The Sun.
London, England, 1833-08-27 00:00:00

THE KING OF SPAIN AND THE BISHOPS

LETTER OF THE BISHOP OF LEON TO THE ICING OF SPAIN,

The Bishop of Leon has had a petition presented to
the King, in which he solicits his Majesty to dispense with
his taking the oath of allegiance to the Infanta. The
Prelate supports thelegitimacy of the rights of Don Carlos.
The Bishop's petition terminates as follows:
" He is sensibly affected by the union of all these prin-
ciples and of all these reflections, which presents itself to
him so forcibly as to deprive him of all means of resist-
ance. After having long remained at the feet of Jesus
Christ, he finds himself obliged to have recourse to his
pen, as councillor to your Majesty, and as Bishop, how-
ever unworthily, of the celebrated See of Leon, in order
to respectfully request your Majesty to grant permissio❑ to
beseech you to suspend the execution of the Royal decrees
of the 4th of April, and of all that is relative to the oath
of allegiance to her Royal Highness the Infanta. He con-
jures your Majesty to request Heaven to make known to
him some lawful means of favourably terminating this im•
portant and delicate affair—an affair which is of such ex-
treme magnitude for Spain, and of still greater perhaps
for Europe. This positive conviction affects him so
strongly that he cannot avoid soliciting your Majesty to
permit him, in his quality of Bishop of Leon, not to
take the oath of allegiance to her Royal Highness the In-
fanta Maria Isabella, because Heaven has not granted a
male child to your Majesty. The consequence of the re-
flections above-mentioned makes him recognise in the
Infant Don Carlos, and after him in all those mentioned
in the law of Philip V., a right superior to that of her
Royal Highness the Infanta. Should the rectitude of his
intention which he has thus frankly mentioned, according
to his usual habit and to his thoughts on a future life,
call down on him fresh persecutions from certain persons,
for the most part belonging to the usurper, the grace of
God will alleviate them, and he hopes with reason that
your Majesty will stretch out your hand to repress them ;
in political order he does not deserve any.
" Sire, may God grant you abundance of light, and
afterwards conduct to the heavenly abode ; this is his
constant prayer, for all that belongs to this life is exceed-
ingly perishable.
" Sire, the very humble and very obedient subject,
" JOACHIM.
From a solitary spot to which his jurisdiction
extends, June 1, 1833."

The Russian Consul-General, Mr. Banck-
hausen, left town on Saturday for St. Petersburgh. He
is said to have been the bearer of important dispatches for
the Russian Government.
A loan of 4,000,0001. sterling is understood
to have been lately negotiated for the Austrian Govern-
ment, by an eminent capitalist in the City. The terms
have not yet transpired, nor is it, we believe, intended to
bring it into the market at present.
The new lighthouse constructing at Gatteville
Point, near Barfieur, is nearly completed, as nothing is
now wanting but the lantern. The masonry-work, of
red granite, is carried to the height of 210 feet ; the total
is 250
fheeeitg.ht,Twheitbhatsheeislatngtuearn anre,adndlig2hstnfienegt-choingtilau.ctoFr,rom
this
rises a round shaft, 27 feet in diameter at its bottom, and
IS at the top. A winding staircase of 349 steps leads to
the top of the lighthouse. The stairs are well lighted,
as there are no fewer than 48 windows.
We are glad to hear it reported that Lord
HILL is likely to take some measures for ascertaining
the qualifications of candidates for military commissions.
The system of appointing young men to commissions,
without any sort of examination,, is an abominable abuse,
and we can see no possible reason why candidates for
the army should not be obliged to show themselves at the
Horse Guards. The public have at least a right to some
precaution against the admission of dwarfish and unhealthy
youths into the military force. Every young man who is
recommended for a commission in the Royal Marines is
obliged to appear before the Board of Admiralty ; and why
similar practice should not exist in the Commander-
in-Chief's Office we should be very glad to learn.... United
Service Gazette,