The Sun.
London, England, 1851-08-06 00:00:00

KING CHARMING

ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE.
Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Farren.
Miss Helen Faucit and Mr. J. W. Wallack.
THIS EVENING,
Will be performed ROMEO AND JULIET. Romeo, Mr. J. W,
Wallack ; Juliet, Miss Helen Faucit.
To conclude with the FAST COACH.

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPIIITEEATRE.
trader the eatronage of her Majesty and his Royal Highneu
Prince Albert.
Pro,rletor and Manager, Mr. W. Batty.
The only star at the present day in the theatrical hemisphere is
Mazeppa, which shines with undiminished lustre after upWards of
I,OOU representations.

THIS EVENDTG,
Will he performed the grand Spectacle, entitled MAZEPPA ;
or the Wild llorse of Tartary, which has been revived, In conse-
quence of numerous applications from Persons of all Nations to wit-
ness the magnificent Spectacle.
To be iollowed by new Scenes of the Circle, introducing an en-
tirely new Company of English, French, Italian, and American
Artisteq.
To conclude with the laughable Afterpiece of THE CONSCRIPT
OF LYONS.

Box-office open from Eleven till Four.
Stage Manaer, Mr. T. Thompson.

PUNCIT's PLAYHOUSE
Mr. W. R. COPAND STRAND THEATRE.
Lessee, ELAND, Liverpool.
THIS EV ENIT.siG,
Will he perform:d a new Farce, with a Prologue, entitled MY
WIFE'S FUTURE HUSBAND.
With a Dramatic Bubble entitled THE SHOT TOWER. Princi-
pal characters by _Messrs. J. Reeve, Rogers, and Miss Marshall.
After which a new Burlesque, e -aided GODIVA, THE LADY OF
COVENTRY. Characters by Messrs. J. Reeve, J. Rogers, Norton,
Romer, Maskell, Attwood; Mesdames Marshall, C. Horsman, E.
Bonier, Morcelli, and 3latkell.
To conclude with a new Comedy, called CAPTAIN CHARLOTTE.
Principal characters by Mr. Tilbury, Mr. Davis, Mr.. J. Rogers,
Miss Romer, Miss 31askell, and Miss Marshall.
The prices of admission are arranged as follow :—Orchestra stalls,
4s; hoses (first circle), 35.; (second circle), 2s. ; Pit, Is.
13:airs to be opened at Hall-past Six, and the performances to
commence at Seven precisely.
A second price will be taken to the Boxes only at Half-paat Nina
—that circle, 25.; second circle, Is.
Private boxes One Guinea and a Half each.

BOYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.
The Proprietor, determined that the unexampled patronage be-
stowed on these Gardens shall meet with corresponding efforts on
his part, has entered into an engagement for Six Nights more with
those eminent Vocalists, Miss Messent, Mr. Manvers, Mr. Young,
and Mr. Leffler (piano-forte, Mr. Jolley), for the performance of
English Glees, Madrigals, and popular Ballads, in addition to Mons.
Jullien and the elite of his unrivalled Band.
Promenade Concert d'Ete includes Mons. Jullien's latest and most
favourite compositions, and a choice selection from the works of the
great masters. Songs, Glees, and Madrigals, by Miss Messmt, Mr.
Manyers, Mr. Young, and Mr. Leffler; concluding with a grand
Firework Pageant, by Southby, which for colour, design,
and bril-
liancy, admits of no competition. The Zoological Collection is
greatly increased, with various other scientific and unique at-
tractions.
Doors op en from Nine in the Morning. Feeding the Animals,
Half-past ?ice. Concert, Half•past Six. Old English. Sports at
Half-past Four. Fireworks, Dusk. Admission One Shilling.

HIGH WATER Al LONDON BRIDGE
THIS DAT —)fernir4 4S min. after 8 I Evening 25 min after 9
To-Moaaow—Morning 2 rain. after 10 !Evening 39 min after 10

DAILY WEATHER TABLE.
State of the Wind and Weather at each of the following
places at Nine o'clock yesterday morning.—The stations
are arranged in order of latitude.
Plormours—Wind S. E , hard wind—partially cloudy.
CHELTENHAM —Wind N.—very fine.
SP ETC HLEY—W ind W.—cloudy.
WoacEsTzn—Wind N.— very tine.
PORTSMOUTH—Wind S W.—very fine.
GOSPORT—Wind S.W.—very fine.
BRIGHTON—Wind N.E., strong breeze—partially cloudy.
HASTINGs—Wind E., gentle breeze—overcast.
SourhAmmoN—Wind S.E., strong breeze—partially cloudy.
FOLKICSTONE —Wind N.E., gentle breeze—overcast.
TummunGF,--Wind E., gentle breeze—partially cloudy.
BAsiNaSTOR.H—Wind E„ gentle breeze—partially cloudy.
DORCH ESTER —W ind N. W.—fine.
WtwcuFsrEn —Wind N.E.—very fine.
Box—Wind W.—fine.
BRISTOL—Wind S.E.—fine.
GREENWICH—Wind N.E., strong breeze—partially cloudy.
SwINDON—Wind E., gentle breeze—partially cloudy.
OXFORD—Wind S.E.—fine.
llsh-rFoaD—Wind N.E—cloudy.
BURTON—Wind N.E.—very fine.
GtoncEsTEn—Wind N.—very fine.
CHELMSFORD—Wind N.W.—fine.
COLCHESTER—Wind N.W.—fine.
CArvinmnou.—Wind N.E., strong breeze—partially cloudy.
Er,r—Wind N.E.—fine.
13nAynox— Wind S E.—fine.
NEWMARKET Wind N.E.—fine.
RUGBY —Wind S. E., strong breeze—cloudless.
BIRMI NG HAM—
tVind
STAFFORD —Wind cloudy.
STOKE—Wind E.N.E.—fine.
Frt./macaw:3w' Wind N.E., strong breeze partially
cloudy.
STAFFORD—Wind N.E. line.
Wo LVERTON—W ind S.E.
TAMWO RTII —Wind W.—fine.
TARMOUT H —Wind E., hard wind—cloudless.
LOWESTOFT—Wind N.E.—fine.
Nottwich—Wind N.E.—fine.
Ipswich—Wind N.E.—cloudy.
LESCRSTER—W ind N.—fine.
pattErtam —Wind N.W.—cloudy.
DlNT—Wind N E —very fine.
.VI orr I:Lanham—Wind E.—very fine.
CliurErtnELD—Wind NT nN. —fine.
—fine.
MAssite—Wind E ve'ry fine. •
CREWE--Wind E.
.94—gentle breeze—cloudless.
HOLYDRA
wCITEnTE ft Wind E.S.E.—cloudy.
BIRK ENHEAn--W nd
SHEFFIELD--Wind S.E.—very _le.
]MANCHESTER
—Wind
S.E.--very fine.
Huu—Wind E.—cloudy. —fine.
NORMAICToN—Wind
LlNDB—Wind N.E.—very fin,
roßK—Wind N.E.—fine.
SCA.RBORGITG —W ind
Wind E
DARLLNGToN--.—cloudy.
NEVICAsTLX—Wind N.N.E —fine.
BERwicK—Wind fine.
GLAsGow—Wind W.—very fine.
EDDTBURGII—Wind S.E.—fine.
The returns from the following places indicate
the
state
the wind and weather on Dion:lay morning at nine
of
o'clock n
Poots—Wind S. E.. calm—cloudless.
LmairroN—Wind N.E:, calm—partially cloudy.
PETZILBOROUGH--Wind S. W., gentle breeze—partially
cloudy.
gentle breeze—overcast.
DARLINGTON—Wind N., g
WHITBY—Win,I N., gentle breeze—overcast.

At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height
je"-----... < `of the barometer in the week was 29'765 in. The mean
Z ,;;,.:,,;‘,-.:-itempecatnre was 63.4°, which is 2° above the average of
(~,,s,, Ak the same week in ten rears The highest temperature °c-
f.', 7n..Actl'auletoe,Friday acid .aturtlar, when the means were 68.3°
7: 1,,
.I'' is-19 respectively, being from sto 7° above the averages
r.... :._ :4-
....-,Tm, e days. The wind blew for tho Most part (Ns
415
Lt, . 1 ~.-, o'34) but was genarally calm.
S;t i1,....r.,
...
• ' -1:41":41_ r,
v.t.4.,soivp'iti

Oltruin gint
LONDON, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1651.

In the House of Lords last night,

Lord MONTEAGLE moved the second reading of a Bill
which he had introduced, and which embodied the
clauses which he had proposed in the Ecclesiastical
Titles Assumption Bill at the time that measure was
under discussion.
The Bill, which was opposed by the Marquis of
LANSDOWNE and by the LORD CHANCELLOR as totally
unnecessary, was rejected without a division.
Several Bills were forwarded a stage, and their Lord-
ships adjourned.
The morning sitting of the Commons was almost
wholly devoted to the Committee on the Patent-law
Amendment Bill.
In the evening sitting Colonel SALwET moved for a
Select Committee to c3nsider the case of the Milittry
Knights of Windsor, but the House was counted out
before he had concluded his speech.

Many attempts have from time to time been made
to check the practice of bribery and corruption at the
election of Members for the Commons House of
Parliament, but in vain : it is an ancient custom—
albeit " more honoured in the breach than in the ob-
servance"—which many constituencies stick to with
the most resolute pertinacity. It is vain to seek "the
most sweet voices" of the electors of certain boroughs,
unless the candidate be prepared to render an equiva •
lent in the shape of hard cash. The minimum rate is
generally fixed according to the recognised local
usages, but the actual price varies according to
the emergency. A fierce contest will increase
the demand to such an extent that the ordinary
honorarium must be at least quadrupled. There will
be a rising market, while the numbers continue
pretty equally balanced, until, as the hour approaches
for closing the poll and declaring the successful can-
didate, the excitement approaches the utmost degree
of intensity, and fancy prices are offered and ac-
cepted that would startle the parties, if
-even contem-
plated in more sober moments.
It is true that the more respectable inhabitants--
those whose circumstances may enable them to resist
the attractions of a 51. or 101. note, and who will
not condescend to share in the guttling and guzzling
in which the less wealthy of the free and independent
electors are prone to indulge—keep aloof from these
horrors ; but by far:the greater number of these
belong to one or other of the local parties into which
the district is divided. They are blue or yellow, pink
or red, a 3 the case may be, and must give their votes
in accordance with others of their colour. Some,
however, who desire to turn everything to advantage,
although affecting the utmost purity, and virtuously
indignant at the conduct of those who eat
or drink at the expense of the candidate or defile
their hands with the touch of the " accursed
thing" in the shape of X. s. d., are quite willing to re-
ceive an equivalent in another shape. As, for in-
stance, a comfortable situation for some deserving
member of the family unhappily unprovided for. As
the bond
_fide parties are generally pretty equally ba-
lanced, the loose fish, whether waiters on Providence,
desirous of obtaining patronage, or the more vulgar
recipients of the current coin of the realm, are enabled
to turn the election and to bring in the " Liberal"
candidates, not in the " political," but ordinary
meaning of the phrase.
The heaviest purse, therefore, too;frequently gains
the victory, but there are means by which the con-
queror may be brought to account, which would be
exceedingly valuable, but that, unfortunately, the
innocent suffer as often as the guilty, and gentlemen
who would be utterly incapable of sanctioning im-
proper or corrupt proceedings are dragged through
the mire and made responsible for acts of which they
were utterly ignorant, and which occasionally, we
believe, were ascribable rather to malicious enemies
than to injudicious friends.
The " possibility" above alluded to has, however,
rendered great caution necessary in dealing with the
ticklish subject. " Bribery" must be conducted on
scientific principles. The old vulgar method has long
since been ignored among the more scientific practi-
tioners. Even the purchases of " sucking pigs, tables,
gaudy-coloured handkerchiefs, or rare plants, at ex-
orbitant prices," have become too common-place, and
are only resorted to by inferior minds. A new and
more powerful method has been recently adopted, which
has the double advantage of not only affecting the vote
for the time being, but of keeping " the screw" over
the elector on all future occasions, and enabling the
candidate to take summary vengeance for any act of
insubordination. The practice was first brought to
light, we believe, in an action in which Mr. JOHN
ATTWOOD was concerned ; and we have had an addi-
tional illustration in a case just tried on the Western
Circuit, in which Sir SAMUEL SPRY, the defeated
candidate for Bodmin at the last general election,
was plaintiff, and a person of the name of IL:IC[IM, a
grocer, resident in the town of Bodmin, and a regis-
tered elector of the borough, was defendant.
From the evidence it appeared that the plaintiff had
been a candidate for the representation of Bodmin at
the elections that occurred between 1832 and 1847 ;
that in 1841 defendant had voted for his two oppo-
nents, but in 1843 he had changed his views and
exercised his suffrage in favour of the worthy
Knight. Shortly afterwards he applied to the agent

for Sir SAMUEL in order to obtain a loan ( ! ! !), and
mentioned the name of the principal for whom he had
just recorded his vote. Such a claim could not be
rejected. The money, 201., was advanced in June,
1843 and a promissory note for the amount granted
by the defendant. It also appeared in evidence that
five other voters—all honourable men—were accom-
modated about the same time, in a similar manner,
for sums varying from 201. to 251. These various notes
remained locked up in the strong box of the agent,
from 1843 until after the next election of 1847. It
does not appear that they were ever presented for
payment, that interest was demanded, or any appli-
cation made in reference thereto, during the interval.
In fact, it seemed as if they had been alike
forgotten by creditor and debtors. In 1847,
however, a new contest took place, in which the
plaintiff was defeated. We know not whether the
other five, or any and which of them, " plumped"

for their liberal and indulgent creditor. The de-
fendant, however, gave a split vote, between the
plaintiff and the party with whom the pressure of the
conflict lay, the remaining candidate being facile
princeps, and his success placed beyond the possibility
of doubt. The plaintiff, once a Radical, but subse-
quently a Conservative ani Protectionist, was de-
feated ; and, much annoyed at his discomfiture ; he did
not, however, at once shake the Bodmin dust from
his feet. The chances of a petition were still to be
tried; but even that was a failure, and the election
was confirmed by the Parliamentary Committee.
Then it was that the plaintiff saw the necessity for
calling in his debts. The notes of the various bor-
rowers of 1843 were accordingly transferred from
the custody of the Parliamentary agent to that of his
private solicitors, and the action now under notice
followed.

It did not appear that the plaintiff was
a bill-broker or dealer in money, or that
his object was obtaining heavy interest on
the amount of his advances. None of the honour-
able fraternity would have let their securities slum-
ber for more than four years, without any allusion
being made thereto, or any application even for in-
terest. What then was the motive that induced the
plaintiff to render the accommodation ? Would he

have given it to any but voters ? and h it not palpa-
ble that it was granted for electioneering purposes,
and that even if legal (which we doubt) was of an
exceedingly objectionable character, calculated to
produce undue influence at the hustings. We may
be certain that these various ramifications
of the system must prevail, in a greater or less
degree, until the only ta2IIIIIVJ rvoledy-wthe vote by

ballot—be provided, which will at the same time
afford protection to the voter, and remove the induce-
ment from the candidate of attempting to gain his
suffrage by any improper means.

Contrary to all rational expectation, there seems to
be now every likelihood that the Patent Law Amend-
ment Bill cannot be passed during the present session
of Parliament. After the energetic efforts made to
forward this measure through the remaining stages,
the sudden obstruction encountered by its supporters
is, in sober earnest, a very grievous disappointment.
On glancing over the report of yesterday's proceed-
ings in the House of Commons it will be perceived
that for this most encouraging circumstance the
country is indebted to the Thersites of the Legisla-
ture. Nothing could possibly be more irritating than
this, the inventors of the United Kingdom having
looked forward with the utmost confidence to the re-
cognition of their rights by the Lords and Commons,
as well as by the members of her MAJESTY'S Govern-
ment. Immediately prior, however, to the realization
of all their hopes they have been abruptly thrown back
into the " slough of despond" by the petulance with
which the Hon. and Gallant Gentleman the Member
for Lincoln refused to postpone a ridiculous little
motion of his own, even in compliance with the
wishes of the entire House, and in obedience to the
remonstrances of the Prime Minister of England.
Very different was the conduct pursued last evening
by another Hon. and Gallant Member, the represen-
tative of Ludlow. Seeing that without some conces-
sion on his part and on that of his brother senators
there would be no chance whatever of the Bill pass-
ing into law this session, Colonel SALWEY, though re-
luctantly, still consented to waive his right of priority
so as to afford some opportunity for the carrying out
of the views of the Administration. Notwithstand-
ing this admirable example, Colonel SIBTHORP reso-
lutely and sturdily refused to budge one inch in accord-
ance with the demands of the occasion. To the request
addressed to himself from the Ministerial benches he
bluntly responded with a negative. When Lord
JOHN RUSSELL himself hinted that it was usual on
the Member who had the first motion on the paper
giving way for those who followed him to give way
also, Colonel SIBTHORP retorted, with a plain, bare-
faced, blundering, uncivil, inelegant—" I won't."
After this specimen of courtesy there was, of course, no
alternative whatever. Needs must when a certain indi-
vidual drives, saith the proverb, and hence the Patent
Law Amendment Bill was bucked most ruthlessly•
Colonel SALWEY in due course brought forward his
motion referring to the Military Knights of Windsor,
and in the middle of his statements at precisely
half-past six, the House was counted, and thirty-
eight Members only being present, it was adjourned
accordingly. All this, we need scarcely remark, was
in the highest degree vexatious. The boon was just
upon the eve of being obtained, the pear was so ripe
that it was all but dropping into the mouths that had
been long watering for a taste of it—and exactly at this
crisis, when " all went merry as a marriage bell," Colo-
nel SIBTHOEP must needs wedge in his petulant " I
won't," and doom the unfortunate inventors of the
United Kingdom to another lamentable disappointment.
Under the peculiar circumstances of the case, we
have maintained all along that any change whatever in
the laws relating to patents would be preferable to no
alteration whatever. Hence we have watched the pro-
gress of the Amendment Bill with such singular soli-
citude, exulting in behalf of inventors, in behalf of
science, and in behalf, moreover, of the public at
large, at every on ward movement in the way
of the desired innovation. Yet, exactly
at the moment when we were about to congratulate
the country on the passage of the measure through
the House of Commons, the whole of these arduous
exertions of the Government are set at nought, and
the Bill, like many a promising horse at the Derby,
proves in the end to be nowhere. We must now,
therefore, make up eur minds with the best grace
possible to the necessity of delaying our hopes in the
matter until next session, when, in an improved and
more carefully deliberated manner, the measure may
again be brought under the consideration of the
Imperial Legislature. During the Parliamentary
recess which is just now on the eve of
its commencement, it behoves all advocates of
reform in the Patent Laws of the United Kingdom

to prepare for the motion which will have to be made
next year with a view to the more effectual removal
of existing abuses. Powerful as the evidence has
already been of the injuries inflicted upon public and
private interests by the Patent Laws as they are at
the present moment enforced, it will, of course, be
peculiarly advantageous to accumulate yet more nu-
merous and persuasive testimony of the fully
of further procrastination. For, unfortunately,
some few determined minds yet remain to
be convinced not of the fact of the
evils complained of, but of their repeated magnitude.
Deputy chaff-waxes may be abolished, seven or eight

different stages may be rendered unnecessary in the
procuring of letters patent, fees may be dispensed
with in an extraordinary variety of quarters, the

time required in the process may be very materially
diminished, and yet, after all this, much would still
remain to be accomplished, so as to place in-
ventors upon a proper footing. It should be
remembered, for instance, that together with these
improvements others should be secured, whereby
the community would be enabled in the
best manner to examine into the value of cera
tain projects, and to discover the precise amount of
their originality. By organizing a system of public
registration, by opening this to the view of the masses
at a comparatively trifling cost, as in the instance of
the wills preserved in the offices at Doctors' Commons,
by establishing, moreover, an institution in which
the models of different contrivances might
be seen on application, the Legislature would
signally advance the cause of science in the
United Kingdom, and by this means forward the
general prosperity of the population. Let these con-
siderations be borne in mind, and it may ultimately
come to pass that we may be compensated for our pre-
sent disappointment, larger reforms being secured by a
little additional procrastination. No thanks to Colonel
SIBTHORP ; for the benefits here hinted at would be
obtained in spite of him and his very courteous self-
sufficiency.

THE LATE Ecursa.—At Konigsburgh, Dantzic,
and Derehan, where the eclipse of the sun was total, dark-
ness like that of night prevailed for some minutes. During
this time a great number of stars was visible, among them
Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury were perfectly visible. The
natural phenomena produced on the animal and vegetable
world were highly interesting. Several flowers closed, the
birds which had been before flying about suddenly disap-
peared, the cocks crowed and the birds went to roost. In
some villages great consternation prevailed among the in-
habitants, and many families shut themselves up in their
rooms till the eclipse was over, so great was their superstition.
This, however, was by no means general, for dense crowds
with magnifying glasses, telescopes, and burnt glass, were
assembled on the heights to witness this interesting scene.

CtiARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER AT SUNDERLAND.—
On Monday morning last there was considerable excitement
among the commercial classes of Sunderland, owing to the
sudden death of Mr. Christopher John Spence, ship-broker,
who was reported to have died from the effects of a blow re-
ceived during an altercation with Mr. Joseph Buchanan, ship-
builder of Sunderland. It appears that both the gentlemen
were on the best terms, and on Friday week they both went
into the bar of the Bridge-hotel, where, while drinking toge-
ther, an altercation ensued, and Mr. Buchanan seized
a large drinking glass and threw it at Mr. Spence's
head, it hit him on the right temple, and the wound
bled freely. They separated, and Mr. Spence went home
and had his wound dressed, and felt himself better, and
walked out next morning, and again met with Mr.
Buchanan, and they walked together on terms of friend-
ship. The next day Mr. Spence grew worse and took to his
bed, and, mortification having taken place, he expired on
Monday morning last. On the afternoon of that day a war-
rant was issued for the apprehension of Mr. Buchanan, and
the same day he was taken into custody and brought before
the Mayor of Sunderland, charged by Mr. W. Brown,
superintendent of police, with killing and slaying Mr. Chris-
topher John Spence, broker. Mr. Cooper, solicitor, appeared
on behalf of the prisoner, and said that his client felt the
deepest sorrow for the unfortunate circumstance, and that
he had walked with the deceased the day after the quarrel,
and he had also visited him the day before his death ; and,
under all the circumstances, he hoped that the Mayor and
magistrates would allow his client to find bail; but the ma-
gistrates declined to accept bail, and the prisoner was re-
manded until a coroner's inquest be held on the body of the
deceased.

THE MONEY ORDER DEPARTMENT OP THE POST-
OFFICE.— On Monday was printed a return to the House of
Commons, from which it appears that in the year ended the
31st of December last there were 4,439,713 money orders is-
sued in the United Kingdom, and the amount was 8,494,4981.
10s. 7d. The number paid was 4,431,235, and the amount
paid was 8,483,0551. is. 10d., leaving a large sum unpaid of
the number issued. The expenses of the department were
last year 70,577/., and the commission was 73,813/. on the
orders.

FATAL ACCIDENT AT HUNGERFORD PIEE. On
Monday evening a young man named John Brown. a resi-
dent at Woolwich, fell from off the Greenwich and Woolwich
Company's packet Dryad, at Hungerford Steam-boat Pier.
Unfortunately it was dark, with a atrong ebb-tide running,
and notwithstanding every exertion was used to save him;
he yaw drinnaed) eil4 the WY Vral ugt amend.

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