The Sun.
London, England, 1833-12-27 00:00:00

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE-(THIS DAY)

FROM LLOYD'S.
DEAL, DEC. 26.—Wind N.W. to S.S.W., moderate.
--Arrived the Apollo, from Berbice.
PORTSMOUTH, DEC. 26.—Wind E.N.E. to S.W.—
Arrived the Prince George, Shatv, from Bombay.
PLYMOUTH, DEC. 25.—Wind N., moderate.—Arrived
the Fly, Soper, from Newfoundland.
FAI.MOUTII, DEC. 25.—Wind N.W. to N., fresh
breeze•.—Arrived the Jean, M‘Millan, from Galipoli.
POOLE, DEC. 26.—Arrived the William Kilson, Robbins,
from Newfoundland.
LIVERPOOL, DEC. 25.—Arrived the Gratitude, Hawk-
ins, from Demerara ; St. Louis, Storey, and Florence,
Smith, from New Orleans ; Matakuset, —, from Sa.
vannah ; John, Balantide, from St. Michael's; Euphemia,
Nicholson, from Wtrsaw ; Antelope, Hawkins, from
Seville ; Paul Pry, Skittle, from St. Übes ; John, Leisk,
from Oporto ; Amelia, Bowman, and Patriot, gurney,
from St. Fetersburgb ; Sisters, Todd, from Riga. Off
port, the Walter Scott, —, from Charleston ; and the
Venus, Butler, from St. Petersburgh. Sailed the Diana,
Hawkins, for Bombay.
YARMOUTH ROADS, DEC. 26.—Arrived the Venue,
Simmons, from Wyburg.
HARWICH, DEC. 26.—Arrived the Ellen, Us her, from
Copenhagen.
Coax, DEC. 24.—Arrived the Terry, White, from
Richebucto ; and the Minerva, Manger, from Cadiz.
VA LEN'TIA (IRELAND).—Arrived the Mary, Mateface,
from Newfoundland.

The Topaz, Cross, from Demerara, was on Margate
Sands yesterday, but expected to be got off.
The Mary Ann, Adams, from Sr. Petersburg]) and
Dantzic, have been on shore, and must discharge, bound
to London.
The Jamaica, from Liverpool to Jamaica, is on shore in
the Mersey.

India, the ]and of enchantment, the treasure-
house from which imagination culls its brightest images
of splendour, the " golden orient," peopled by the crea-
tions of " The Arabian Nights," has often furnished a
theme for the pen of the traveller or noveli-t, but nowhere
are we presented with bueb vivid de,criptioas of Anglo-
Indian life as are to be met with in " The East India
Sketch Book." The author is known to be a distinguished
officer, who has seen much service. Hence the very
spirited details of military life and wild adventure with
which the volumes abound.
A correspondent informs us that Mr. Alder-
man Thompson yesterday sent in his resignatio❑ as
Chairman of Lloyd's, and that an active canvass was
immediately commenced far Mr. P. M. Stewart, M.P.,
to fill the vacancy.
Another prebendal stall in Canterbury Ca-
thedral, in the gift of the Crown, is vacant by the death
of the Venerable Dr. Norris, who was installed in 1799.
—.Kentish Gazette.
THE LATE JAMES BROUGHAM, ESQ.,
M.P.—This gentleman was highly respected for his
good sense and amiable manners, by those who had the
pleasure of his acquaintance; and, although he seldom
spoke in Parliament, was far from being inactive as a
public man. In the various contests for the representation
of Westmoreland there was no man whose efforts to
establish the independence of the country were more
vigorous and effectual than Mr. James Brougham's, and
he was naturally and deservedly popular with the high
spirited yeomanry of that county. It was quite as much,
we believe, on account of his own public services as of
the merits of his brother, that he was chosen as the first
representative of Kendal in a Reformed Parliament.
The Italian Opera is to open on the Ist of
February.
- -

TALES OF CLASSIC LORE.—It deserves to
be generally known at the present period, that this work
furnishes, on a new and improved plan, a delineation of
the most popular fables, legends, and allegories, commemo.
rated in the works of poets, painters, and sculptors. The
authoress originally composed it for the amusement and
instruction of her own daughters, and has very appropri-
ately dedicated it to the Princess Victoria. She expre-ses
a hope that it will be found to exhibit a useful manual for
schools and private families, as the only book of the kind
calculated to be read aloud by young persons of both sexes,
from its being divested of every thing obnoxious to pure
feeling ; and the notes and observations annexed to each
tale, will be found to afford a fund of mythological infor-
mation not to be derived from any other work.
The Earl of Errol and the Earl of Ux-
bridge, and one or two other gentlemen, met at the Albion
Hotel on Tuesday respecting the Hurdle Race. The race
was decided in favour of Cheltenham, and the stakes
were immediately given up to the winner. A Steeple
Chase will take place in the vicinity of this town on the
Ist of February. There are already several subscribers.
Another Hurdle race, cf a novel kind, will shortly take
place. Six military officers are to ride witk six naval, to
run a mile and a half, and leap six hurdles. They are to
wear red and blue jackets respectively, with distinguishing
caps. The Earl of Errol and Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence
have consented to act as stewards, and the race will come
off very shortly, probably in about ten days, but the final
arrangements are not yet made. It is i❑ contemplation to
bring the King's stag hounds here next season.—Brighton
Paper.
THE IRISII NATIONAL TALES, 19 VoLS.;
AND THE NAVAL AND MILITARY LIBRARY OF ENTER-
TAINMENT, IN 20 VoLs.—We are requested to state that
complete sets may be bad of these two interesting
works, which are now in course of monthly publication,
on the plan of " Colburn's Modern Novelists." These
works are the only ones among all the cheap Monthly
Libraries that are handsomely printed in post Bvo., ae
library hocks, and the price is only 4s. per vol., bound.
The object of the first work is to accomplish, as far as
possible, for Irish story, by collecting together all the
modern celebrated works illustrative of the manners and
peculiarities of the sister kingdom. The object of the
second collection is to furnish a series of the choicest
modern works from the pens of distinguished officers,
adapted to the tastes of the members of the two services,
and forming a desirable acquisition to every mess and gun-
room at home and abroad. Each of these publications,
from its cheapness and excellence, is certainly deserving of
the best support, and we have no doubt will meet with it.
The Ist Set of the Irish National Tales consisted of "The
Nowlans," by J. Banim, in 3 vols., and the let Set of the
Naval and Military Library contained Ciptain Marryat's
celebrated story of " The Naval Officer," in 3 vols. The
January Set of the Irish Tales will consist of " Yesterday
in Ireland," by E. E. Crowe, Esq., in 3 vole. ; and that
of the Naval and Military Library will contain the hu-
inoutous novel of "Sailors and Saints," by the author of
" The Naval Sketch Book," in 3 vole.

SEA-BURKING ; OR, THE MYSTERIES
OF LLOYD'S.

(From Tait's Magazine.)
EVERY DAY A SHIP Is LOST.—From an examination of
Lloyd's Lists, from the year 1793 to the commence_
ment of 1829, it has appeared that the number of Bri-
tish vessels alone, lost during that period, amounted,
on an average, to no less than one and a half daily.
We learn, from Moreau's tables, that the number of
merchant vessels employed at one time in the navigation
of England and Scotland, amounts to about 20,008,
having, one with another, a burden of 120 tons. Out
of 551 ships of the Royal Navy of England, lost to the
country during the period above mentioned, only 160
were taken or destroyed by the enemy ; the rest hav-
ing either stranded or foundered, or having been burnt
by accident—a striking proof that the dangers of naval
warfare, however great, may be far exceeded by the
storm, the hurricane, the shoal, and all the other perils
of the deep. During the last great war in Europe,
32 British ships of the line went down to the bottom
in the space of twenty-two ye Ire, besides seven 50-gun
ships, 86 frigates, and a multitude of smaller vessels.
The navies of the other European Powers, France,
Holland, Spain, and Denmark, were almost annihilated
during the same period, so that the aggregate of their
losses must have many times exceeded that of the king-
dom of Great Britain. These numbers, we believe,
very far exceeded what most people would have sup-
posed. To this immense loss of ships of war and of
commerce, the imagination must he left to supply the
incalculable amount of wealth swallowed up with them,
and the thousands of human beings who thus found a
watery grave. More strength in the building might
save half of this suffering.
The following account of loss and accidents of British
vessels is extracted from Lloyds List of 1829 :—On
foreign voyages, 157 wrecked ; 284 driven on shore,
of which 221 are known to have been got off, and
probably more ; 21 foundered or sunk ; 1 run down ;
35 abandoned at sea, 8 of them afterwards carried into
port ; 12 condemned as unseaworthy ; 6 upset, 1 of
them righted ; 27 missing, 1 of them a packet, no
doubt foundered. Coasters and colliers :-109 wrecked;
297 driven on shore, of which 121 known to have
been got off, and probably many more; 67 foundered
or sunk, 4 of them raised, 6 run down ; 13 abandoned,
5 of them afterwards carried in ; 3 upset, 2 of them
righted ; 16 missing, no doubt foundered. During
the year 4 steam.vessels were wrecked ; 4 driven on
shore, but got off; and 2 sunk.

SEA-BURKING TO TILE ALARMING EXTENT OF TWO
THOUSAND LIVES AND UPWARDS A YEAR.
The following dialogue, between two clerks,
sitting on the benches of the Royal Exchange,
London, was lately overheard :
" Ist Clerk—What a melancholy loss that is o
the Shannon whaler, with most of the crew
" 2tl Clerk—Ay.
" What a dreadful state for the crew to be in,
for seven days and six nights, without shelter,
amongst wet, cold, frost, and snow, with nothing to
eat and drink but flour, raw salt beef, and salt water,
and obliged to drink their own blood for thirst, until
some died raving mad, and others had the very flesh
rotted off their bones!
" Yes.
" What a pity such disasters could not be pre-
vented in future
" It would be a pity for some, but not for all.
" Why not for all ?
" It would be no pity for ship-builders, ship-
wrights, and ship-tradesmen.
" Why not ?
46 Because another vessel will be required to sup.
ply the place of the Shannon, which gives employ-
ment to all these parties.
"6 Then, do you mean to say, that it is to the
profit of all these parties that vessels should be lost ?
" It is so clear, as not to admit of dispute.
" But surely it would have been to the advantage
of the owners that the vessel had been preserved ?
" I doubt that very much.
" Why so ?
" Because, probably, it was insured to, or even
above, its value.
" I do not understand you.
" Suppose, for instance, the ship to have cost,
when new, 6,0001., and suppose it, during the time
it lasted, to have made considerable profit, but to
have much decreased in value, no person would
probably have given above half value for it to pur-
chase; but the owner, without doing any thing dis-
honest, or which is not done every day, may keep it
insured to the full value it cost him when new;
and if it be totally lost, he gets 3,0001. more for it
than he could have got from a purchaser.
" Ay ; but you supposed it to have made a profit ;
suppose it had not made a profit ?
" Then he has the more need to get quit of it.
" Then, by that reasoning, a ship-owner may often
make a profit by his vessel being lost?
"It is done every day. It is as common a trade
as selling old clothes in Rag Fair.
" Then I am sure it would have been for the
advantage of the underwriters that the vessel had
been preserved ?
" That it most certainly would not.
" How so, when the property was sacrificed in
the sea ?
" It requires but little reflection to discover that,
if there were no losses at sea, there would be no
sea insurances; and it requires just as little to see
that the underwriters must get more money than they
pay away, otherwise they would become bankrupt.
" Please to explain yourself a little farther.
" If there be a million of money paid away in
Lloyd's every year, for losses at sea, there 'must
be above a million received ; for instance, say a
million and a half, and the half million, or surplus
above what is actually paid away for losses, just
goes into the pockets of the underwriters.
" Then, by whom is this million and a half paid ?
" By the public.
" But how is it paid ?
" By a tax on merchandize and all sea-borne
c)mmodities.
" I will again be obliged by your explaining your-
self.
" The Shannon whaler was going to the Davis'
Straits whale-fishery, and was lost on the passage
out ; this, of course, made one ship less at the
fishery ; and, of course, there will be one cargo
less at the market; and this increases the price of
whale oil and whalebone ; and if, instead of the
Shannon only being lost, there be t,:venty more ships
lost at the fishery, the prim of these articles will
just be increased by the amount or value of twenty-
one vessels less at market.
" I do not believe the public view the loss of
ships in this light.
" No. The great art is to keep them from know-
ing this ; otherwise Lloyd's would he deserted.
" How so ?
" I have already said, if there were no losses at
sea there would be no sea insurances.
" Had the whole crew of the Shannon been
drowned, and the vessel not heard tell of, what
would have been done ?
" The owner or his broker would probably have
gone into the roora up stairs, and offered perhaps
30, 40, 50, 60 per cent. or upwards of premium,
for any person to take risks upon it, and insure its
return.
" What is premium ?
" Money paid to induce parties to take risks.
" And what would be the consequence if the
vessel did not return ?
" The party just loses so much over and above
the premium he received, paid back for every 100/.
of risk he took upon it.
" And if it did return ?
" Fie just pockets so much of premium, as he
took of 1001. risks upon is.
" Does either party know where the vessel is all
this time ?
" No. If they do, it is fraud.
" Then, is this not a hazard upon an uncertain
event, of which neither party knows what will be
the issue ?
" It is precisely so.
" Could vessels be built stronger and safer, arid
such melancholy accidents as the loss of the Shan-
non prevented in future ?
" With the greatest ease.
" Then why is it riot done ?
" Because it would be against the interests of all

the parties I have already mentioned." "Is there
any proof that vessels might• be built stronger and
safer ?
" Yes.
" Where is it ?
" In men of war, or ships fitted by Government,
as was the case with the Isabella and Dorothea,
where (but we must keep this to ourselves) ships
are not insured.
" Then do you consider insurance to be the sole
cause of so many merchant vessels being built unsafe
and lost ?
" I consider insurance to be sole cause of ir.
" Would it not be to the advantage of the crews,
that vessels should be stronger and safer ?
Unquestionably. It would preserve them from
being drowned, or losing their property.
" And of passengers ?
" And of passengers the same as the crews.
" And of the public, where merchandize is
concerned ?
" Undoubtedly.
" And is this known to all these parties, ship-
builders, ship-owners, and underwriters ?
" To many of them, it is as well known as it

is to me.
" Why this is very like a combination by all of
these parties against the interests of the public?
" And so it is.
" Is this the practice of trade ?
" The whole principle of trade, is buying cheap
and selling dear ; and of the carrying trade, in keep-
ing up the value of the stock, and making a profit
above the expenses.
This, then, does not seem to conform to those
principles?
" P has no more similarity to them, than throw-
ing the dice at Crockford's has with fair dealing.
They are both speculations on a hazard, and the
only earthly difference between them is, that insur-
ance is carried on, wick, the sanction of law, and is
considered.a legal risk for the benefit of trade; the
other is unprotected by law, and is considered
illegal, but in principle they are both hazards of
precisely the same kind.
" Are there any other instances than men-of-war
of vessels being strongly built ?
" Yes.
" What are they ?
" Merchant vessels which are not insured.
" How does the East India Company with their
ships 1;'

• • • • ♦
" To what extent do you suppose that lives are
sacrificed every year, 'which might, if vessels were
made stronger and safer, be preserved ?
" To at least two thousand lives every year.

" Why, this is little better than Burking by
wholesale ?

" It is precisely so, and the only difference be-
tween them is, that in the one case, Burking was
detected, and in the other case, it is not known to
the public.
" And to what extent is property sacrificed every
year, which might be preserved ?
" To at least a million sterling a year.
" Do you mean British subjects and British pro-
perty only. If we include all nations, the amounts
will at least require to be doubled.
" Upon what grounds do you make the calcu-
lation ? _ . .

" Upon statements and calculations which have
lately appeared in the newspapers.
"-Then why do not the public insist on vessels
being made stronger and safer, and this suffering and
loss prevented ?
" The public are always slow to move, even
where their own safety and interests are concerned,
and to the vast majority of them, these things are
not known ; and when a vessel is lost, they attri•
bute it to a dispensation of Divine Providence,
shrug up their shoulders, bless God it was not
themselves, consider it was fair sea risk, and that

it could not have been prevented.
" Have no attempts been made to inform the
public, that vessels might be built stronger and safer?
" Yes. Many.
" And what has been the result ?

and

" The public would not look at any publication,
or receive any information ou the subject. In fact,
the public would as soon think of looking at a book
in Hebrew or Chaldee, as they would at a book on
strengthening ships.
" But will ship-builders, ship-owners, under-
writers, and surveyors of shipping, not look at them ?
" No. They all know well that it would be
against their interests if ships were made stronger
and safer, and therefore they are to a man interest-
edly prejudiced against them.
" On what pretence do they object to vessels
being made stronger and safer ?
"On the pretence of the additional expense of
building; but which is just a pretence to gull the
public, and to make it pay for all vessels that are
wrecked and damaged, and to fill their own pockets.
" Then, if the public were made aware that their
lives and property were sacrificed in the sea to fill
the pockets of ship-builders, ship-owners, under-
writers, and surveyors of shipping, would they not
take steps for their own safety ?
" I doubt it very much. There is such an
apathy amongst the public, and such a general
feeling, that what is everybody's business is no-
body's business ; that, unless the whole nation
could be aroused, it is most probable that nothing
would be done, although the public were mr.de
fully aware of these facts.
" Have not many passengers been drowned in
steamers since the introduction of steam navigation ?
" Yes. Many.
" And could similar drowrings be prevented in
future ? _ _

" Yes. With ease.
" Then, why does not the Legislature take up
the subject ?
" The Legislature is tender of interfering with
the property of private parties; and it considers
that if one half of the public are fleeced of their
property and drowned, to fill the pockets of the
other half, that is all for the benefit of trade (like
the glazier's boy brreaking the windows, and the
doctor breaking the glazier's boy's head, both for
the benefit of trade), and that it is not their pro-
vince to interfere between the parties. Besides,
these drownings keep down the population, which
Malthus says, should be kept down to the sub-
sistence fund ; and they are attended with this pecu-
liar good consequence, that the parties never make
any complaints to disturb the repose of the Legis-
lature afterwards, as clamorous and dissatisfied
emigrants sometimes do. For all these good rea-
sons the Legislature declines to interfere.
" But suppose a transport vessel, full of troops,
to be lost, and all the troops drowned.
" Then Government just sends another, to run
the same risk.

" But is the loss of the troops not a great loss to
Government ?
" No. What is the cost of a few hundreds or a
few thousands of troops, drowned (the lives are
considered of no value whatever), to the revenue
which Government derives from the loss of vessels ?
" How does Government derive a revenue from
the loss of vessels ?
" It increases the sale of timber, hemp, flax,
iron, copper, pitch,
tar, and all materials of which
vessels and their equipments are composed, and
on which there are duties. It also increases the
sale of all documents connected with shipping, on
which there are stamp duties, such as charters of
affreightment, bills of lading, policies of insurance,
arbitration bonds, protests, seamen's articles of
agreement, apprentices' indentures, &c., and even
A charge was here made by the clerk against a party
in the India Hou,e, of so strong a nature that we cannot
allow it to be reported to the public without proof of its
truth. Our clerk's facts and inferences well deserve
attention; but we think him rather severe in his
imputation of motives. Yet men, noways remarkable for
inhumanity as individuals, often do strange things collec-
tively. We have little faith in the justice or humanity of
Trustees, Directors, Commissioners, Justices of Peace,
or the members of close corporations, when several act

together.

increases the consumpt of paper, on which there
are heavy duties, and materially increases the reve-
venue of the post-office.
" Anything else ?
" Yes. The duty on exp)rts arid imports.
" How does it increase the duties on exports ?
" If a vessel be lost with an export cargo, ano-
ther cargo will be required to supply the country
or place it ,vas going to.
" But then, does not Government lose the duty
on imports? Suppose, for instance, an East In
diaman coming home from China with a cargo a
teas and silks, to be lost on the passage home,
does not Government lose the duties on these

articles ?
" No. The sovereigns of Leadenhall.street, who
supply the public with these articles, exactly as
the Dutch supplied spices from Amboyann, order
home another vessel, belongini, to their High
Nrghtinesses, with a cargo, which pays the duty in
lieu of the one which was lost, and they charge the

whole expense to the public.
" But suppose a West Indiaman, laden with sugar,
rum, and coffee, to be lost, and which was not un-
der the control of sovereign purveyors and sovereign
carriers ?
" In that case, the supply of these articles is
regulated by the demand for them ; and if one
vessel and cargo be lost, another gill be sent to
supply the demand, and Government does not lose

he duties.
" But suppose a Portuguese vessel, laden with
wine, or an American vessel laden with tobacco, to
be lost, does not Government lose the duties ?
" No.

" How is that ?
" Another vessel is just sent in the place of the
one which was lost; and the only effect is,
heighten the prime cost of the article to the pub-
lic, to pay the expense of the vessel and cargo
which were lost, before the duties are laid on by
Government.
" Does this hold throughout all commerce ?
Throughout the whole property in shipping,
exports and imports of the kingdom.
Then, it appears, Government are as much
gainers by the loss of vessels as ship-builders are
" They are more so, since the property of Go-
vernment is only nominal, and consists only of
duties, for which no real value is given; but the pro-
perty of ship-builders is real material and work-
manship.
" Does this account, then, for the repugnance
which Government have to encourage the building
of vessels stronger and safer, which do not belong
to the Royal Navy?
" In my opinion it does so.
" Was not there a Committee of the House of
Cmmons appointed to inquire into the loss of steam-
vessels, sometime ago ?
" Yes.

" And what was the result ?
" A report of the House of Commons, recom-
mending that steamers should be built stronger,
which in all prob ibility will be carried into effect
in the year 1932, and, Finis.
" Since you are so well informed on the subject,
why do you not let the public know how easy it
would be to prevent many shipwrecks and drown-
ings ?
" Do you think I am a fool ?

" No.
" Then how can you expect that I, having the
fear of God, arid of losing my situation, before my
eyes, would furnish the public with information
which might have the effect of taking my bread
from me ?
" How could giving the information be the
means of taking your bread from you ?
" If vessels were built stronger and safer, there
would be fewer losses, and consequently fewer in-
surance-brokers, agents, and underwriters; and it
then might happen that my employer might have no
employment for himself, and consequently would
have none for me. In fact, with all this immense
establishment of Lloyd's, which is supported by
the losses of vessels and merchandize, and which
are paid for by a tax levied from the public, the
business would almost entirely be taken away from it.
" But could you not give the information to the
public, without its being known where it came
from ?
" Would the loss of my situation not be punish-
ment sufficient, without losing my money, and get-
ting the of all parties in addition ?
" You would not get the of the public.
" No. But did you ever know the public to re-
ward its benefactor yet ? Look to James Watt ;
look to Henry Bell ; look even to the great Sir
Isaac Newton. No, no. A grateful and discerning
public takes special care that its benefactors shall be
first duly starved to death, and then it raises monu-
ments to perpetuate their memories. The public
gratitude is very much like Falstaff's description of
honour; therefore, I'm for none on't.'
" I never thought our business had any connec-
tion with Burking by wholesale before.
" It is rather a harsh expression, but it tends to
the same end, that of getting money from others.
" Do you consider that any vessels are lost acci-
dentally on purpose ?
" Yes. Many.
" From what reason do you suppose so ?
" From the cupidity of human nature.
" Please to explain yourself.
" Where you see trials in the newspapers every year,
almost every month, of people insuring their proper-
ties, and then setting fire to the premises, to defraud
insurance corn panies, depend upon it the same thing
is done, to a much greater extent, with shipping,
with a different element, being water instead of fire ;
and where a vessel is lost, accidentally on purpose,
in 99 cases out of 100, detection becomes imp racti-
cable, and is never attempted, and the loss is effected
therefore without risk. But it all comes off the
shoulders of the public, who are well able to bear it.
" But should not means be taken to inform the
public of this?
"1 question much whether the public wouV\
thank any person to inform them; since, when they
are robbed, and a portion of them drowned, without
the survivors suspecting that they might both be
prevented,---' where ignorance is bliss, 'twou'd be
folly to be wise.'
" But why do not shipowners and underwriters
look to prevent these losses?
" For the reasons I gave you before—that it is
frequently the interest of the shipowner that his
vessel should be lost; and in no case where his
vessel is fully insured does he need to care about
it being lost; and that, if there were no losses at
sea, there would be no sea insurances. And hark !
—a word in your ear; but we must keep this to
ourselves—instead of a vessel and a half being lost
every day, some underwriters, shipowners, and ship-
builders, do not care a fig if there were a vessel and
a half lost every hour; and the crew and passengers
drowned, so long as it fills their Dockets.
" Then, how is this crying evil to be remedied ?
" Only by the public voice being loudly and
clamorously raised against it; or more effectually
still, by prohibiting all sea insurances, when, take
my word for it, there will not be one wreck for four
that take place at present ; and this would be more
effectual than any interference of the Legislature,
which the ingenuity of man might contrive means
to evade.
" But if sea insurances were prohibited, would
not that check commerce ?
" On the contrary, it would very much increase
it. There is no difference of opinion, that if sea
insurances were prohibited, vessels would be made
very much stronger and safer, and at least a half of
the shipwrecks which will otherwise take place
would be prevented.
" But would Hot that be too great a risk for the
merchant and shipowner ?
" No. They would then have their property
preserved in fact and in reality, instead of paying a
tax upon it in an insurance-office, which does not
preserve it, and which is borne by the public. In-
deed, it we look upon merchant shipping in its true
light, as a bridge connecting distant countries toge-

then, it is evident the stronger and safer we can
make that bridge, the less tax there will be required
to be levied from passengers and good: ; and on
the other hand, the weaker and more insecure the
bridge is, and the more repairs it requires, the greater
tax must be levied from passengers and goods, trj
keep it up, and to pay for the repairs; and which
expenses must just be paid for again by the con-
;timers of the commolitieß, so that a stronger bridge
would very much facilitate and increase, instead of
checking commerce.
" By your reasoning, then, it seems to be a pity
that ever sea insurance was invented ?
It is chargeable with the loss of hundreds cf
thousands of human lives, and hundreds of milliohs
of property.
" I always thought it was a good thing before.
" And so many who have not considered the
subject think yet. But so much are the best insti-
tutions of men liable to be abused and perverted,
that there is no doubt that the cause of three-fourths
of the wrecks and damages to goods which take
place in the world is owing to Insurance ! Insur-
ance ! Insurance !
The conversation being here ended, the clerks
rose and walked away.

NESTATINSTER SESSIONS-(THIS DAY.)

Maria Painter, was indicted fur stealing a half crown
and some copper money, the property of Robert Roach.
The prosecutor, who was a carpenter's apprentice,
stated that on the night of the 11th instant he met the
prisoner in Sutton-street, and was invited by her to a
!souse of ill-fame. lie rejected her offer, and she instantly
thrut her hand into his pocket, and took out a half-crown
and all the copper money he had. lie called the police,
and she was given into custody.
She was found Guilty. S,mtence deferred.
Robert Maggs, a person of respectable appearance,
was put to the bar, at the instance of his wife, Martha
Alaggs, who exhibited articles of the peace against him for
ill-treatment.

Mr. DOANE, who appeared for Mr. Maggs, described the
ill usage she had received at his hands, and the fears she en-
tertained for her own safety, if he were not placed under re-
straint. She had been married to him eleven years, and had
two children by him, but for a considerable time he had not
only contributed nothing towards their suppart, but he
had exhibited the greatest violence towards her. The ar-

tieles particularly alluded to two occasions, viz,, the 15th
and 29th of November. On the former day he threatened
to cut her throat with a razor, and would doubtless have
eff-cted his purpose had he not been prevented by his
,ervants. Oa that night he turned her out of the house
in her nightdress only, and she was found in that state
by the police. On the latter day he threatened her life,
and knocked her down. He swore he would burn the
house and furniture, and in pursuance of that threat, he
actually proceeded to set fire to the premises. He had also
threatened that as soon as he had got his liberty he would
turn her out Of doors. Under these circumstances, both
the exhibitant's friends, and those of the defendant advisid
the present proceeding, in order that the defendant's
conduct might be controlled in future.
The articles having been read, the CHAIRMAN asked the
defendant what he had to say.
The defendant declared it was all false, and he could
prove it out of the mouths of his wife and the other wit-
nesses if they were called.
The CHAIRMAN thought it was but reasonable that the
exhibitant should be examined.
Mr. DOANE hoped that such an unusual course would
not be allowed.
The CHAIRMAN said lie knew it was not usual, but
where the Court entertained a doubt they were at liberty
to examine the witnesses. This was a quarrel between
man and wife, and it seemed at present wholly unac-
counted for.
Mr. CLARKSON said he had bad occasion to refer to
authorities on this point, and he found it laid down that
articles of the peace were not traversable at all.
The CHAIRMAN quoted a case, in which Lord Ellenbo-
rough had laid down that the articles should not be in-
quired into " unless the Court entertain any doubt."
Several Magistrates on the Bench appeared to disagree
with the Chairman, and were against the examination of
the witnesses.
The CHAIRMAN said, as the general opinion was against
biro, he felt greatly relieved.
Mr. HEATON observed, that it was inconsistent with
the law of the land, that a man should be imprisoned
w.thout being beard in his defence.
The CHAIRMAN felt the force of the observation, but,
upon taking the votes of the magistrates present, he found
that lie was the only one in favour of examining the ex-
hibitant, there being five against him.
The defendant loudly complained of the injustice of being
condemned without the opportunity of examining wit-
, uesses, and he declared that his wife would ❑ot have re-
sorted to this step had she not been obiged to do it by

. _
others, who were defraying the expenses of it.
Mr. Doane applied for 48 hours' notice of bail, and
stated that the defendant bad bee❑ in custody, in default
of bail, ever since he was taken before the magistrate.
The defendant was the❑ ordered to find bail for twelve
months, to keep the peace, himself in 100/., and two
sureties in 50/. each.
He was removed in custody.

Soon after the Duke of Newcastle had com-
pleted his recent purchase of the Hafod estate, he was
informed that the small-pox was raging amongst the poor,
and that no medical gentleman resided within seven miles
of his mansion. The Duke immediately requested a
medical gentleman at Aberystwith to attend the sick poor
twice a week at the expense of his Grace, and directed that
every poor person who wished it should be vaccinated.
The same Nobleman has also directed his steward to em-
ploy all the poor labourers in draining, and other improve-
ments, at from 15d. to 18d. per diem.
PRESENTS FOR YOUTH.—Among the many
attractive works offered to notice at the present moment,
perhaps there are none so preeminently worthy to be
presented to the youth of England as Mr. Ward's two
works, " Trernaine" and " De Vere ;" an edition of which
we observe is now published at only 4s. per volume, bound.
These works must be regarded as a precious legacy from
an artist of the very highest order. Experience of life,
not only in its higher and more brilliant colours, but also
in its massive, and all its most touching shades, speaks to
us throughout these works in the earnest tone cf a friend,
who is truly solicitous for our happiness; and speaks in a
tone often so persuasive, always se graceful, so gentle-
manly, and so engaging, that we unaffectedly pity the
heart which it cannot penetrate, and lament the corruptioa
which it cannot reform. The writer has a heart so ad-
mirably attuned to all the kindly sensibilities of our nature,
that nothing connected with the amelioration and felicity
of his species is indifferent to his feelings.
We have much pleasure in stating that all the
heavy part of the repairs of the bridges of the chain pier,
which have been carried on under Ciptain Brown's per-
sonal superintendence, is completed in the most substantial
manner ; the platforms of the bridge, although not en-
tirely laid, will be sufficiently safe and commodious for
visiters to proceed to the outer pier-head on Monday
next. The passage will be enclosed with stancheons
and ropes, and these will remain until the pier is com-
pleted, which, it is expected, will be in three weeks.
Brighton Gazette.
Extract of a letter from Havre of the 22d
inst. 1--." The westerly winds that have constantly pre-
vailed for the last six weeks have kept upwards of 50
vessels of different descriptions completely bound in the
port, and on the first favourable change we shall have the
sight of a large fleet leaving our harbour. The weather
continued very tempestuous throughout last night, the gale
blowing at times with very great violence, but this morn-
ing it has subsided, though the sea continues to roll very
heavily."
It is not,
we believe, generally known that
the bumourous Novel of " Sailors and Saints," which is
announced to form the second number of the Naval and
Military Library of Entertainment, now issuing in cheap
monthly sets, is the production of Captain Glascock, who
commanded the Orestes in the Douro, during the long
series of conflicts between the Aliguelites and the Pedroites
at Oporto. A
POLITICAL PUN.—UOe bielt petite partie
(le la France crie " Vive Louis Philippe !" tout le rests
en rit (Henri).—Le Corsair.
A murder of an uncommon and very shocking
kind was perpetrated at the Hague on this day se'nuight.
A journeyman blacksmith, while heating an iron rod in
t smithy
tire, desired an apprentice to bring him some
gin. This was a practice which the master had strictly pro -
hibited, but the fellow insisted upon being obeyed. The lad
remonstrated with him, and filially refused to execute his
order, upon which the barbarian pulled the rod out of the
tire, and red hot as it was, ran it against the youth's
breast. The glowing iron passed quite through the young
in u's lardy, an ,1 part of it came out at Lis back. Death
instantly followed, and the barbarian fled, but it was ex.
pe;:ted that be would soon be taken.

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

In our last two publications we noticed an
article in the Quarterly Review respecting the
Lord Chancellor, and a pamphlet which has
been published in reply to that article. We now
conclude our observations on both. As, ac-
cording to the reviewer, all the reforms of the
Court of Chancery sprung, Minerva like, at
once from the brain of Sir Edward Sugden, so
it now appears that " everybody agreed that the
70 Commissioners should he reduced, and that
the system should be altered !" Now, if " every-
body" meant Lord Lyndhurst and Sir Edward
Sugden, this is totally untrue, for his Lordship,
whatever might have been his notion as to other
legal reforms, twice whilst he held the seals
took occasion to laud the London Commis-
sioners, assuring the House of Lords " that the
machinery, after all the inquiries he had been
able to institute, appeared to him extremely
well adapted for carrying into effect the bank-
rupt laws as they stood." If, however, by
" everybody" is meant all but Sir Edward Sug-
den and Lord Eldon and Lord Lyndhurst,
the reviewer is pretty nearly correct ; for the
enormities perpetrated by the tribunals of the
" seventy" were exposed by almost every un-
biassed witness before the Chancery commission,
—we say not a word about the old subject of
the patronage—viz., whether the appointment
of ten Judges to responsible situations is of
more value than the appointment (at the rate of
six or seven in a year) of 70 commissioners,
who might be selected from a scale in which the
zero of incompetency was so low that no one
who possessed interest was ever found unfit for
the office. With regard to the savings effected
by the change, the pamphlet before us distinctly
shows that the permanent saving will be 36,0001.
a-year, 12,0001. being deducted for compensa-
tion for the present. And with regard to the
apprintment of six new Commissioners and
four new Judges, the Judges, it is true, were
new, and if new courts are created, new
Judges must be made to preside in them ; but
there were not six new commissioners, for four
out of the six were commissioners before. As
to the Court of Review not having sufficient
business, and therefore its appointment being
evidence that the machinery was not well planned,
any one has but to look at what has been re-
peatedly stated by the Chancellor on' this head
—viz., that as to the number of judges and
Commissioners lie was not answerable, for he
was overruled by those who, from their practical
knowledge of the detail were consulted, and who
contended that a smaller number were insuffi-
cient ; the Chancellor, however, has not shown
himself unwilling to remedy the error, if error
it be, for on the death of one of the four Judges
no successor has been appointed ; and in the
last session a proportion of the duties of the
Insolvent Court which the present judges
could not perform has been devolved on these
judges. As to the working of the measure
itself, nothing but a want of space prevents us
from giving the striking illustrations afforded
by the pamphlet to prove that the rapidity of
proceeding in most of the great bankruptcies
has been increased nearly twofold, and that,
in many instances, the vigilance of the offi-
cial assignees has recovered for the creditors
large balances, which otherwise would have
remained for ever in the hands of fraudulent
assignees. Another charge is, that the Secre-
tary of Bankrupt still remains, and is enabled to
practise as usual as an attorney, and has 1,2001.
a year, and divers clerks under him. Now what
is the answer to this ? Why, that (as was stated
by Sir C. Wetherell) the Chancellors in all
times past have appointed attorneys, and that it
was no practice originated by Lord Brougham.
The only real change is, that the new Secre-
tary's salary is reduced from 2,5001. a year to
1,2001., with just as much to do as any former
Secretary ever performed. The Chancery Re-
form Act transfers the appointment of Masters
in Chancery from the Lord Chancellor to the
Crown. Hitherto the appointment was a private
patronage, and has seldom been exercised with
much reference to the fitness of the person
named ; hereafter no Minister would dare
to recommend to the Crown one whose
sole merit is the possession of the pri-
vate friendship of him whose duty it is to se-
lect the fittest person for the office. No merit,
however, is allowed to his Lordship for this
constitutional measure ; in the eyes of the re-
viewer it is nothing but a master-stroke of policy,
seeming the patronage to himself when he ceases
to be the judicial Chancellor. The whole
system of the appointment of country commis-
sioners is, in the same strain of truth and justice,
represented as a mere trick to obtain additional
patronage and power. The plain answer to
this is, the Chancellor had no power of appoint.
ing one of these commissioners. The Judges
had the sole power ; and, if report says true,
their Lordships did not on all occasions prove
themselves so entirely divested of party feelings
as might have been expected. Next came a
whole string of pungent observations as
to the manner in which the Chancellor has
bestowed his great patronage. We have no room
for a word on this subject, nor is it necessary ;
public opinion is so completely made up on this
point, that not even the dullest reader could be
deceived by any assertions which the boldest
writer in the Review could make. Even Lord
Brougham's enemies, always excepting a few
thick-and-thin opponents, have allowed that
there is no cause for cavil on this head. The
last charge we shall notice is, " that Lord
Brougham's business is in arrear—that he can
not get on." A plain statement of five lines
answers this. On the 14th inst., there were 63
appeals ready for hearing (some have since been
heard) none had been entered more than 18
months, and of these 10 had been entered at the
commencement of thelast sittings. Lord Brougham
—when he had the seals—found 103 appeals,
and of these many had been set down two years
and a half: From January, 1831, to Decem-
ber, 1833, he decided 220 appeals, and in a
corresponding period Lord Lyndhurst decided
only 123. At all events, Lord Brougham
moves quicker than his predecessor. As to the
intention of Lord Brougham to divide the
duties of the Chancellorship, it is a question
which presents considerable and varied difficul-
ties, and one yet to be discussed. As far as we
have yet considered the question, we think the
reasons are in favour of it. Is it necessary to
waste a word in answer to the charge that Lord
Brougham proposes the change, that he may retain
his salary, and relieve himself from the duties of
his office ? Some of our readers, seeing the
nature of the attacks, may feel surprised that
any clefericeisliould have been made : had these
consisted" merely`--of some two or three false
,-assertions dr misr4iNsentations, we should have
:„..let them pass ; but Vlen 15 out of 31 pages of
c-the "leading article": 6f the ultra-Tories' journal
.'-contain in every 10th ;line some assertion which
'._ _

4LIO • -
(11-JZ

is untrue, or some insinuation which nothin g
but a reference to the facts could show to be
groundless, we own we felt it due to Lord
Brougham—nay, indeed, to ourselves, who have
on all occasions testified our respect for his high
talents and the beneficial effects of the great
changes he is working out, to expose the sort of
warfare to which his unflinching determination
to reform our laws and abate all sinecures and
corruption perpetually exposes him.—Times.
From the language used at the tithe meetings
throughout England, we foresee that Ministers
will have great difficulty in effecting a commu-
tation of tithes. It is of the greatest consequence
that this great question should be settled once
for all ; but we are quite certain that Ministers
would never dare to propose a commutation on
such a principle as that contended for at several
late meetings, and more especially at a late great
meeting in Devonshire :
" I shall now proceed (said Mr. Parrott, M.P.)
to state the nature and extent of the dispute between
the tithe-receiver and the tithe-payer :—The tithe.
receiver claims a tenth part of the gross produce of
the land to be taken in kind, or an equivalent in
money for it.—(Hear, hear.) The tithe-payer ob-
jects to his claim, but says he is ready to settle the
dispute upon these terms, viz., that tithes shall no
longer be taken in kind; that the tithe-receiver shall
(when he has the great and small tithes) he paid
annually two shillings in the pound, according to the
clear annual value of the land, in lieu of such tithes,
subject to Parliamentary and parochial charges
as before—such annual value to be deter-
mined by some fair mode of arbitration. When
the great tithes belong to one, and the small
to another, the proportion to each to be ad-
justed in the same way. All Ecclesiastical Courts
and Courts of Equity to cease to take cognizunce of
the causes.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.) At all
events, this is the dispute in Devonshire, and I
perceive they are taking the same view of it in
Sussex and other counties. [Mr. Short—And
Hereford.] From want of consideration, most men
confound tithe with rent—but they are very diffe-
rent things. Tithe, as claimed, is a portion (the
tenth) of the gross produce of the land; rent is a
part of the net profits, paid by the farmer for
the use and occupation of the land. Hence the mis-
take that is commonly made,, that if the tithe tax
was removed, the landlord would pocket the diffe-
rence; whereas the consumer of the produce is the
person who would derive the most benefit from
such removal—because the farmer being a capitalist,
like the merchant or manufacturer, must not only
replace what he has laid out in stock;ng and culti-
vating his farm, but after having had one-tenth part
of the gross produce taken by the tithe-proctor from
him, he must also have the ordinary rate of profit
on the sum embarked in the speculation. It is thus
far the taking such tenth that keeps much land out
of cultivation altogether, and much from being im-
proved. It is this that keeps provisions at least 15
per cent. higher than they otherwise would be, and
by which the consumer is affected to that extent.
The consumer, therefore, will see that it is his inte-
rest to join the owners and occupiers of lands in
pressing for a fair settlement of this question. The
landlord will gain but little by the change—the
tenant will get rid of the vexation and annoyance
to which he is now subject; but as cultivation
would be extended, and produce increased; the ad-
vantage to the consumer would be greater than to
both landlord and tenant."
Without entering into the question respecting
the effect of tithes on prices, and the parties
who would benefit by their abolition, we may
state that, under the existing law, tithes are
unquestionably of more value than two shillings
in the pound of the rent, and that, conse-
quently, the tithe-holders will strenuously oppose
any attempt to settle with them at such a rate.
Admitting tithe to be a tax, still if a tax has
been alienated to individuals, they may justly
claim to have a fair consideration for it. Were
the Church the only holder, the question would
merely be, whether the produce of the tax
assigned to its members be or be not beyond a
just equivalent for its services ; and were it to
be found that the clergy received too much, a
part of the produce might be devoted to other
public purposes, or some other tax might be
substituted to it. But a great part of the tithe
has come into lay hands, and in settling with
them, the question will not be, who will benefit
by the abolition of tithes, but what is a fair
equivalent for the tenth part of the gross pro-
duce. Two hundred years ago, the Scotch
fixed one.fifth part of the rent as the value o

the tithe, and that was deemed rather below
than above the value, for the Scotch Courts, in
all questions of tithe, except those between the
holder of the land and the letter of the tithe, fixed
the proportion of the tithe to the rent at one-fourth
part. It is not probable that the English impropri-
ators will consent to receive a smaller proportion of
the jent than that laid down in Scotland. Tile
Scotch, however, did more than lay down the
proportion of the rent to be taken as the value
of the tithe. They also fixed the number of
years' purchase of the tithe so valued, at which
the landowner might redeem it, in consequence
of which the owner of the soil is now in general
also the owner of its tithe. It is of infinite
consequence to the landowners that some plan
of this kind should at once be agreed on ; and
they ought to throw as few impediments in the
way of a settlement as they possibly can. Had
such a settlement taken place one hundred
years ago, how much better would it have been
for all parties ? When we say this, we would
not wish to be thought desirous of recommend-
ing anything like obstinacy on the part of the
titheholders. The example of Ireland, and the
almost universal abolition of tithes on the Con-
tinent should teach them moderation. So odious
is this tax from its mode of collection, that it
is always the first abolished in all times of com-

motion-. From the following observations of
Mr. Northmore, it would appear that the Devon-
shire landowners might be induced to give
something more than.2s. in the pound :--
" I say, then, in giving two shillings in the
pound, we shall be acting very honourably and
fairly—(Hear, hear)—to give a parson who does
not always reside in the parish, for a good many of
them have more benefices than one, which, how-
ever, I think is contrary to the spirit of Christianity,
and yet where they do their duty, every man is
worthy of his hire, and the parson who does his
duty deserves two shillings in the pound of the fair
rental—(Cheers)--but at the utmost I would not
give them more than two and sixpence in the
pound, and this, I say, because some gentlemen
whom I have in my eye may come and divide you
at the county meeting with a motion for three
shillings in the pound. I repeat, however, I
would not give them more than two and sixpence,
aad I think it would be very fair at two shillings
in the pound ; therefore I hope the motion at the
county meeting, let it be what it may, will be right,
and brought forward in a manly and straight for-
ward manner as the will of the people, and the will
of the people is the will and law of God."—.2lforn-
ing Chronicle.

The speeech of the King of the French,
which we published on Wednesday, is every way
Worthy of the Doctrinaire Cabinet from which

______ ..........
It emanates. It is a laboured effort to produce
an impression on the public mind favourable to
the Government of Louis Philip, without con-
veying any clear or definite meaning upon sub-

jects the most important to France and th e
civilised world. It is the meagre and frigid
production of a timid cunning and evasive policy,
which endeavours to conceal, under expressions
equally pompous and obscure, the craven spirit,
and which would throw itself openly into the arms
of despotism, if it did not dread the vengeance of
another revolution. With curious inconsistency
this Royal record describes France as enjoying
all the blessings of peace and order," and yet
afflicted with all that insecurity and want of
public confidence which belong to a nation
whose repose is on the brink of a political
volcano. In one part of this absurd document
we find it stated that " the population, indus-
trious and peaceful, feels assured of the
stability of existing institutions." In an-
other, we are told that " insensate passions
and criminal manoeuvres are at work to
shake the foundations of social order." How
it is possible for public peace and social
order to be so firm and so insecure at the same
time, it is as difficult to conceive as to under-
stand why a population so industrious and
peaceful, and so convinced of the stability of
existing institutions, should afford so much
combustible matter to the torches of political
incendiaries as to keep a wise and paternal Go.
vernment in a state of alarmed and jealous vigi-
lance, lest order, so well established, and institu-
tions so safe in the defence of the people's love,
should suddenly perish in some terrible and
general conflagration. We do not believe this
to be a mere blunder of the composers of the
speech. It is a political paradox, to which we
think we can find the key. The " Citizen-King"
has undertaken to please two antagonist Powers ;
the one by seeming—the other by real attach-
ment to its interests. The former is the people
of France, the latter, the Autocrat of Russia.
Hence it is that the French are told of the pros-
perous things which they enjoy under his reign,
and that these are " the results of the equity and
moderation of his policy ;" and hence it is that
the terrors of imaginary treason are so strongly
painted, and the threats against the promoters
of the revolutionary movement are thrown
out. One of the organs of the Holy Alli-
ance in Germany lately said that it was at Paris
and Vienna the propaganda of revolution was to
be put down. A Congress meets at Vienna
to devise measures for the utter subversion of
the remaining liberties of the German States.
No Congress meets at Paris for the purpose of
suppressing the liberties of France. But the
Doctrinaire Government of Louis Philip, as
far as they dare avow it, undertake to do the
work of the Holy Alliance. An attempt has
just been made on the lives of 27 individuals by
one of those prosecutions for a mock-plot against
the State which have been of such frequent
occurrence since Louis Philip came to the throne.
Not having succeeded in that effort of "an
equitable and moderate" policy, Louis Philip
informs the Autocrat, through the medium of
his speech, that his Ministers will ever be ready
to offer tip new victims to insure that peace and
order of which the exterminator of Poland must
necessarily be fond. " Thus," he adds, almost
in the terms of the scribe of the Holy Alliance
at Vienna, "we shall at length put an end to
revolution." The despotic Powers describe
everything in the shape of political improvement
as revolutionary. In this sense the Doctrinaires
of the Tuileries use it, and in this sense the
Speech of the King of the French goes one
step towards fulfilling the Austrian predic-
tion that it is at Paris and Vienna the pro-
paganda of revolution is to be put down. Such
being the leading feature of the speech, there is
the less necessity for commenting upon the
topics, either of internal or foreign policy, which
it embraces. The former will be regulated so
as to restrict political liberty to the narrowest
possible limits, while pompous phraseology
about the public rights and the Charter are
sounded in the ears of the defrauded people :
the latter will be conducted pretty much as the
Emperor of Russia desires, as it has been hi
therto, ever since the Polish insurrection ob.

tained for Louis Philip that recognition from
the Northern Autocrat which, up to that mo-
ment, had been scornfully refused. In his petty
and persevering persecution of the Poles the
King of the Barricades has since evinced his
gratitude for the reluctant condescension of the
ruthless destroyer of that ill-fated and noble
people. It may be recollected that the Govern-
ment papers, some time since, threw out broad
hints about a commercial treaty, upon a most
liberal principle, between France and England,
which was all but signed, and which had been
brought about by the persuasive arguments of
Mr. Poulett Thomson with the French Ca-

binet. We expressed ourselves sceptical on
that head, nor did the Vice-President of
the Board of Trade make any allusion
to so important a subject in his recent speech to
his constituents at Manchester. The King of the
French says—" 1 hope that the new law of the
Customs, while it evinces the progress of our
industry, will reconcile the protection which it
requires with those principles of prudent free-
dom which enlightened Governments are dis-
posed to admit." The political economist must
have either a very microscopic or a very fanciful
eye who can discover in this anything like a
recognition of the principle of unlimited " free
trade" as beneficial to France. The modern
political economists of England expunge the
word " protection" from their vocabulary—and
we might be inclined to go with- them if they
would erase from the commercial dictionary the
word taxation too. The King of the French,
however, thinks both prudence and protection
necessary to the trade of France. From this we
may infer that, although the Doctrinaires of
France do many absurd things, they are not
quite so foolish as the Doctrinaires of England,
who, to please foreigners, without obtaining any
reciprocal advantage, broke down those admi-
rably contrived navigation laws, which created
the unrivalled navy that obtained for England
the dominion of the ocean, From what we have
already intimated respecting the understanding be-
tween the Governments of Paris and St. Peters-
burgh as to putting down what is called the revo-
lutionary propagandism, it follows that the
relations of France with other Powers must be

pacific. Russia aims at a dominion incompa-
tible with the welfare and independence of other
European nations. In her policy she is sup-
ported byAustria and Prussia, which are ready to
assist her in the meditated partition of Turkey,
as they formerly assisted her in the atrocious
crime of the partition of Poland, for which they
received their blood-stained reward. Now, if
the Government of France were resolved to

. _
i___._
give Russia any serious interruption n her pro-
jects, it is probable that Louis Philip would
have any thing but " amicable assurances" from,
at least, the three Northern Powers. He would,
probably, have an intimation of a new crusade,
as he had before the Polish insurrection, to put
down the " Revolution of July." As to Russia,

if she can get all she wants peaceably, she will
not go to war. Her ambition can only be stopped
by negotiation or arms. The negotiation of
both England and France has, by a course of the
most subservient imbecility, encouraged, rather
than impeded, her rapacious designs; and we
fear the proper season for threats of armed
resistance has been allowed to go by. That was
the time when the brave people of Poland were
in the field, and when both the faith of treaties
and a sense of self interest demanded that
England and France should prevent the destruc-
tion of that rampart of Western Europe.
Russia now dictates the policy of Courts from
Constantinople to Madrid, and plans the exten-
sion of her power and her commerce from the
Frozen Ocean to the banks of the Ganges,
and the shores of the Mediterranean. The
King of the French takes credit to himself for
having recognised Donna Maria upon obtain-
ing possession of Lisbon, though he allowed
her to leave his dominions under circumstances
of insult and dignity. The development
which success has given to the character of
Don Pedro, does not allow us to hope much
for the freedom and civilisation of Portugal if
his daughter's triumph should confirm his
ascendancy. With regard to Spain, Louis
Philip tells the French that he hastened to
acknowledge Donna Isabella 11. on the death
of her father; but he does not remind the
people whom he addresses that the Queen
Regent took care to conciliate Russia in the
first instance, by making a declaration of ab-
solute principles on behalf of her infant
daughter, which placed her throne in jeopardy,
and gave the Carlists a greater moral power
than they could otherwise have acquired. If
we wanted an additional proof of the sub-
serviency of Louis Philip to Nicholas, the
present speech would afford it. It is a decla-
ration of faith which must satisfy the imperious
Autocrat that the King of the Barricades is not
unworthy his favour and protection.—Morning
Herald.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

MANSION-HO USE.

A person named Win. Russell was brought before
the LORD MAYOR, charged with having embezzled
several small sums of money, the property of his
employer, Mr. George William, of No. 9, Sweeting's-
alley, stationer.

The practice to which the detection of the pri-
soner put an end, was a ruinous one, and the Lord
Mayor expressed his fears that hundreds of trades-
men suffered by similar modes of robbery. He
made this remark without meaning in the least to
prejudice the prisoner.
Mr. Adams stated that the prisoner had lived in
his employment about two years, and from some
circumstances it was suspected that embezzlement
was going on. The necessary means were adopted
for ascertaining the fact. Some persons were sup-
plied by the prosecutor with marked silver, and sent
to purchase trifling articles in the shop. The pri-
soner served the customers with the goods, but
made false entries of the amount, and pocketed the
difference between the entry and the receipt.
The prisoner was remanded, for further exami-
nation.

The ingenious thieves who infest the different
markets have been very successful this season in
getting hold of a great variety of joints of meat and
fish, turkeys, hares, pheasants, &c. As soon as a
piece of beef or other Christmas meal was deposited
at a tradesman's house one of the market scamps
marked the place, and, with a tray on his shoulder,
knocked at the oor, told the servant that a coarse
piece of beef had been left by mistake, and that in
a few minutes the right sort would be substituted.
The servant. glad that the error was detected in
time, in almost every instance gave up the meat,
which was soon turned into cash. In one instance
a family in Bishopsgate-street was robbed of a tur-
key and a round of beef by a fellow who looked like
a butcher; and in another a poor fellow, who had
pawned his watch to give his children an extra
treat on Christmas-day, had the joint whipped
away, and was obliged to put up with the miserable
substitute of a couple of sheep's heads.
Mr. Willoughby, of Bishopsgate-street, had or-
dered home a piece of beef on Tuesday, and soon
after it was left at the house a man called and told

the servant that the wrong beef had been brought
home. Mr. Willoughby having read in the news-
papers of the tricks which were generally played
off at Christmas, and being convinced that the beef
was the right beef, seized the customer, and gave
him into the custody of an officer.
Ledbitter, the Marshalman, had heard numerous
complaints about stolen Christmas dinners, and he
had reason to suppose that the thieves who were in
the habit of watching for plunder of this kind were,
notwithstanding the experience of the town, very
lucky in their plans within the last day or two.
The prisoner, who said his name was James Smith,
was remanded, in order that those who have been
robbed of their dinners might come forward and look
at him.

Mr. Stewart, of No. 68, Cheapside, waited upon
the LORD MAYOR to state that the Lynn customers
had done him the favour of sending him an order
for clothes some time ago. He, however, did not
fancy dealing with a stranger without money or a
reference, and lost nothing by the correspondence
except the postage. He suspected from the account
which he had read in the newspapers that the per-
son called Mr. P. in the communication of the
Mayor of Lynn was the identical gentleman who
had felt an admiration for his peculiar cut. The
following is the letter to Mr. Stewart, which he
answered in a very unwelcome style:—
" Terrace Walk, Lynn Regis, Norfolk.
" Messrs. Stewart and White.

" Gentlemen—Having an inclination for my clothes to
ba made in town, as my late tailor is dead, I am induced
to give you the preference, knowing you to sell good
articles. As such, I shall feel obliged by your forwarding
to me (per the Lynn coach) on Thursday next, from either
Belle Sauvage, Ludgate-hill, or Cross Keys, Wood-street
—viz. An olive green hunting coat, pockets with flaps on
the sides, gilt button, with the fox cut upon it; a double
breasted light coloured waistcoat to match it, with two
pairs of strong shooting trousers, and a pair of braces.
At the same time I beg you will have the goodness to
enclose the account thereof, the amount of which I will
direct my bankers to remit you. I shall, in all probabi-
lity, visit town in six weeks or two months; and if you
please me in make, I shall of course give you a large
order.—Waiting your reply, I am, Gentlemen, your
obedient,
" Oct. 19, 1833. " WILLIAM PARKER."
Then followed the items of the measure of Mr.
Parker.

The LORD MAYOR was glad to hear that Mr.
Stewart was not quite so credulous as the gentle-
man who, a few days ago, completed the order of
Mr. P., who was no other than that very Mr.
Parker, and was favoured with an order immediate-
ly afterwards from Mr. Parker's friend, who was
taken with the cut of the clothes, and, no doubt,
with the terms too.

Mr. Stewart said that after he communicated to
Mr. Parker that money was indispensable in the
business, he never heard more from the gentleman.
His Lordship received another letter from Lynn
expressing the strong obligation the tradespeople
were under to his Lordship's predecessor for ex-
posing the systems of deception practised by swin-
dlers, but also stating the writer's fear that the
rascals whom Sir Peter drove out of the city took
up their abode in places where their operations were
lea liable to suspicion. The letter then inOntions
Mr. Parker, a currier, with two other pertionS; one
of whom resides in High-street, Lynn, and the other
at shwick, and states that a tradesman in Regent.

square.

street had been fleeced by Parker, and very nar-
rowly escaped the snares of one of the company.
The LORD MAYOR was of opinion that it was
not probable the company would flourish any more
at Lynn at all events, and stated that he knew from
the result amongst the tradesmen in Londo►► that
the Mayor of Lynn had acted most judiciously in
giving him the earliest information.
MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

The attention of the Magierdtes was occupied
for some hours in disposing of an immense number
of drunken charges which had occurred in the in-
terval between the sittings on Christmas Eve and
yesterday morning. Although great in number they
were deficient in public interest, not one of them
being worthy of notice.
MAR YLEB ONE.

William Foley, a well-known bad character, ‘t as
yesterday placed at the bar, charged by Mr. Charles
Williams, baker, 13, New CI urch-street.
Prosecutor, on the evening of Christmas-day,
having closed his shop, was sitting with a few friends
in the parlour playing at cards, when all on a sudden
the gas in the shop, which he had left burning, was
put out. He took a candle and went into the shop,
where he saw the prisoner, who was in the act of
taking his hand away from the till. Witness col-
lared him, when the prisoner said, " What a while
I've been waiting ! I want a half-quartern loaf."
Witness replied, " I suspect you wanted something
more than that," and immediately called in a pol ee-
man to whom he gave the prisoner into custody.
Keys, an officer of this establishment, here said
that the prisoner had been several times committed
from this office on charges of felony.
Mr. HOSKINS (to prisoner)—What are you ?
Prisoner—l sells inguns and wegetablcs about the
streets.
Mr. Hosxilis—What have you to say to the
charge ? Prisoner-1 denies going there for any
vicked purpose. I vent and knocked at the door
coz I vented some bread, yen the prosecutor come
out and gin me into custody. -
Mr. Hosxm—You are committed for three
months to the House of Correction as a reputed
thief.

Prisoner—Thank yer Worship ; that's a good
Christmas-box.
He was then removed to the lock-up.
HATTON-GARDEN.

Yesterday Sarah Hoperoft, a girl about fourteen
years of age, was brought before Mr. Sergeant
SELLON, charged by Mrs. Elizabeth Phillips, of
Brick-lane, St. Luke's, with having stolen a valu-
able time-piece.
The prosecutrix, on Tuesday last, while standing
at her own door, saw the prisoner in a most pitiable
situation walking in the rain, dripping wet, without
a bonnet, and her shoes and stockings quite wet
and worn out ; in fact she had scarcely a morsel of
clothes to cover her person. She was induced to
question her, when she informed witness that her
mother was lying upon a sick bed, that she had no
father, and was in great distress. She asked her
what she could do, to which she replied that she
could work at her needle, and she had once been
employed to nurse a child. Being in want of a girl
about her age, witness told her to go to her mother
and ask her permission, and she would take her

into her sery ce, at the same time giving her some
bread and butter and a pair of shoes and stockings.
On her return she informed witness that she found
her mother nearly in a dying state, and that, she had
not touched the bread and butter herself, but had
saved it for her " poor mother," and she began to cry.
Witness directed her to wash out one of the rooms,
and to perform other domestic matters about the house,
which she did with so much celerity and neatness
that witness conceived that she had obtained a
" good and industrious girl." In the course of the
day she sent her to her grocer's for some tea and
sugar, when she remained away longer than was
necessary, and on consulting with her husband he
began to suspect that all was not right, and on
searching the drawing-room they missed a valuable
time-piece, when witness recollected having seen the
prisoner leave the place with something wrapped
up in an apron. Inquiries were immediately made
at her mother's, when it was ascertained that her
mother was in perfect health, that her father was
alive, and that the prisoner was a most incorrigible
girl; and it was ultimately discovered that the pri-
soner had pledged the timepiece at Mr. J. Ingram's,
a pawnbroker in the neighbourhood, for 14s.
The property was identified by the prosecutrix,
and the prisoner was remanded.

John a young Scotchman, was charged
by a police constable with having been found in the
area of a house in Bedford•row under suspicious
circumstances.

The constable at about four o'clock yesterday
morning saw the prisoner in the area, when he
thought it was his duty to take him to the station-
house.

Mr. Sergeant SELLON—What are you ? Pri-
soner—l am a bootmaker.

Mr. Sergeant SELLoiv—Where do you live ?
Prisoner—At No. 3, St. Martin's-street, Leicester-

Mr. Sergeant SELLON—What brought you into
the area? Prisoner (with a shy look, rubbing his
hair)—Why, then, I'll tell you. I passed the neet
with the servants.

Mr. Sergeant SELLON—Do you know the ser-
vants ? Prisoner—Oh, yes; they all come frae
Edinboro', where I come frae mysel, yer Worship.
Mr. Sergeant SELLON-But they did not want
you at that early hour in the morning ? Prisoner—
Weel, that is varry true and apparent, or they would
have let me in.

Mr. Sergeant SELLorr—You had been drinking,
I suppose ? Prisoner—Why, a wee drop, your
Worship; so I suppose I mistook my way; but I
tell ye I am known to the servants, who invited me
to spend Christmas night wi' them.
Mr. Sergeant SELLON—What are the names of
the servants ? Prisoner— Martha Hector and Kitty
Flemming.

Mr. Sergeant SELLON—WeII, inquiries shall be
made, and if your story be correct we shall not re-
quire your attendance here again. You are now
discharged.

Sandy said it would be found all perfectly correct,
and he quitted the office.

UNION.HALL.

Elizabeth Edwards, a well looking female, was
charged on suspicion with having robbed a gentle-
man named Copeland of a pocket-book, containing a
1001. note, a paid check for 3,0001., and several
memoranda.

She was remanded, in order to give the police an
opportunity of tracing where the 100/. note was
changed.

THAMESPOLICE.

TRICKS OF B ENEIIITSOCIETIES.—The stewards
of a club called the Friendly Society of Watermen
and Lightermen appeared yesterday before Mr.
BALLANTINE and Mr. BRODERIP to meet the com-
plaints of two of their members, named John
Ghrimes and Joseph Tuckey.
Please your Worships," said one of the com-
plainants, a man almost bent double by age,' they
won't pay me my weekly allowance."
Mr. BALLANTINE—They might do that my good
man, for it don't appear probable that you will re-
quire it long.
The second complainant, a little old man, who
was, if possible, more infirm than the other, said he
had the same complaint to make. His weekly al-
lowance had been stopped without any just cause.
Mr. BRODERIP—How long have you been a con-
tributor ? Second complainant—l have been a
member fifty years, that's all.
Mr. BRODERIP—And how long have you be-
longed to the club ? First complainant—Why,
for thirty-seven years, Sir, and I have paid up
everything.
Mr. BRODERIP—What reason can be assigned
for excluding these poor old men ?
The stewards said the club had lately been in a
declining state of health, and after two or three
meetings the society thought there was a necessity
to shut up the box.
Mr. BRODERIP read
,the enrolled articles, and

said there was a clause which enacted that the 41
should hold together while three members belong
to it; that if any member should endeavour to bd
it up or advise another to dissolve it he should
fined, and that the box should not be shut vilv
the stock amounted to 321.
The stewards admitted their stock was 200!,
that the club now consisted of forty-nine member'
Mr. BRODERIP (warmly)—Then you have °I
the slightest excuse for excluding these men fl 4,
the benefits of the society, and I am astonishet
has been done. One man has been contributing]
the funds for fifty years, and the other for thill
seven. Let the poor men's sick allowance be d
tinned, and all arrears paid.
The stewards said the society had stoppedll
men's allowances; it was not their act.
Mr. BALLANTINE—Then the society must do
and if they lead you wrong you are responsib
This proceeding cannot be tolerated, and if so
things are persevered in it will put an end to'
that good feeling which ought to prevail among I
members of a benefit society. The men were Ve,
old and infirm.

The stewards—Yes, very old men, Sir.
Mr. BALLANTINE—Yes, and you will be old mi
and then your only support will be the funds of t
society.

The stewards said they were quite satisfied, 01
mentioned that the club had been in existence 01
hundred and twenty years.
The Magistrates—Then by all means keep it ul
don't let it die away. Benefit societies do avs
deal of good when properly conducted.