The Sun.
London, England, 1851-12-29 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—Being of opinion that this country will sink
into a third-rate power when it loses its colonies, I
am sorry to observe the pains taken by the Colonial-
office to irritate our dependencies, and apparently to
force emigration to the United States of America.
Under a despotic or republican form of government
every effort would be made to induce emigration to
our colonies, the best safeguard against such costly
affairs as the Kafir war ; bat our aristocracy (who
are, in fact, our rulers) think all is accomplished that
concerns them when a colony is established, and the
usual places created. That our colonies are loyal is
proved by the large amount of misgovernment to
which they have hitherto submitted, but to prevent
the British empire from being dismembered, we must
let the colonies govern nod protect themselves. They
would adopt our good laws, and for our bad and
costly ones substitute the better laws of the
United States. If we choose to have bad laws, I
don't see why we should force them on our colonies.
Our dependencies could defend themselves on land,
better and cheaper than we could do it for them.
As to the navy, it ought to be supported by the
whole empire in proportion to the population, ['St it
would be preferable to a separate navy for each
colony. It is hopeless to look for much improvement
in our colonial system until we have another Reform
Bill. I will, however, just notice another abominable
abuse connected with our colonies—that of making-
extensive grants of land by the Colonial-office, and
never ascertaining whether the conditions attached
to those grants have ever been complied with. I
believe grants have been made to companies in
British America (especially in New Brunswick)
where no attempt is made to send out emigrants, and
the shareholders look for the improvement of their
property by settlers occupying the land adjoining
theirs. Such an otstruction to improvement would
not be tolerated in the United States.

I am, Sir, &c.,
A CONSTANT READER.

CONVICTION FOR DRUNKENNESS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—The law applicable to drunkenness (which
is a very ancient one) requires repealing, and a new
enactment in its stead. As it stands the offender
may be fined ss. and costs, and if not paid in seven
days, his goods may be distrained for the penalty (if
not the custO, and if he have no goods, to be placed
in the stocks fur six hours ; and if he goes through
that ordeal fur the penalty, the costa cannot be en-
forced.

No magistrate, at the present day, wouli enforce
his conviction by placing the offender in the stocks,
and for obvious reasons. The ordeal (as in a case of
common assault, or the like), ought to be punished by
commitment, at once, on non-payment of the penalty
and expenses. For want of this remedy many go
unpunished, either in pocket or person.
I am, Sir, &c ,
Dec. 26, 1851. JUSTICE.

SUGGESTIONS TOWARDS A SIMPLE AND
COMPREHENSIVE MEASURE OF " CHAN-
CERY REFORM." BY
A BA.RIIISTER.
(ADDITIONAL.)
'

1. That when the defendant purposes to set up a
substantive case in answer to the claim of the plain-
tiff; he shall, in like manner, propose "facts for ad-
mission," and shall also give notice of his intention to
subject the plaintiff to examination at the trial ; and
furnish the names and residences of persons whose
testimony he intends to use.
2. That the only warrant" to consider the decree"
shall be the decree itself; and the only " state of
facts" that which is disclosed by the evidence, or rests
on the admission of parties to the cause.
3. That " facts" so substantiated on oath, and re-
cognised as prayed, and " facts" which, having been
admitted, required no proof, shall be considered to
require no further corroboration by "affidavit."

a. That when an " admission" would constitute a
ground of motion for " payment of money into court,"
such " payment" shall be made on the requisition of
the plaintiff; and that, in the event of an application
to the Court becoming necessary, through the neglect
or refusal of the defendant, the costs thereby occa-
sioned shall be paid immediately by such defendant.
5. That the same rule shall be applied to the de-
Plt or exhibition of books and documents.
That it shall clearly appear, from the examina-
tion 3
r ,Party, or the testimony of witnesses, that
ariy
not .
hwhen t admitted, and relevant to the issue,
costa incurred
of such party, he shall
be Incurred in the proof of such
"facts" without retpxrd
liable to the
to the result of the cause.

well fillei
"e A. CHRISTMAS PARTY.—
Theter and Taunt -
PBorsi :::::
on Wed d nes ay night,
midway be
' disabled, fro
express to Exeter broke d,,,n
of the engine becoming _ on, in consequence
'4 what cause his not
AWKWAtwiteDen
with passen
gers, many of whom were hastening
eeto
ascertained. The train, which was
_tneet their friends,
was detained in one spot for nearly t r,,, hours. and did not
reach Taunton until 1.30, instead of 9.-2, as advertised . The
passengers bore it for a time with much good humour, but at
ed to
last they lost their temper, and many threatened open
some of the Christmas parcels, for the lonely spot Premed
their obtaining refreshments. Some made speeches de_
flouncing the directors ; others lighted a fire to warm them-
selves; one enlivened them by some sprightly airs on the
cornet-a-piston ; whilst others, chagrined to a degree by the
unexpected delay, annoyed the guards by so many importu-
nities that, at last, guards, stoker, and all, declined an-
swering any question at all. The uncomfortable feeling at
that time of night, with hearts beating high for convivial
meetings, can scarcely be described. The train must have
remained in that position till the arrival of the down mail
from London (due at three o'clock), but for the arrival of a
down goods train with two engines, one of which was put
on
the express, which then progressed on to Ezeter....Bath
Journal.