The Sun.
London, England, 1833-03-07 00:00:00

Pr. r f'r!nt

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IRELAND. ' 'l-17,-;'‘-'. '..----:',..'-`,; 29'''
_____..--__ -...2...fk--:-'-- ..7''ors.*. .V.,...; 1 '
TO THE EDITOR OF TEE SUN. "
5111,.....1 beg leave to sugg.st, through the medium of
your columns, a very ready method to reify Ireland
without coercion, arid also to restore the confidence of the
country. I presume there is little doubt that the Howe
of Lords will reject the " Irish Church Reform Bill"
as proposed by Earl Grey, and, consequentty, thar He
Lordship and Colleagues will then ',sign. Now, we all
know the anxiety of the '6 Great Captain" to return t.l
office upon almost any terms. I would, therefore, suef est
that his Majesty be petitioned to bond for the Duke, uho
would assuredly accept the premiership, and undertake
not only to bring in, but to carry successfully this sa'd
" Irish Church Reform Bill," or any other Reform BA',
provided he could but once mere occupy the high station I.n
so ardently desires. I need not remind you, Sir, of the
many obstacles to the passing of the Catholic Relief B 11—
yet we saw how adroitly the Duke, with the assistance of
the apostate Peel, managed that Bill, when they were in
office. The country will nem forget the factious oppo-
sition to the Reform,Bills, by these two consistent states-
men, when out of office—and the perfect readiness with
which the " Great Captain" was shortly afterwards dis-
posed to accept office, and bring forward a Reform Bill
more efficient than that of Earl Grey's, which he (the
Duke) hail voted against, and denounced as ,' horribly
destructive! ! .I.' Now, after all these acts of consistency,
who can doubt his bring at thi+ time equally anxious (if
in office) to reform the Irish Church—t! e fish Juries
—to abolish tithes—adopt poor laws— yire employment
to labourers—and otherwise ameliorate the sad c.ii.dition of
the Irish generally, that he might with safety abandon the
abominable Coercive Bill to the winos! ! ! Let us, there-
for-, petition his Majesty as above stated, end I will prog-
nosticate that his Grac • would accept office (perhaps wi• li-
out pay), and not only adopt all those remedial measuie.,,
but would, if required, agree to impose a tax of 25 per
cent. on the property of Irish absentees, or even upon all
the real property of the high aristocracy in the United
Kingdom.

~ T s+_~-

fki*:
:1

ONE OF THE DUKE'S SUPPORTERS.

THAMES TUNNEL.

The general annual meeting of this Company was
held at the City of London Tavern, on Tuesday last, fur
the purpose of receiving the report+ of the Auditors, Ens
gineer, and Directors for the past year.
The Auditors' report was not very favourable. It
stated tbat the expenditure exceeded the income by 7001.
per annum, and that the cash now in the hands of the
Company was only 1,600/.
The report of the Engineer (Mr. 13runel) stated that
during the past year the mound, or artificial covering,
which bad been formed in the middle of the river for the
pr tection of the works had been removed, being no longer
required, and also, that the quantity of water now cm:a.—
ing the Tunnel was much less than heretofore, so much
so, that instead of working the pumps nine hours per day,
they were only required for three flows. " Most of the
Proprietors (said the report) are, no doubt. aware that
nearly all the water which has for some time been ad.
muted into the Tunnel has been snppd ad by spritig49
and not by infiltration from the river, and that td
prevent these springs from rising to the aurfac- of the
bed of the river, anti thereby loosening the artifie al bed
which had been formed, it was considered desi,able to
admit them for a period into the Tunnel, and incur an
ext,ense for pumping, rather than the ri+k ni injuring
that solid mass of earth which protects the weeks."—
Mr. Brunel also informed the m• sting, that the 600 feet
which had been finished, was in a moot perfect state of
repair; that there had not, been the slig‘:te•t sett]: rent
Cati work, and that, amidst the trying circunistanr 8
through which they had pissed, there was,olie eonsola,iute
to be found in the delay—that it bad Owen titre to prove
the durability and solidity of the work they had completed.
The report of the Doectois lamented that they cnu d
not place before the Pr"prietors a more favourable account
of the finances of the Company. It stated. that during
the past year the Directors, through their Chairinr, Mr.
Woolaston, had applied for assistance to the C,m(cf,s,oners
for issuing Exchequer Bills as Loans to Poetic Works, and
that, in their opinion, these applications had not bee& _
successful, on account of the peculiar nature of this un.
dertaking not allowing them to enter into those arrange-
ments with the Commissioners, for the repaym-nt of the
loans, which the Dii ectors of most public works were able
to do; but that some of these difficulties would be re-
moved by the introduction of a clause into the Act of
Parliament they sere now applying for, and which Act
is necessary to extend the period for con; (sting the work.
The new Directors, in the pl ice of those g ing nut by
rotation, having been chosen, the other business of
.he day completed, and thanks having been given to the
Chairman, the meeting separated

The Russian Ambassador and Princess LIE•
TEN Rave a grind dinner party the evening before last, at
Ashburnham House. Amongst the company present were
Earl GREY and Lady GEORGIANA GREY, Count POZZO
Di Bosco, Marquis and Marchioness of LcisnowNE,
Marquis and Marchioness of CLANRICARDE, V;ieount
MELBOURNE, Earl ansl Countess COVETER, Visc,unt FORD.
WICII, Magni. and Marchioness of STAEFOKD, &c.
Count Pozzo DI BORGO is expected to leave
town this morning at an early hour. We learn, from a
source on which we can place reliance, that his Excellency
has failed in the special object of his mission, and I as ex-
pressed more than ordinary regret on this subject. Upon
being asked by an intimate friend whether there was a
probability of any settlement taking place of the Dutch
and Belgic question, his Excellency is stated to have re-
plied, .4 How is it posiible for any adjustment to take
place so long as one party wished to have it all their own
way?" We need scarcely add that the party alluded to
is not Holland or her representative.

Lady BROUGHAM gave her first party for
the season on Monday evening. It was brilliant,- at-
tended. Amongst the company were, Count Pozzo DI
BORGO, Prince TALLETRAND, Duchess de DINO, Princ,
and Princess LIEVEN, Duchess of SUTHERLAND, Earl and
Countess of JERSEY, Marquis and Marchiuness of STAF-
FORD, Marquis and Marchioness of LANSDOWNE, Lady
L. FITZ MAURICE, Lady and Miss BAGOT, Lady GRAN-
vaLE SOMERSET and Miss GARDNER, Lady and Mi,s
FARQUHAR, Lord and Lady TANKERVILLE, Mr. and Mrs.
THROGMORTON, Mr. and Mrs. STANLEY, and the Mi'MS
EDEN, Earl and Countess Of CARLISLE., Baron WESsEN-
BERG, Baron and Baroness BULOVV, the Duke of RICH-
MOND, Counts DUNHOFF, GOSDOFF, and POLOGNE,
Lords MatioN, VILLIER., KERRY, &C.

We are sorry to learn that the Soiree which
was to have been given at the residence of the French
Ambassador, Hanover-square, on Friday the 6th March,
will not take place, in consequence of the slight indisposi-
tion of the Duchess DE DINo.

Died, at half-past five on Tuesday morning,
at Norwood, the Earl of DUDLEY, in the fiity.•econd
year of his age. The Earldom and the Vi,counties of
Dudley and Ward died with his Lordship. The Baronies
of Dudley and Ward go, with an entailed estate of about
40004 per annum, to his cousin, the Rev. HUMBLE
WARD. The Earl, by a will drawn up about two years
ago, settled the rest of his estate, to the valor of 80.0001.
per annum, on the eldest son of Mr. HUMBLE WARD ; but
it is said that this will is to be contested by the heir-at•
law, the Earl FERRERS.

We hear that Mr. BANNERMAN, of Aber-
leen ; Mr. STEWART, of Alderson ; snd General SHAAFIC,
have been required by their constituents to fulfil the pledge
they gave of resigning their sears in Parliament, in conse-
quence of their having declined to support Mr. Huste in
the abolition of sinecures. We expect soon to be aide to
give copies of the correspondence that has arisen between
these gentlemen and their friends in Scotland. It is not
to be supposed, after the public promises they have given
to resign, that they can find any pretext for refusing to
do so. We are curious to see who may be their succes-
sors, as it will furnish the best index of the present state
of feeling. We heir of other Scotch Members who are
in a similar predicament, and who are new busily engaged
in referring to their speeches and pledges at the election,
fearing they are to be exposed to the same fate as the
gentlemen we have named.—Morning Post.
ON IT.--1 he Chancellor of the Exchequer
expects now to have a surplus on the financial year of
about 600,0001., which he wishes to appropi iate ti a re-
Joetion of the excise and stamp duties. He will also
propose a reduction beyond that surplus, in anticipation
of another favourable year. He would be glad to reduce
the assessed taxes at least one halt ; being unable, how-
ever, to do this without the imposition of some new tax,
he has suggested a moderate property tax, but has met
with a dtcided refusal from E trl GRey. This is given
as the clue to the reported misunderstanding between his
Lordship and some of his official colleagues. On the
subject of the newspaper chute., Lord ALTuottr refuses
to state anything decisive. Lord BKOUGHAM, two inoottis
ago, seemed to think with Lord ALTHORP, th it the re-
ducti.n of the newspaper duties was not caned for hy ;he
newspaper proprietors ti,etoseives ; and when told that he
°At his opinion from what was stated I,y the ptoprietora
of the Times, he replied, " Wen.
" the Times has o.ertt
power. Spectator.
10 000/
,
The damage done by the late stout], in
Exeter alone is calculated to exceed

-;:

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

The reputation of Mr.oTonnell, as a power-
ful and successful advocate, conspired with a
general consciousness of the interest which he
must inevitably take in the Irish question to
render his speech of Tuesday evening an object
of curiosity and attention. Notwithstanding its
extreme length, extending to eight columns of
this closely printed journal, we found time and
patience to read it through ;—some proof, at
least, of a predisposition to jurlsze the Learned
Gentleman by that standard which he would pro-
bably himself have selected, viz., his own repre-
sentation of his views and sentiments. To say
the truth, the result, as a whole, has grievously
disappointed us ; although, on one or two espe-
cial points of the Bill, our sympathies and rea-
son alike dispose us to agree with the Member
for Dublin. If it be fact, as asserted by Mr.
O'Connell, that after the powers of the Bill
shall have been applied to any proclaimed dis-
trict, any of the persons authorized to execute
its provisions may seize accused parties and im-
prison them at discretion in any private place
of confinement, which private prison shall be
deemed, for all penal intents and purposes,
one of his Majesty's gaols, we cannot
well conceive a law more susceptible of the
harshest and most tyrannical abuses. It is said
with great justice, by Mr. O'Connell, that She-
riffs are responsible for the treatment of captives
in any of the Royal prisons, and the officers of
corporations equally answerable to their supe-
riors ; but that- the commitment of British sub-
jects to private and irresponsible custody is what
the law and Constitution of England have never
contemplated, and hold in complete abhorrence.
It is, indeed, obvious, that private and discre-
tionary—that is, unaccountable—custody, may,
without much trouble or embarrassment to the
custos, be but another name for the secret
punishments of 'the Inquisition—for tortures
long and formally banished from the administra•
tion of English law.ln Ireland, during 1798, when
low functionaries of all descriptions assumed
enormous privileges, and exercised them at their
own discretion, brutal treatment of prisoners,
was an occurrence of every day. Then, as it
seems to be now projected, there was a con-
currence, or rather jumble, of civil and military
jurisdiction ; and, as was natural, every base
tool of power in each department of the con-
federate tyranny worked hard for an unlimited
increase of his own license to oppress. Those
times were horrible, no man can look back upon
them without terror—too few, unhappily, on
either side of the question, without strong visita-
tions of remorse. Mr. O'Connell, we fear, does
not much exaggerate the iniquities or ab-
surdities of courtsmartial, as witnessed during
that rebellion. Mr. Lambert arraigned as in
the highest degree impolitic the revival of a
species of authority which had left behind it a
recollection so full of stings and heartburnings
in the national mind of Ireland. It is undoubt-

edly true that the courtsmartial of that cala-
mitous period were composed for the most part
of militia, or, we believe, even of yeomanry
members,—that is, of the most vindictive and
sanguinary partisans that ever were suffered by
the madness of a supreme Government to keep
open the ulcers of civil animosity, and to inflame
and perpetuate the horrors of domestic war.
We • are ready to admit that the materials of
courtsmartial, confined as they would now be
to officers of the regular army, must be con-
sidered less objectionable than those of the year
1798, and that the moving power,—namely,
the King's Government—itself is inspired with
a different and far better spirit. But still mili-
tary men are not fit depositaries of the judicial
functions. Lawyers are indisputably the best
judges of moral evidence. Mathematicians
may be, as they are accused of being, bad ar-
biters of moral questions, from requiring proof
too exact and conclusive ; but soldiers, we are
sure, err from the opposi'e cause—that of being
satisfied with insufficient testimony, and being
prone to decide (as they are often, from the
emergencies of their calling, forced to act, and
that promptly) from strong presumptions and
impressions. With the highest esteem for many
military men, and unbounded confidence in
their honour and integrity as a class, we have
met with very few among even the most expe-
rienced and distinguished of the profession,
who, in cases where truth might be arrived at
with perfect moral certainty, though not without
considerable intellectual difficulty, were capable
of so much patience, labour, and discrimination,
as would be indispensable towards extricating
important facts from a heap of artfully adjusted
rubbish, or a maze of seeming contradictions.
And now, when cross-examination by advocates
is to be allowed, and where the extreme refine-
ments of skill and talent may be exercised to per-
plex and confound the truth, and to set the
responsibility of a wrong decision in the most
alarming light before conscientious but unin-
structed judges, we can hardly permit ourselves
to hopethat anythingshort of occasional injustice
and general dissatisfaction can be. the result of
such a military tribunal. On the above two
points, therefore, we sympathize keenly with
Mr. O'Connell's fears and censures;-but there
it ends. His ripping up of the Henries, Eliza-
beths, &c., for proofs of the present tyranny
practised towards Ireland,—his recall of English
treacheries, in the face of the Irish Sicilian ves-
pers of 1642,—his total forgetfulness that when
left to their own native devices the Irish chief-
tains, princes; or whatever titles they rejoiced in,
were for ever cutting each other's throats, and
setting habitations on. fire,—and, finally, his
complaint that this measure takes away " the
Constitution" from Ireland, where murder and
violence the most atrocious and indefatigable
have long since rendered the Constitution a
mere shadow, in so far as it extended protection

or security to those of the King's subjects who
were not guilty of disgusting crimes,—all this,
and a great deal more, of the Learned Gentle-
man's speech amounted to pure shallow decla-
mation, was wholly beside the matter in debate,
and towards deciding the question of " neces-
sity" or no.necessity for an extraordinary mea-
sure was quite unworthy of notice.—Times.
We were pleased with the manly sense and
discrimination of Lord Duncannon s speech on
Monday evening. His Lordship appeared to
have well considered the actual state of Ireland,
and the degree and mode in which the prin-
ciple of a coercive Bill was applicable to it as a
necessary protection for society. He and Mr.
Lambert, Member for the county of Wexford
(which county seems by the way, to be fortu-
nate in its choice of representatives), confirmed,
by very striking and powerful statements, the
first and fundamental point contended for by
the friends of the Bill—amongst whom, so far,
we were and are willing to be reckoned,—and
not, we think, denied in any quarter but that of
the wildest and most audacious of the Irish
agitators,—viz., that the present condition of
Ireland is not that of a " free country," but of

-,

•
one which contains "in every village one or
two tyrants—hut in general one tyrant—stand-
ing forth prominently, and calling himself
the people.' " That's excellent ! " This
gentleman—, the people '—issues his mandates,
directing how respectable persons shall think,
speak, whom they are to admit into their
houses, and, in short, interfering with every
action of their lives." " This," adds Mr. Lambert,
with some naivete, 4, is not a comfortable state
of things." Not very, undoubtedly. So, Lord
Duncannon cited some provoking examples of
the savage despotism exercised by Whitefeet
over the respectable farmers on the Noble Lord's
estates. Men who had occupied farms fir 20
years were forced to abandon them at the bid-
ding of those ruffians; and persons were so ter-
rified at the risk of answering to their names
as jurors, that the Sheriff of the county of
Kilkenny was forced to raise the fine for non-
attendance to the enormous level of 501.1
Crimes, too, had increased frightfully in the
county of Carlow, during four quarters, from the
lst of December, 1831, and down to the 31st
of January, 1833 ; so that in the quarter ending
February 23, 1832, the return was 46
May :II ..' ... .
August 31, the quarter, including the hay and part of the
corn harvest, when employment is more plenty 6B
November 30 • ll6
And in the two first months of 1833 413
So much for one side of the question ; but
after all, that is one side of the question only.
The Noble Viscount and the Hon. Member
for the county of Wexford, as likewise his col-
league, Mr. Carew, have declared that tithe
must go—that, root and branch, that obnoxious
tax on industry must be annihilated. All Irish
gentlemen, with none but a few Orange excep-
tions, are agreed that they will refuse their sup-
port to Ministers on this Bill, unless a pledge be
given that its coercive powers shall not be made
in any manner auxiliary to the collection of tithe
for the clergy. Lord Duncannon gave, how-
ever, a far more important intimation of his sen-
timents upon the measures to be pursued
towards Ireland. His Lordship " was confident
that Parliament must turn its attention to some
provision for the poor." We hail this as the
most gratifying and auspicious declaration which
has yet proceeded from any individual of high
rank in Parliament, possessing at the same time
large Irish property, and holding a close con-
nexion with the Government of Lord Grey.
It is, indeed, quite obvious that the fountain
of all the disease and degradation of Ireland
has been, for ages, the grievous oppression
and dreadful privations of the poor.
Whatever minute evils may, by possibi-
lity, result from poor laws in their happiest form
and under their most discreet and upright ad-
ministration, or whatever from those unfortunate
though, we ho: e and believe, not necessary ad-
juncts, which, found in combination with them
throughout almost every district in England,
have so disturbed, if not disorganized, the whole
economy of other classes besides that of acknow-
ledged paupers ; still the grand distinction re-
mains, so glorious for this country, and for Ire-
land so lamentable, that no inhabitant of the
British soil can be suffered to perish for want
without a gross and flagrant violation of the
laws of England ; whilst in Ireland, Wan hun-
dred thousand families be on the point of famine,
not one individual of their countrymen, however
affluent, can be legally called upon to contribute
one shilling to their relief; but, on the con-
trary, there is, as in truth there has been, no
shield or safeguard between those wretched
beings and destruction but the sponta-
neous charity of that very English nation
against which it is the sworn task
of false and sordid incendiaries to inflame the
passions of the semibarbarous objects of her pro-
fuse and ill-requited bounty. We agree with
Lord Duncannon, that a provision must be made
for the Irish poor ; as for the amount of it being
equivalent to an agrarian " law, it was an absurd
exaggeration of Sir Robert Peel,. which a short
experience' of the working of well-adminis-
tered poor laws would rectify. Still that Right
Hon. Baronet himself admits, that a provision
for the poor must one day be contemplated by
Parliament, though not Yet. If Sir Robert Peel
wants time to make up-his mind upon the sub-
ject, so do not the poor, who famish. Since
this was written we have seen the statement in
reply of Lord Althorp, from which we may in-
fer that some plan for preventing absolute star-
vation in Ireland, if not brought forward, will
at least not be opposed by his Majesty's Govern-
ment. The Coercive Bill was read last night a first
time after a division of 466 against 89. Friday
is appointed for the recond reading.-- Times.

The building of the National Gallery on the
blank space in front of St. Martin's Church,
near Charing-cross, has given occasion to a vio-
lent controversy. Mr. Wilkins is chosen as the
architect of the new structure, a model of which
is to be seen by a favoured few at the office of
the Woods and Forests. The parishioners are
anxious that the portico of their church, which
they deem the model of perfection, should be
left as much as possible displayed to public view,
4nd assert that Mr. Wilkins can build nothing
like it. Mr. Wilkins, on the contrary, himself
Comes forward, and swears that the portico " is
naught,''_ and that his building only will be " the
Cynosure of future ages." He hates and handles
the Church of St. Martin's worse than even
Mr. Fenn, of sontentious mind and manners,
and, we verily believe, not only thinks that he
could make a much better church, but also a
better parson out of stone. Perhaps Mr. Fenn
May be. of the same opinion, except that he is
never of anybody's opinion but his own. Mr.
Gwilt, the translator of Vitruvius, and himself
an architect, has written a little pamphlet,
modestly twitting Mr.. Wilkins's vanity, and
standing up for the portico. We shall offer
a word or . two on the subject of Mr.
Wilkins's letter. The vacant space at Charing-
cross is undoubtedly a magnificent acquisition ;
we hope it will not be misapplied. Mr. Wilkins
would have the façade of his building to form
equal angles, at its two extremities, with the
south-east angle of the College of Physicians,
and the south-west angle of Duncannon-street ;
but is not the alignment of the opposite side of
the street facing the new building to be taken
into consideration, which, under Mr. Wilkins's
plan, would not front his new building, but run
off in a slanting, or transverse, direction from
north-east to south-west ? Undoubtedly the
belfry is a disfigurement to the magnificent church
of St. Martin's, but a tower for bells was thought
necessary to a Christian place of worship, and
if not indispensable is highly useful. What are
Mr. Wilkins's objections to the portico ? The
chief is, that the intervals between the columns
are two diameters and a half instead of two di-
ameters only ; but will not the different height of
the columns justify a deviation from ancient
models in the distances between them ? We know
loaktnwhyo built the College of Physicians, but what
hcolumns those are, and rendered yet more
hanky by the long unbroken flutings which run
up them ! and yet these, we believe, are at the

precise distance of two diameters from each
other. Then comes one of Mr. Wilkins's
notable pieces of vanity, which is .yet worse
nonsense in writing than vanity in the concep-
tion. " I will boldly state that the portico of
the London University," (built by me) "is
universally acknowledged to be the finest in
London.' Who told him so ?we ask. This
not what he meant : he meant to say it was
the finest ; but, not quite daring to take this
upon his own judgment, he shifts it off upon
others, upon an " universal acknowledgment."
We will boldly say, that neither Mr. Wilkins's
assertion, nor the converse of it, was ever
" universally acknowledged," and that people
universally thought nothing about it. "In the
occupation of his favoured site," Mr. Wilkins
says, " it is not the effect of any one building
that ought to be exclusively considered."
True ; but in producing a combined effect,
ought the happiest parts of two contiguous
buildings to block up and conceal each other ?
or ought that combined effect to be produced by the
display of the best parts of each ? It' Mr, Wilkins
blocks up the portico of St. Martin's Church,
he destroys one of the fairest features by
which the combined effect is to be produced.
Then comes a notable piece of vanity—" I can-
not affect a false humility" (that he can't, nor
feel a real one either), "and state that the in-
tended buildings will be of a secondary or even
of an equal character with that now existing. 1
should have passed a great many years of use-
less study, if I could not design something
very superior to that of St. Martin's church."
" Vitruvius," according to Mr. Wilkins's ac-
count of him, " describes himself as learned ;
we have taken him upon his own assertions,
notwithstanding the absence of all polish in his
language." Mr. Wilkins's language is not the
most happy and appropriate, but we know not
that this should be expected of a builder, either
ancient or modern.; and lie has need of at least
as much indulgence as Vitruvius. He says, " I
may be called vain, and I shall certainly be
thought so." He probably meant—" I may be
thought vain, and I shall certainly be called so."
" I reconcile myself to the charge, because I
am convinced that the time will come when it
will neither be expressed nor entertained."—
Times.

We sincerely congratulate the public, whose
dearest interests and best feelings are involved in
the restoration to their fellow-subjects in Ireland
of the blessings of peace, order, and security, on
the triumphant majority by which the House of
Commons has determined upon the adoption of
a measure which affords the hope that this im-
portant object may by its means be, at least in
some degree, attained. We need not be the
eulogist of this measure ; we need not insist
that it is the best that could have been devised
for the purpose it has in view, in order to justify
our gratulations upon the certain prospect of its
speedily becoming law. It is enough for us to
know that this is the measure without which
the Executive Government has virtually de-
clared itself incapable of affording in Ireland
that protection to life and property which is
the chief and original object of civil society,
casting off from itself all responsibility for
the future fate of that important section
of the empire, unless upon the condition
that it shall be armed with the extraordinary
poWers which this Bill confers, and that by the
demand of those powers Government has pro-
claimed its determination to grapple vigorously
with gigantic and intolerable .evils, and to sub-
due them. Knowing these things, we unfeignedly
rejoice that the measure has been so de9idedly
successful in Parliament. It is impossible to
consider a measure of this description, involving
an awful responsibility on the part of its authors,
and a responsibility, had it been rejected, scarcely
less awful on the part of its successful oppo-
nents, without comprehending in our views both
the state of Ireland and the state of parties in
Parliament and in this country. If the Bill be,
as some describe it—tyrannical—if it be harsh,
arbitrary, and oppressive beyond the necessity
of the case—if it present features so odious
Lhat no occasion could warrant their introduc-
tion, we should still say, combining the ne-
cessity of some extraordinary measure for the
suppression of political excitement and brutal
outrage in Ireland with the actual state of par-
ties in the Reformed Parliament, that the pass-
ing of even such a Bill would be a smaller prac-
tical evil titan its rejection. The Bill is stringent,
no doubt ; but the Liberals who object to it on
that account, when they recollect that they have
so reformed our national representation as to
leave the Ministers of the Crown without com-
petitors for office, and to make them, by neces-
sary consequence, absolute in Parliament, instead
of complaining, ought rather to rejoice that it is
not more stringent still. We propose to-mor-
row to attempt a resume of the debate. After
a very long speech from Mr. O'Connell, which
we understand greatly disappointed the expecta-
tions of his party, the House divided yesterday
morning, at two o'clock, when the numbers
were—for the first reading of the Bill, four
hundred and sixty-six ; against it, eighty-nine ;
presenting an overwhelming majority of three
hundred and seventy-seven in favour of the
measure.—Morning Post.

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

WESTERN -CIRCUIT.—SAusguAr, MARCH 5.

The Commission for the county of Wilts was
opened here on Saturday last by Mr. Justice PARK.
The Calendar contains the names of ninety-one pri-
soners, but none for very heavy offences.

THREATENING LETTER.
Joseph Moore was indicted for having caused to
be written and delivered to James Webb a certain
threatening letter, with the view to extort money
from him under a threat of accusing him of an in-
famous crime, on the 13th of February.
Mr. BINGHAM, for the prosecution, called James
Webb, who deposed that he had been cashier to
the Trowbridge Batik fur twenty-three years. Was
sent for by the gentlemen of the Guardian Society
to the George Inn on the Ist of February, where
he remained till eleven o'clock. Remained with
Mr. Match, Mr. Maudry, and Mr. Hall till past 12
o'clock in another part of the house. The prisoner
came into that room just after them ; he had never
seen him before. Shortly after they had left the
house the prisoner asked witness to go up Spails-
lane, where there were some girls living. They
went and inquired fur the girls, hut were told by a
man that they were gone. Witness said he should
go home, when the prisoner said, " I'll tell you, or
I'll let you know, to-morrow morning." Witness
replied, " To-morrow morning, what ?" upon
which the prisoner said he would have some
money. Witness said, "Money what do you
mean ?" Prisoner replied, " If you don't give
me some money I'll tell." Witness thought
if it came to his wife's ears it would be un-
pleasant, so he gave him some silver; they then se-
parated. Prisoner called at his house about nine
o'clock on the evening of the 9th of February.
Witness went to the door to him. He said, " I'm
come to see you." Witness replied, " See me !
what for ?" He replied,-" I can tell you." Wit-
ness said, " Tell what ?" He said, " Oh, I can
tell." Witness said, " Don't stand here, as people

are passing." Witness went a little way off, when
the prisoner said, " Give me half a sovereign, and
1 will not trouble you again, but I will not take
less." Witness found be had only Bs. in silver.
The prisoner said if •he would give him that he
would never say anything more to. him. The wit-
ness then gave him the money, and he left. Wit-
ness was called out of the bank between two and
three o'clock on the 11th. Prisoner was at the
door, and said, " I'm come to see you again."
Wiiness said, " To see me ! I'll inform your master
of your conduct." Prisoner said his master was
nothing to him ; but if witness d.d not give him a
sovere'gri he would tell of him. This so intimidated
him that he immediately ran into the bank, took a
sovereign out of the till, and gave it to the prisoner.
Witness shortly after disclosed all the circumstances.
On the 13th this paper was [nought to him by the
prisoner's mother.
Lydia Moore received the paper from the prisoner.
Took it to Mr. Webb.
The piper was read—" Mr. Webb, I du find myself
not wrighted, and if you do not make vurther amends, I
shall not be sadis,fied.
" JOSEPH Mooait.”
Thomas Walker, a clerk in the same bank with
the prosecutor, received the note from the woman.
Saw prisoner, who admitted that the note came
from him. Asked prisoner what lie meant ? He
said Mr_ Webb used him very ill, had pulled him
about, and had broken the buttons off his breeches.
Prosecutor said, " You rascal, do you want to blast
my character, or to extort money ?" Witness said
it was very evident to him th it he bad extorted mo-
ney several times, and he would advise him to be
very ca. dol. Prisoner said he did not care; he
should have some money, for he did not mind two
or three months' prison or treadmill. The situation
of Mr. Webb was a most confidential one.

Several persons who were present that night stated
that it was impossible anything improper could have
taken place.
James Bright wrote the note for the prisoner.
The Jury found the prisoneri Guilty.—Transpor-
tation for life.

NORTHERN CIRCUIT.—Yortx, MARCH 4.

The Commission of Assize for this place was
opened at the Castle on Saturday. Yesterday Mr.
Justice ALDERSON and Mr. Baron GURNEY at-
tended divine service in the Cathedral.

This morning Mr. Justice ALDERSON tried four
prisoners in the Guildhall of the city, and then pro-
ceeded to the Nisi Prius Court in the Castle.
Nothing of importance occurred, and the Court
rose early.
The calendar contains a list of 66 prisoners, which
is considered rather light as to number, but three of
the cases are for murder, and there are some other
very serious offences.
John Pickles was put to the bar charged with sa-
crilege. The prisoner was indicted at the last as-
sizes, together with two others, of the names of
Spurr and Fawcett. The two latter were tried then
and convicted, but Pickles escaped apprehension until
after those assizes, but having been since taken into
custody, he was now tried for the offence. On the
20th day of August last the Church of South Kirby
in the West Riding, was feloniously entered by
means of a large hedge-stake having been put be-
neath the great doors, and the doors thereby raised
up so as to slip the bolt of the lock over the
fastening, which was a staple, open at the top.
The thieves had broken open a chest, and taken
from it fifteen bottles of sacramental wine, a pewter
flagon, and the silver top of a sacramental cup, beside
a smaller box within the large one, containing
some of the records of the parish, and which was
found the next morning in a close near the place.
On the morning of the 21st of August three men
were seen by the gamekeeper of a Mr. Hardy at a
distance of about 12 miles from South Kirby, and,
suspecting them to be poachers, he followed them.
They had a poke, which appeared to contain some-
thing hard, and as one of them got over a Stile the
poke struck against the stile, and a bottle broke,
and some red wine ran out. The gamekeeper then
called a farming man, who was in a field they were
passing through. The two prisoners before con-
victed were seen to go into a plantation, and when
followed by the farming man, were found kneel-
ing in a ditch. They were both taken, and upon
'earching the place several bottles of wine, the
pewter flagon, and the top of the silver cup, were
found. These articles were clearly identified as hav-
ing been stolen from the church on the Sunday in
question.

The Jury found the prisoner Guilty, and he re-
ceived sentence of transportation for life.
John Crossley, late of Soyland, in the West
Riding, was charged, upon the oaths of Lessey
Crossley and others, wiih having, on the 18th
day of October last, feloniously and unlawfully
married and taken to wife, at Elland church, in the
township of Elland-with-Greatland, in the said rid-
ing, one Barbara Berry, the said Lessey Crossley,
his former wife, being then alive.
The prisoner pleaded guilty to the charge, but
said that he had lived with his former wife eight
years, by whom he had two children. He always
worked hard, and carried her home 245. every week,
but her conduct was so bad that he could not
live with her any longer, and therefore he left her
for peace sake, and after he had wandered about
for a year he met with Barbara, and unfortunately
married her. He acknowledged his crime, and im-
plored the mercy of the Court. The brother of
his former wife and some other witnesses were
called, from whose evidence it appeared that the
account he had given was too true. He was taken
into custody on the day after his second marriage.
The Learned Judge sentenced him to 12 months'
imprisonment and hard labour.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

MANSION- HO USE.

Yesterday morning the justice-room was crowded
to excess by merchants and shipowners belonging to
the city, for the purpose of hearing the final exa-
mination of Noah P. Fo/gar, who stands charged
with attempting to assassinate W. Mellish, Esq.
Mr. Mellish was in attendance, having perfectly
recovered from the wounds; a slight bandage only
being used to keep the cold from the neck.
Mr. Mellish was acquainted with the prisoner,
who was in his service as a commander of a South
Sea vessel. He was out for two years and a half,
and returned about two years and a half ego. Prom
the account which he had received from the com-
manders of other vessels and the officers under the
prisoner's command, he had made up his mind to
discharge him. Upon the day on which he was
wounded he did not see the prisoner; at first he
thought he had been struck with a bludgeon; and
it was not until after he had been at the house of
Mr. Miles that he was aware of being wounded.
Charles Stowers, in the employ of Mr. Mellish,
deposed being sent to Cornhill to meet his employer,
when he saw the prisoner, who asked him if he ex-
pected to see Mr. Mellish ? He said " Yes," when
the prisoner said, "Then it won't do for us to be
seen together."

Other witnesses were examined, whose evidence
has already been before the public.
The prisoner was committed on the capital charge.

Mr. LYALL, M.P. for London, is, we be-
lieve, a native of Newcastle, and left the north when he
was about ten years of age. His father was the owner of
a small vessel which traded between this port and Ham-
burg. Owing little, therefore, to his original station, it is
highly creditable to 11r. LYALL to have pushed his for-
tune so successfully as to arrive at the distinction of be-
coming one of the representatives of the metropolis.—
Tyne Mercury.

On Friday a serious accident occurred to
Miss SMITHSON in Paris.
.She had been out in a car-
riage for three or four hours, and on alighting at her re•
sidence, No. 109, Rue de Fdubourg St. Honore, her
dress caught in the step ; on turning to extricate it her
font slipped, when she fell and broke her leg, just above
the ankle. It was immediately set, and she is as cheerful
as so unfortunate an accident will allow. She was to have
taken her benefit at the Italian Theatre in a few days.

~° y
kT

IRELAND-WEXFORD ASSIZES, MARCH 3.

Pending the discussions on the Irish Disturbances Bill, every
information on subjects touching such a measure must be of
interest to your readers; I, therefore, proceed to give you a
summary of the facts which. the present assizes are here
developing.
The Commission was opened in this town on Thursday, the
f2Sth ult., by Mr. Justice Torrens and Baron Foster. The lat.
ter, in his charge to the Grand Jury, expressed his regret that
the county of Wexford, which had been for many years dis-
tinguished for the civilized and peaceable conduct of its people,
was now become the scene of that species of lawlessness and
disturbance which had heretofore been confined to other parts
of England. It had been repbrted, his Lordship stated, by the
peace.officers of the county, that the number of crimes com-
mitted since the last assizes were no less than 130,—a1l of a cha-
racter to prove that the county was visited by those persons who
had combined to overturn society, and erect a despotism of the
most tyrannous and capricious kind. Thirteen individuals ac-
cused of the outrages which have disgraced the adjacent counties
of Carlow and Kilkenny, were to be tried for offences perpe-
trated under that system of intimidation which denounces the
laws and institutions of the country.

James Jackman, one of the thirteen persons just mentioned,
was on Friday tried for aiding and abetting in the murder of
J. Roche, at Old.town, in this county, on the night of the
10th of August last. The circumstances were, that the de-
ceased was, on the above night, severely beaten by a number
of persons at his own house; and received a bruise on the head,
of which he died a fortnight after. It was proved that Jack-
man was one of those persons, and that he broke two windows
of the house.—He was found guilty, and sentenced to be hanged
tomorrow.

Yesterday, another person of the name of Jackman, and
John Redmond, were indicted for the murder of two women,
mother and daughter, of the name of Maddocks, who lived
at Townfarney, in this county, and a policeman named Wright,
on the 22d of last November. This is the atrocious case
which has been frequently alluded to in Parliament and else.
where, within the last three months. It appeared from the
evidence, that the unfortunate inmates of Maddock's house
were alarmed, on the night in question, by their house being
on fire, and the report of fire-arms. Maddocks had been re-
siding on the lands of Townfarney for the last three years, and
having shortly before received notice to give up his farm,
which had previously been in the possession of one Redmond,
father of the prisoner John Redmond, two policemen were sent
to his house to protect it and the family. On the first alarm,
the policemen and the family rushed out of the house, when
Wright, one of the policemen, and the two Maddocks, mother
and daughter, were shot on the spot. The mother survived a
few hours, and declared that Redmond had leaped on her
body, after she had fallen by the shot. The father and one
of his sons were severely beaten, and left as dead, but
have since recovered. It was fully proved that Redmond
was present with nine or ten others at the burning and mas-
sacre; and the dying declaration of the mother, that her death
lay upon the said Redmond and, the son-in-law of one Nanny
Long (Jackman), who was proved to be in the neighbourhood,
implicated the latter. An alibi was set up by both prisoners,
but failed. They were, therefore, found guilty, and sentenced
to be hanged also tomorrow. There is a belief, however, en-
tertained, that as there appeared in the evidence to be a great
difference between the offences of Redmond and Jackman, the
latter may be respited, and transported for life. When the
verdict of guilty was announced, Redmond declared, in the
most firm and determined manner, that he himself had done
the murder; and that Jackman, his companion at the
bar, and the person of that name, convicted on the pre-
vious day, were innocent of the crimes laid to their charge!!
Jackman declared the same ; and the manner and tone
in which both prisoners made their asseverations, produced a
very great sensation in a very crowded court.
The other ten prisoners are to be tried to-morrow, under the
Insurrection and Whiteboy Acts, for illegally assembling at
night in arms, taking and administering unlawful oaths, and
attacking and robbing various houses of fire-arms. Messrs.
Hazard, Hatchet, and Roche, defended the prisoners already
tried ; and the two latter have been retained for all the White-
feet. Their efforts and ingenuity; however, are not likely to
screen these misguided men from the penalty of the law ; as
the general opinion is, that they have been all more or less in-
volved in the crimes of which they are accused by emissaries
from other disaffected counties ; and that the County Wexford
Juries will, as they have hitherto done, do their duty. This
should prove to Earl Grey the inutility of martial law.

GREAT STEEPLE CHASE AT ST. ALBANS.

This sporting event took place on Tuesday, to the satisfaction
of a numerous company. Warwickshire, Leicestershire, and
two or three other crack hunting counties, were to send some
of their best nags; in fact, at the outset, everything promised
fair ; one circumstance, however, contributed to the numeri-
cal inferiority of the field, viz.—the entry of the well-known
Grimaldi, whose performances last year deservedly placed him
at the top of the tree in racing of this description ; this, added
to a well authenticated report, that he would be ridden by no
less a personage than the renowned Northamptonshire Squire,
Mr. Osbaldeston, served to keep others back. All the
arrangements of the race were left to Mr. Coleman, of St.
Albans, whose experience in hunting and racing mat-
ters, added to his extensive connections, enabled him to
bring together a field of horses that could scarcely have been
expected under the disadvantages mentioned. By the time
specified in the conditions, the Turf Tavern was thronged with
sporting characters, much to the hindrance of the weighing,
mounting, &c ; by the same hour the town, also, boasted ac.
cession of visiters certainly not less numerous than were con.
gregated last year. _ _

Before giving particulars of the race, we may state its con.
ditions :—" A steeple stakes of 10 sovs. each, free for any
horse, carrying 12 stone each, four miles across a line of
country marked with flags, within 28 miles of London; no
person to ride more than 100 yards on any road or lane in the
race. The start to be named to the riders after weighing;
the winner to pay ten guineas, and the winning horse to be
sold for 400 sovereigns, if demanded within three hours after
the race; the owners of horses that start to have the preference
for the first hour."

By the time prescribed the following horses were named :
Mr. Fairley's b. g. Antelope Riders. Mr. Beau.
Captain Chester's ch. h. Skyscraper .... Mr. Fellows.
Mr. G. Elmore's ch. g. Bogy Captain Beecher.
Mr. Calvert's b. g. The Druggist Mr. Seffert.
Mr. D. Radcliffe's g. g. Pantaloon Mr. Mason.
Mr. Cardale's b. g. Surrey Owner.
Mr. Elmore's b. h. Pall-Mall Unknown.
...

Mr. Shoulbridge's b. h. Zanga Owner.
Mr. Shoulbridge's ch. g. Hotspur
Mr. Hale's g. g. Grimalkin
Mr. Gardiner' b. b. h. Talisman
Mr. King.

Mr. Curwen's b. g. Druid Owner.
Mr. Evans's g. g. Grimaldi
It will be seen by the above that Grimaldi, who had fright.
ened so many away, was withdrawn. This is attributed by
some to a slight lameness, and by others to an intention on the
part of the owner to reserve him for the Northamptonshire
Steeple Chase. Mr. Osbaldeston being thus left disengaged, he
was prevailed on to act as umpire; in conjunction with Mr.
Meyrick. After the usual preliminaries of weighing, sad_
dling, &c., the riders mounted, and were conducted to the start.
ing.post—Tittinenger-green, aboutfivemiles from St. Alban's,
on the London side.

The first mile was a fine open flat country, with three or
four rasping fences, and a brook that was not to be "sneezed
at." The next three-quarters was up-hill, with ploughed fields
and stiffish fencing. At this point (Hill.end Farm), the first
flag was placed, others being planted at proper intervals between
it and the finish. The next half mile was slightly on the de-
scent, small enclosed fields, and a " bullfincher" or two. The
remainder was pretty smooth, with fair hunting fences. The
four miles, and they were not short ones, terminated in a field
about a mile from St. Albans, the winning horse having to
leap an easy fence between two flags placed on fir trees imme.
diately on the other side; this fence left Beaumont's farm a
field or two to the right, and the brick-kilns to the left.
About twenty.five minutes past three the horses started in
fair.racing like style. Antelope was the first on his legs, and
led at a smart pace, the Druggist lying second, and Bogy third ;
Surrey, Skycraper, and one or two others, were also well up.
Antelope kept in front to the second fence, where he fell, the
Druggist at the same moment favouring his rider with a pretty
correct imitation of it. Bogy was then first, but was instantly
passed by Surrey, whose qualifications were at once put to
proof by the brook ; he did contrive to sneak his way through
it, and by some forbearance on the part of those behind him
managed to keep the lead for two or three fields more. Ante-
lope then resumed his original position, and, with the Drug-
gist and Bogy in the same places they occupied at the com-
mencement, led them along at a merry pace, considering the
ground, till five fields from the winning one, when the two
greys, Pantaloon and Grimalkin, fell at the edge, owing to
the hole occasioned by uprooting a tree not having been pro.
perly filled up—their chances were thereby concluded. Ante-
lope cleared the fence, and went rather out of his line to the
left. Bogy was close behind, and Skyscraper nearly alongside,
but considerably higher up on the right ; he, too, was out of the
direct line. Behind these three was the Druggist, who, how.
crier, had by this time received his quietus. There was no
other change of position, Antelope winning cleverly by
nearly three lengths, Skyscraper second, Bogy a most
respectable third, and the Druggist fourth; the others came
in at long intervals, many of them having had falls. An-
telope's rider was nearly a stone above weight, which enhances
the merit of his performances; the Skyscrapers say that 'he
would have won, if he had not gone so much to the right ; and
we know that Bogy would have been more forward, if he had
been in better condition. The four miles were not timed, but
we do not think that they could have been run under 17 or
18 minutes; the betting was slack, and not by any means ge-
neral—it was three to one against the winner, and five to four
on the field against any two ; Druggist and Surrey were fancied
by a few, who were not able to get on to any amount.
Mr. Coleman, by way of a finale, has procured the Essex
stag hounds and the famous Copthall deer, to afford diversion of
a similar character to a large number of sportsmen, who are
remaining in the neighbourhood.

THE WONDROUS TALE OF ALROY.--•
4, This work is full of all sorts of beauties. Debarred the
stage in its present state, for which the talents of the
author are peculiarly suited, Mr. Din,Artu embodies
stage effects in a romance. The subject is conceived with
great boldness the plot is perfectly original—it is essen-
tially, and even superbly, dramatic. It will doubtless be
adapted to the stage for which it is eminently well suited.
We cordially recommend these remarkable volumes to the
attention they will unquestionably receive."-...New
Monthly Magazine.