The Sun.
London, England, 1833-05-10 00:00:00

JERSEY PARLIAMENT.

We have seen with no little surprise in a Jersey paper,
called the British Press, an account of what we cannot
help thinking an unwise and uncalled-for interference on
the part of the Lieutenant-Governor of that island with
the rights and privileges of the people, at the head of
whose administration be is placed. This appendage of
the British crown has a small Parliament of its own—
which probably attracts little attention in Europe—called
its States. These States are convoked, like the British
Senate, to enact laws for the island.
Like the British Parliament, they were lately seized
with the spirit of reform, and though they did not alter
the composition of the legislative body, they were anxious,
by giving publicity to their proceedings, to invite the
vigilant control, and to enjoy the gratifying approbation,
of public opinion. They, therefore, declared their sit
tinge open, like other legislative assemblies, which mean
to be useful, and are not afraid to be watched. This
change was effected by a formal act, which abrogated a
law passed more than forty years ago, enjoining their de
liberations to he conducted with closed doors. It is neces-
s try for a Bill of this kind to be confirmed by the King
in Council, and the Lieutenant-Governor, in transmitting
it, had given such an idea of its inexpediency, that the
King has refused his sanction.
Such is the state of things now in the island of Jersey.
Kind William, by bis Lieutenant Governor, is to rule tha
island on the coast of France as he rules his German king-
dom of Hanover. These honest patriots, who are so zea-

lons in promoting the welfare and so desirous of sharing the
respect of their fellow-citizens, are to be debarred from
opening their sittings to the public, and are compelled t.
deliberate like a Turkish Divan or a Roman Conclave, with
closed doors, without reporters, without a gallery, and
without a tribune. How can real patriotism and elo
quence flourish in such an assembly ?
In consequence of this impolitic and despotic interfe-
rence, the Governor and the States are in a kind of ope.•
hostility to each other. We are totally at a loss to know
why the Jersey Parliament is to be thus resisted in its lau.
dable anxiety for the publicity of its discussions. Has it
any secrets which ought not to be divulged, or is bis Ex-
cellency afraid that, if it opened its doors, it may be over-
awed by the presence of strangers ? No good reason i-
assigned for this extraordinary prohibition of publicity, so
inconsistent with English practice, and so contrary to the
spirit of the age; and we hope that, the attention of Ministers
being called to the subject, the veto will be recalled, and
the patriotic orders of Jersey be allowed to have an audience.
If we mi_ ht judge from what took place on the an•
nouncement of the letter refusing the King's sanction to,
the act of the States, the Lieutenant-Governor would seen)
to have acted more from pique than from any ♦iews of
political expediency, as the following explanation will
show _ _ _

- -
" The Rector of Grouville felt anxious to learn who had been
the instigator in this affair. Was it the President ? was it the
Lieutenant-Governor who had prejudiced the minds of their
Lordships against the act of the States ?
" The Lieutenant Bailli said the President had in ne way
interfered.
" The Rector of Grouville resumed. If it was his Excel-
lency, he thought he owed the Assembly some explanation for
having secretly opposed a measure which had met the unani-
mous concurrence of the States. He should be glad to hear how
his Excellency would justify himself.

" The Lieutenant-Governor denied having done anything
clandestinely ; he had written two letters on the subject, which
had been seen by two or three members of the States. Far
from wishing to conceal those letters, he should not care to
see them publicly exposed against the walls of the town. As
to any explanation of his conduct, he certainly owed none to
the States, nor should he give any. He had not been treated
by them in a manner to entitle them to any indulgence on his
part. From the committee of harbours, he had met with any-
thing but the courtesy which was due to a person in the situa-
tion which he had the honour to hold. He had, during the
existence of the cholera, applied for returns of the vessels which

daily entered and sailed from the island. He had received a
few, but they had been suddenly discontinued. He would,
however, do the president of that committee the justice to say,
that he had borne no share in the slight put upon him. He
was a perfect gentleman, who fully understood the respect
which was due to him as Lieutenant-Governor ; lie was
evidently acquainted with the forms or biens6ances of polished
society."
The Jerseymen have substantial privileges 'o maintain,
which we hope they will never abandon. We observe,
that among that comparatively untaxed portion of our
fellow-subjects, a man may enjoy his newspaper for V.,
and drink his bottle of wine for is. The Legislative
States may well court publicity, and defy criticism, while
they continue so comfort,ible and easy a system of taxation.

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A very remarkable scene occurred last week
at Rouen, on the occasion of the funeral of Madame
DUVERSIN, an actress who had enjoyed great celebrity
who constituted the fun( ral
refusedtplorl eoorceelsnisirotn4o,omopparenPery•efeoryien; presented crsi:;tilheoe :Tivisesievrelevvrciec: themselves the church door, which
was found shut, though at an hour when it was usually
open, but on
.knocking they were admitted. The body
was then came,' into the sanctuary, and no priest present-
ing himself, the prayer for the dead was recited by one of
the persons who attetidc! the ceremony. This done, the
corpse was carried in procession to the spot fixed on for
its int,rtnent, and being deposited there, the crowd se-
parated without the slightest disturbance.