on the question,
allow me to remind the Chamber that at this very
period last year I was in this tribune to
denounce the violation of treaties and the
occupation of Cracow ; this year I am about to do the
same thing. Last year the question in agitation was
the last remains of Poland, this year it is the cradle
of Helvetic liberty. I will not speak to you of the
excesses committed, of priests killed in the heat of
combat, of those outrages which have been branded
with reprobation by the highest authority in the
world, by the Sovereign Pontiff. But see what was
done in cold blood after the contest. The Radicals
re-established confiscation, that punishment of the
times of oppression and feudality. They have levied
fines, not only on religious houses, but on the citizens
themselves. And what were those fines ? They were
the entire fortunes of the vanquished.—(Sensation.)
They did not stop there. The conquerors dared, with
their blood-stained hands, to write the name of St.
Vincent de Paul ; and do you know why ? In order
to exclude the sisters of charity, guilty of having de-
voted their lives to the service of the poor and of the
sick. They were driven out like wild beasts, and only
had an hour's delay allowed them to quit Switzerland.
—(Murmurs.) But this is not yet all. Behold those
men ascending the road which many of you have
followed, that road which has been traversed by so '
many Christians, where the French Republic itself
halted with respect, where Napoleon left remem-
brances of glory and toleration, and where repose the
mortal remains of one of the brave officers of our army,
General Desaix.—(Hear, hear.) Do you know where
they are going ? They are going to rob the monks
of St. Bernard.—(Hear, hear.) And here Count
Pelet (de la Lozere) must allow me to make
one observation ; it is not only the Jesuits that have
been struck ; the Protestants of the Canton of Vaud
suffered similar treatment ten days after; they also
were forbidden to exercise any kind of religious wor-
ship. The consequences of the events which had taken
place in Switzerland have already been felt in France.
In the department adjoining that country the people
were in alarm. I was in Bourgogne, where the banquets
of Dijon, Chalon, and A utun took place. You know
what a part Switzerland played in those scenes. Ido
not come here to denounce the banquets and their
originators. I approve of the language of the com-
mittee. Those manifestations are tolerated by liberty,
and it is liberty I wish, above all things, to defend.
Religion has no need of defence, it is eternal ; pro-
perty changes hands, but it always exists and defends ,
itself. But what ends with a people is liberty—
during long ages it disappeared. Take care ; Radi-
calism will destroy liberty ; Radicalism is its anti-
podes, it is the exaggeration of despotism.
Count Mole—Excellent 1
Count ee Montalembert—Liberty is respect for
man, Radicalism is contempt for man—contempt the
most arrogant. I consider myself entitled, more
perhaps than any other, to speak in favour of liberty.
I have been deemed exclusively devoted to religious
liberty—but no ; I am devoted to liberty of every
description—to liberty in its fullest sense.—(Appro-
bation.) Liberty has been the idol of my existence,
and if I have anything to reproach myself with, it is
that I have loved it too well. But I do not repent
having done so--(hear, hear)—and it is because I
love it so ardently that I cannot bear to see it sullied.
I comprehend the tactics and the language of the
persons of whom I have just spoken ; but what I do
not comprehend is, the conduct of a dynastic and
regular opposition which applauds the success of
Radicalism in Switzerland. If the cause of the
Swiss Radicals were to triumph in France, what
should we have ? Disorder and anarchy—nay, worse
than anarchy, for that at last becomes extinguished
of itself. We should have organized Radicalism, and
yet the dynastic opposition applauds it. We have
witnessed the annihilation of liberty at Friburg,
Lucerne, everywhere. Lately, in the canton of
Vaud, an electoral law was established ; the
ballot was abolished ; voting by a show of hands was
decided on ; mad the election was placed in the bands
of the prefect, who frequently proposed himself.
Lately, too, a Jesuit happened to say to the prefect,
" Count the votes 1" He was at once seized on and
thrust out of the canton. The elections are effected in
several cantons under the influence of the federal
troops—that is, of foreign bayonets. How do you
suppose the most moderate of the Radicals act ?
During the elections they place the candidates and
electors who are in their way in the guard-house.—
(Laughter.) Such are the theories of the men to
whose success toasts were drunk at the banquets of
the Opposition ! But since I have thus denounced to
you the crimes which have been committed in Swit-
zerland, whom do you imagine I consider as the
principal offender ? The Foreign Secretary of State
of her Britannic Majesty.—(Sensation and agitation.)
When Noble Peers stand up in this tribune, and
speak what they think of the Emperor of Austria
and of Prince de Metternich, I may surely declare
my opinion of Lord Palmerston. It is he who
la my eyes is the executioner of the inde-
pendence of Switzerland ; it is he who, at
the moment of making a manifestation in favour
of the good right, insisted on a previous under.
standing among the Cabinets, and so produced pro-
crastinations, during which he pressed on hostilities
in Switzerland. At a later period, when the work of
iniquity was accomplished, it is he who declared in
the House of Commons, that he had nothing to say to
the excuses which were being committed; it is he,
in fact, who enveloped by his patronage those who
put down independence and justice in Switzerland.
I have always been a partizan of the English alliance
I have defended it under many circumstances, against
the attacks of its adversaries ; moreover, I am a pas-
sionate admirer of that great Eeglish nation who first
presented to Europe the model of constitutional go-
vernment ; but these sentiments cannot stifle the ex-
pression of my opinion and my judgment on the
present line of policy pursued—a policy everywhere
the same. Where is the great man who at this mo-
ment represents England in Switzerland going when
he quits Berne.? To Constantinople—and why ?
To promote a war on Greece, on that young monar-
chy, which is the enfant cheri of Europe, and one of
the glorious works of the present day. There can be
re doubt that the Minister who sends him there has
causal the death from grief of.one great Minister, M.
Coletti, whose praise is in every mouth.—(Marks of
adhesion.) There are no Jesuits in Greece.—
(Laughter.) No, but there is French influence, and
he cannot suffer that, and if he has opposed justice in
Switzerland, it is because the cause of justice is the
cause of France.—(Hear, hear.) We have also had
in our history many gloomy days, but never such sad
pages. We have had our days of despotism, but it
was a glorious despotism. Anarchy has also been at
other periods carried in Europe at the point of our
bayonets; but then at least we preserved at home
peace, order, security, and justice.—(Hear, hear.) It
is not with impunity that England has followed her
policy. The encouragements given to anarchy in
Greece, in Switzerland, will not remain unpunished ;
the flames of that conflagration will cross the channel,
and show England that propriety, justice, and
liberty arej not the privilege of one nation alone.
pass from the
Must I nowgreat criminal to the
small one, and examine the policy of our own
Cabinet ? I believe that it had good intentions, and
lam grateful to it for them ; I believe it was in
the right in wishing to intervene in the affairs of
Switzerland, and I have nothing to add to the lu-
minous demonstration yesterday made by the Duke
de Broglie, but I find that the conduct which it
adopted neither responded to its intentions nor to its
duty • I consider that it acted under the influence of
a yoke for which I always reproach it—that of weak-
ness. Thus, if it had shown itself more sympathetic
and more porterful at Ferrara, it would have been
still stronger in Switzerland. When the Ministry
has been spoken to of the Jest:its, it has not had the
courage to say that that was only a farce The phan-
tom which it caressed two years since has nose risen
with a threatening aspect, the law in justice says,
" Do not to another what you would not that another
should de unto you." But it soon after adds; "The
justice that you mete out to others shall be meted
out to you." It is unnecessary for me to say, that 1
do not ask for a posthumous interventiun of which no
one dreams. lam not in office, and Ido not occupy
myself with the policy of the day or of the morrow,
but I plunge into the future, the look of a man
who believes in Divine justice. Switzerland,