The Sun.
London, England, 1851-09-25 00:00:00

44, ,iitfl :ctliceo

LONDON, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1851

Viscount PALMERBTON, as one of the more saga-
cious among the national representatives, has availed
himself of the Parliamentary recess by placing him-
self personally in communication with his political
supporters at Tiverton. Elsewhere in our impression
of this evening will be found a report of the very in-
teresting speeches delivered upon this occasion—an
occasion which would have been a subject fraught
with very considerable attraction had Lord PALMER-
STON been simply a Member of the House
of Commons, but which assumes to itself
in the present instance a peculiar importance
from the circumsnance of the Noble Lord's ministe-
rial position as her MAJESTY'S Principal Secretary of
State for the Foreign Department. Throughout Eu-
rope not one of our statesmen is more generally
dreaded by the more despotic administrations, and
not one more earnestly respected by the liberal
multitude. Throughout England, moreover, not one
amongst our rulers has acquired a larger share of
popularity ; and hence it is that the speech deli-
vered yesterday evening in the presence of his con-
stituents by the Noble Lord will be read far and
wide with more than ordinary emotions of curiosity.
The harangue will be found on examination to be one
eminently befitting an assemblage of a political and
yet, at the same time, of a convivial character, relating
as it does in an agreeably discursive manner to most
of the more enthralling topics of the day and connect-
ing them with each other by the tone of liberality in
which they are alike particularised. Naturally and
almost inevitably there was in the very commence-
ment of Lord PALMERSTON'S speech an allusion
to the brilliant success attendant upon the
opening of the Great Industrial Exhibition.
From this sprang by necessity a warm eulogium upon
its princely originator, an eulogium everywhere pro-
nounced and everywhere responded to with acclama-
tions. Speaking of the decorum visible among the
vast multitude who have during the bygone summer
visited the Crystal Palace in Hyde-park—a multitude,
remember, consisting not alone of the residents in the
metropolis and of visitors from the provinces, but
numbering in its ranks an extraordinary proportion of
foreigners, both from the eastern and the western he-
misphere—the Foreign Secretary, in a strain of very sim-
ple but on that account not less persuasive eloquence at-
tibuted the tranquillity displayed throughout that
memorable gathering of the nations to the ameliorative
influence of many gigantic improvements of a legis-
lative character. He mentioned with an air of
pleasantry the surprise experienced by the majority
of foreigners by seeing mingled with the concourse
merely a sprinkling of a few civil policemen with
each a bit of stick in his hand, instead of a glittering
throng of soldiers, armed with sabres, muskets, and
bayonets. Enumerating one by one the principal
reforms introduced by Parliament during the past
half century, Lord PALMERSTON crowned the whole
catalogue with the sententious remark that to such
laws as the Test and Corporation Acts, as the Act of
Catholic Emancipation, as the Acts affecting the
burden of tithes and mitigating several of the more
stringent and unpopular kinds of taxation, or as those
late Acts which have totally abolished the imposts
upon food and liberated the entire system of naviga-
tion—that to such enactments is traceable the secret
of the potence imparted to the little stick seen in the
hand of the policeman ! The observation is one
worthy of being conned well by the more reflective
among our contemporaries on the continent.
A wholesome reminder was vouchsafed last evening
to the Protectionists, a reminder in the wisdom of
which no incredulity would be expressed by the Hon.
Gentleman the Representative of Buckinghamshire.
When," said Lord PALMERSTON, addressing his
constituents, "you see the river Ex running up from
the sea to Tiverton, instead of running down from
Tiverton to the sea, you may then look upon it that
Protection is near at hand." A somewhat more ex-
plicit reference to the peace apostles we should have
preferred on the part of the Foreign Secretary. It
would have warmed the hearts of those listening to
him to have heard the men in whose mouths butter
melteth not correctly characterized by Viscount
PALM.CRSTON—those infatuated philanthropists who
while the world is being stunned with the roar of can-
nonading, while the streets of Paris, of Vienna, of
Buda, of Frankfort, and of Palermo were running
with the blood of their citizsns, could dream, seriously
and deliberately, of the immediate advent of the time
when

" Thts tender infant in its hand shall tako
Tho created basilisk and speckled snake."

Turning, however, from these good natured but fan

tastic personages to others of a more important cha-
racter, the Noble Lord alluded next to these per-
nicious arguments which tend to render the labouring
classes discontented with their social position. En-
larging upon the necessity of toil, he exclaimed,

"There may be some other planet, or there may be
some land in this planet hitherto undiscovered, like
that lubber laud, that fabulous land of which we have
heard, where it is said that pigs run about ready
roasted with knives and forks sticking in their backs,
crying Come and eat me,' but unless in some fa-
voured region of that kind, it is plain that men must
labour for their existence." Insisting upon the same
truth as universally applicable among all classes of
society, Sir BULWER LYTTON has, in his latest
"Novel," given us that beautiful sermon of
Parson DALE, enforcing the text, " Each man
shall bear his own burthen"—a text taken from
Galatians. Of the veracity of that inspired declara-
tion, we conceive that the career alike of author and
statesman afford sufficiently emphatic testimony.
Yet with the lot of all humanity the systematic dis-
turbers of public tranquillity would, if possible, dis-
gust the industrial multitude. Hence the disor-
ganization of so many of the states of
Europe. Hence, however, happily no dis-
organization hitherto amongst ourselves. It is
consequently with a certai❑ feeling of satisfaction
that a statesman like Lord PALMERSTON finds himself
commenting upon those poisonous doctrines of So-
cialism which have heretofore proved powerless in
England in provoking a general sentiment of dis-
satisfaction. Happily, if gloomy in some few par-
ticulars, the social and political psition of Great
Britain presents a cheering spectacle to her states•
men, and, amongst them all, that spectacle is not the
least welcome to Viscount PALMERSTON, to the influ-
ence of whose administrative genius much of our na-
tional prosperity is attributable.

The trial of Wir.Lram WEALE, alias "Brother
FR ~NCIS," which took place yesterday at the G uild-
hall, Westminster, attracted a numerous audience.
It would appear as if the practice of "flagellation"
were becoming fashionable, and that the amateurs of
that noble amuTement were anxious to ascertain how
far they could indulge in their amiable predilection
with celDPArAtive impunity, and escape, on the ran

occasions when they might be called to public ac-
count fur their conduct, with the imposition of trifling
fines. " The sickly sentimentalists," as those ob-
jecting to undue corporal punishment are
facetiou.sly termed, had succeeded in abolish-
ing the good old practice of " flogging at the
cart's tar for any trifling infraction of the law. But,
fortunately, although the public use of "the cat-o'-
nine tails" bia fallen into abeyance, there are many of
" the great •unpaid " who omit no opportunity of re-
sorting to if privately, and directing the administra-
tion of the lash within the precincts of the gaol cn
every possible occasion, and that not only on juvenile
culprits, but on full-grown bearded men, who might
erroneou sly be; supposed to have out-grown such
gentle methods of persuasion and correction.
It had also been to the horror and dismay of some
fine old i nartinets, if not totally abandoned in the
army, at least so greatly reduced, both in quantity
and quality, as to lead to gloomy vaticinations on the
part of thof e gallant veteran: as to the future enforce..
rent of en ilitary discipline. That " the, service was
going to the d-1," was a point which apparently
admitted of, no dispute, since it was no longer
possible to destroy physically and morally
the suldie:r, who had been guilty of the most trivial
offence. Those gentlemen who had, perhaps, never
trod " the tented field"—who had never emelt gun-
powder, save at reviews at Hounslow or Woolwich,
who had spent their lives in merely " playing at sol-
diers," and who thought that the perfection of mili-
tary skill:consisted in keeping " d—d tight hands"
over the men under their command, ventured to
sneer at the hero of Meeanee and Hyderabad, and to
cavil at a "NAPIER" for advocating the total aboli-
lition of the degrading and infamous penalty, save
on actual service in the face of an enemy, or in the
colonies where, on rare occasions, it might be re-
quired. The decadence of the practice in the army
is, however, in some degree compensated by the fact
that it still flourishes in rich luxuriance in the other
branch of the service, and that not only any captain
in,the Royal Navy, but any person holding a tempo-
rary command, may order the administration of some
dozens of lashes at his mere will and plea-
sure, and that without any trial, or, indeed,
any real cause beyond the momentary caprice
of the judge. This is, indeecl, a glorious
consolation ; but the band of innovation is busy even
there, and it is by no means impossible that " flog-
ging in the Navy" may, ere long, receive " a heavy,
blow and great discouragement" through the exer-
tions of " those vile philanthropists who affect to feel
a morbid sympathy for human suffering."
There was, however, one stronghold from which
they could not be routed. Legions of schoolmasters
stood firm to the ancient faith, and " plied the busy
rod " with unceasing assiduity. The mantle of
COLERIDGE'S Philomallz had descended on many
worthy successors—men who, as the poet described,
would, while conveyed away by cherubim?, have
inevitably attempted to flog some one or more of
their angelic bearers, if such an act were not ren-
dered physically impossible by their peculiar conforma-
tion, or who, with the pedagogue of poor Toss
Hoop, would feel the bitterest regret, because the pit
to which he was condemned was " bottomless."
But even that "fortress " had been invaded.
Sundry good men and true bad been brought
before magistrates to answer for administering
excessive punishment, but there were still worthies
on the bench who thought that " youths ought with
more than Spartan fortitude to rejoice in receiving
the heaviest corporal chastisement for the honour of
the academies of which they were pupils." Such was
the view of Mr. TYRWULTT, who either dismissed the
cases brought before him, or inflicted such petty
fines as to afford practical encouragement to similar
acts. Mr. COME had, however, evinced a very dif-
ferent spirit. That gentleman felt when WEALE (name
most appropriate) was brought before him, that his
powers were utterly inadequate to deal with a case
of so aggravated a character. He accordingly sent
it to the sessions to ba dealt with, and yesterday was
the time fixed for the trial.

The facts, which were established beyond the
possibility of doubt, are already familiar to the
public, so that a brief recapitulation is all that will
be required. It appeared that cries bad often been
heard from the school, but that on the
21st of July last they were of such a
character that a person named lIINCBLEY, a
respectable cab-proprietor—who is deserving of the
highest credit for bis conduct on the occasion—went
to the place, and called to the persons inside the
building to desist. " When he arrived at the door he
saw a child who was outside of the school in a
crouching position. Saw the child's legs were much
scarified from the ancle to the thighs. His back
was like raw beef. Tne child appeared exhausted,
and had been so severely punished that he could not
stand. There were marks on him as thick as his
(v. itness's) finger. Upon seeing them he kicked at the
school room door. The wounds were blue and black on
the legs. When he had kicked at the door the defendant
came out dressed in his robes, with beads and a large
cross upon him. Witness inquired how he had come
to use a poor child like that, and he inquired in reply
what business that was of his. The Rev. Mr. LET TON,
who was at his elbow, called him to account for his
conduct and the cruelty to the child, and told him that
if he heard any more of it be should call the attention
of the magistrates to.it; but witness said that he
would do so now, and immediately sent for a police-
man. Defendant said he had chastised the child for
not coming to catechism, and then said it was for
lying and for stealing a paint-brush. The policeman
coming up, the defendant asked permission to go and
change his robes, but contrived to make his escape at
the back of the school. He was eventually taken in
Charlton-terrace, and conveyed before Mr. Cosine,
the magistrate, who heard the charge, and
the defendant was bound over in recogniatnces.
The unfortunate victim was a child of six year.; of
age, and the instrument of torture by which he had
been assailed was a gutta percha whip, wielded by the
brawny arm of a powerful man. Mr. HUDDLE-
STONE, a surgeon, examined the child on the 29th of
July. He lifted his petticoats and saw that the pos-
terior part of his person was black to a considerable
extent. His thigh on the right side was full of cuts,
long and deep, and in some instances they were half
an inch wide, side by side, and interlacing each other.
In seven instances the skin was destroyed. There
were several stripes across the loins. He believed
that they were produced by such a whip as that pro-
duced, and that the blood had been drawn by the
skin coming against the fertile. The marks he had
seen indicated great violence."
Such was the description of the injuries by the medi-
cal witness, a description sufficient to excite a thrill
of horror through the crowded court. But, although
the case was clearly established in the police-court,
the defendant (who we rejoice to say is not, as
alleged, a clergyman of the Roman Catholic or any
other persuasion) was continued in his situation, and
that he had not made any change in his system from the
jeopardy in which he was placed, or learned any salu-
tary lesson from the magisterial lecture, may be known
from the facts stated;, by Mr. PARRY, that " the cries
of children had been frequent from the same school."
since the hearing before Mr. CO MBE. After a
patient and impartial investigation the jury
found the defendant guilty of an assault,
and he was sentenced by Sergeant ADAMS
to three months' imprisonment. Although
we feel this punishment is scarcely adequate to the
offence, it will still, we trust, act as a wholesome
warning to others against abusing their powers, or
perpetrating such acts of cold-blooded and inhuman
cruelty.

DEATH OF MR. FIELD, OF THE BANK OF
ENGLAND. —This morning, at eight o'clock, Mr. Francis
Field, aged 62 years, who received such serious injuries on
Friday morning last, expired in the accident ward of St.
Thomas's Hospital, after very great suffering. Mr. M‘Murdu
and his assistant (Mr. Te.inby) rendcrdd every possible aid
to the unfortunate gentleman, but no hopes were given of his
recovery from the time of his admission. The deceased had
been many years in the Power of Attorney-office, at the
Bank of England, and was highly connected. Mr. W.
Payne, the c,roner, will hold an inquest on the body to-
morrow (Friday) evening.

TAXES.—There is no ten per cent. or any amount
of per centage upon the inhabited home tax, nor the property
and income-tax, why, then, not take it off the other assessed
taxes, namely, servants, horses, carriages, horse dealers, hair
powder, armorial bearings, and game certificates? It is but
just that such per-centage should be struck °ff....From a
Correspondent.

RUSSIAN PGTATOES.—The vessel Tropic, from St.
Petersburgh, has brought 200 packages of potatoes, the
growth and produce of Russia. The vessel in which this
iroportatin took place belongs to the United Stater.

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

We have received the Paris journals of yesterday.
They are almost exclusively filled with the ac-
counts of the death of LOPEZ, received through the
London papers of Tuesday. His widow is at present
in Paris. She has been separated from him for a long
time. She belongs to a wealthy family of Cuba.
The Minister of the Interior entered Rheims with
extraordinary pomp. The archbishop turned cut at
the head of the clergy, the National Guards and all
the functionaries turned out, and the Minister entered
the town with a salute of thirteen guns, accompanying
him to the church, the bells ringing in his ears as he
was led to the Prefecture. He held a levee, and reviewed
the National Guards, and left amidst another salvo of
artillery.
There is a rather remarkable article in the Pays,
by M. DE LAMARTINE, on the question of the candi-
dateship for the presidency of the Republic. It is
proper to state, however, that M. DE LAMARTINE
speaks in his own name only, not in that of the Pays,
for he declares that his collaborateurs are all free to
express their own opinions, and in their own way. lle
disapproves of every name that has been brought for-
ward as yet for the Presidency, and assigns the mo-
tives of his objections; but, supposing the constitu-
tional re-election of LOUIS NAPOLEON to be possible,
he would prefer him to any of the candidates who
have been mentioned, notwithstanding his repulsion
for the name of BONAPARTE, because he thinks that
with LOUIS NAPOLEON there would be the greatest
chance of maintaining the Republic.
The PRESIDENT went on Friday to the Hospital of
Val-de.Grace, to see the two artillerymen who were
so dreadfully wounded recently in the exercise at
Vincennes. lle expressed to them his deep regret
for the calamity that had occurred, and made them a
present of 200 E, with a promise to do something per-
manent for their benefit. During his visit a blind
soldier, who had been in the hospital 45 years, was
presented to the PRESIDENT, who generously pre-
sented him with 200 f.
His Royal highness Don HENRY of Spain, and his
wife, the Duchess of SEVILLE, have arrived in Paris,
and alighted at the Hotel des Princes, to remain until
after the accouchement of the Princess.
The illessager says—
" Capital was never more abundant than it is now.
On the 16th of this month the purchase of Rentes at the
Bourse amounted to 340,000 f. for money; on the 17th,
170,0001.; on the 18th, 75,000 E; and on the 20th,
151,0001.; making a total of 683,0001., which, at 91f.,
represents a capital of 12,430,600 f."
The Bourse reporter of the Sieicle says—" Never
during the most shameful stock-jobbing under the
last reign, has the Bourse been subjected to scheming
of all kinds, financial, political, and agitating."
The sums paid into the Paris Savings Bank during
the past week amounted to 322,629 f. from 2,064 de-
positors ; and the sums drawn out to 474,279 f.
Colonel CousToN, who was President of the court-
martial which tried GENT and the other conspirators
at Lyons, has been promoted to the rank of Comman-
der in the,Legion of honour.
The I3ourse was more firm than for some days past.
The Five per Cents, opened at 921., and closed at 921.
203.; the Three per Cents. closed at 56f. 40c.; Orleans
Railroad Shares, 860 f.; Rouen, 570 f.; Havre, 231 f.
25c.; Great Northern, 458 f. 75c.; Avignon, 208 f. 75c.;
Vierzon, 4261. 250.; Basle, 1501.; Bordeaux, 3851.; Paris
and Strasburg, 3551, ; Tours and Nantes, 2631. 75c.;
Amiens to Boulogne, 2581. 75c.
BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, SEPT. 24.
Dutch Rhenish, 3—Luxembourg, %s—Ditto, 174—North-
ern of France, 141—Orleans and Bordeaux, 44 ex d.—
Rouen and Havre, 9—Sambre and Meuse, 3.