The Sun.
London, England, 1832-12-07 00:00:00

acres, would immediately revert to him, in terms of
the treaty, as well as the fortress of Venloo. These
districts united include a population of about 350,000
souls,„and the former gives him the complete com-
mand of the navigation of the Meuse. In the
province of Antwerp he has only the citadel, with
quarter's for a few thousand men, who have not for
the last two years been able to take an airing be-
yond the walls of their prison. In this analysis of
the motives of his Dutch Majesty for his present
cruel and profligate policy, we have arrived at the
real cause of his refusal to surrender Antwerp,—the
cause which we have frequently before mentioned,
but which every day becomes more manifest,—we
mean his hopes of recovering Belgium in the gene-
ral confusion to which his warlike proceedings may
lead. Nobody who has actively watched the du-
plicity of his conduct,—his military preparations,—
his repeated threats of invasion, and his actual in-
vasion,—his subterfuges in the Conference,—the
language of his agents in Belgium, and the di-
plomatic phraseology of his Plenipotentiaries in
London, can doubt for a moment the aspiring views
of his Maehiavelian ambition. He called on his
allies to interfere to restore his " revolted pro-
vinces" in November, 1830; he protested against
their declaration of independence in December of
the same year ; and all the efforts which he has
since made, under the mask of negotiating for equi-
table terms of separation, have been directed to re-
cover his lost dominion. Such a result can only
be obtained by a general war,—by a war that
would again bring the Cossacks to the Rhine, and
give Brussels an Austrian garrison. But his Dutch
Majesty can enjoy the scene of devastation and car-
nage provided it gratify his ambition and revenge.
We challenge the warmest Conservative partisans
of his Majesty to disprove this reasoning or to deny
, I these motives„—Timee.

The practice of passing what we can call by no
other name than vindictive sentences, which has
sprung up of late years in the criminal Court at the
Old Bailey, appears to reflect neither credit upon
the law, nor such of the administrators of the law
as adopt it. The practice we allude to is this :
t‘hen a man is found guilty of an offence marked
with more than ordinary atrocity, when he happens
to be known as an old offender, or if during his trial
he has adopted a tone of ignorant bravado towards
the Court or witnesses,—in either of Ihese cases he
is frequently " called up for judgment immediately,"
and the utmost measure of punishment awarded to

him which the law will perinit. It is a sufficient
corroboration of the questionable character of this
practice to state that it is peculiar to the Civic Au-
thorities, and is never res,,rted to (at the old Bailey
at least) by the regular Judges of the land, whose
experience probably has taught them that where
passion reigns the judgment sleeps, and that in a
uniformity of their application the true respect for
and salutary vigour of all laws must mainly consist.
We have ourselves at all times advocated a certainty
and uniformity of punishments, and would place as lit-
tle discretion as possible on that score in the hands of
the Judges; and were it, therefore, the universal and
immutable practice in all cases, that the sentence
should follow immediately on the verdict, both the
terror and effect of the law would in all probability
be strengthened. But, while the rule is otherwise,
the exception we speak of, and, above all, the man-
ner of its operation, cannot with any propriety be
upheld. The duty of the Judge is to be calm, just,
and dignified ; and, above all things, resentment
should, if possible, be incapalle of entering his
mind; or if, in the atrocity of circumstances which
come before him, he feels it impossible to overcome
disgust, the consciousness of that sensation is the
very impulse which should induce him to pause,
and mistrust his judgment, rather than give way to
hasty momentary impressions, which, in the end,
reflection may prove to be either wholly, or at least
in some degree, erroneous. Above all, be should re-
member that nothing is so deceitful as manner ; that
the most hardened offender will often show the
greatest outward respect to authority, while momen-
tary audacity is often nothing more than a mere ebul-
lition of temper.—Morning Herald.

LIBERTY OF THE PRESS IN FRANCE.—
The National says—" There have been 281 seizures of
Journals, and 251 judgments, since the revclution of 1830.
The responsible editors have been condemned together
to 1,226 months' imprisonment, and fines amounting to
347,5501. The number of Journals prosecuted is 84, of
which 41 belong to Paris alone. This statement goes to
October Ist, 1832.

STATE OF THE COUNTRY.—The papers
and letters received since our last, present an aggregate of
crime unparalleled in a civil:zed country. The well af-
ected are deprived of their arms in the open day—the
police and military are attacked and defeated—threatening
notices are posted throughout the land, cautioning the
people against the payment of rent—intimidation has
usurped the place of law, and unless extraordinary means
be resorted to, and that speedily, the live*. and properties
of the gentry will be placed at the disposal of the as,assin
and the robber.—Dublin Evening Mail.
AWFUL STATE OF THE COUNTY CORK.

—We have received letters by this day's post from various
correspondents at and in the neighbourhood of Bandon,
which represent that district to the extent of over twenty
miles, to have exhibited during the past six or eight days
ell the appearance of a country roused into insurrection.
Scarcely a day has passed over without large military and
police parties being seen, acting simultaneously, in different
parishes, in aid of the collection or recovery of tithes.
The bills, for many miles round, are covered with thousands
of the peasantry, who are alone deterred by the presence
of the army from resisting the agents of the incumbents.
Timoleague is represented as presenting the appearance of
a la,sieged town ; Kilmeen likewise. Dunmanway is half
filled with troops, arid Loiv and again the town of Bandon
is aroused by the beat of the drum to arms. Yesterday
eighty of the marine force stationed there, accompanied
by MASKRLINE ALcocK, Esq., a Magistrate, and several
other gentlemen, proceeded to the parish of Murragh, the
rector of which is the Rev. ROBERT ST. LAWRENCE, for
the purpose of serving a number of tithe proc,sses.
Thousands of the peasantry sprung up as if by magic—
stones were thrown—the Magistrates appealed to, hut,
fortunately, in vain, to order the marines to fire. One
process was s,!rved, the rest abandoned, and the half-worn-
out soldiers marched back, amidst the shouts of the
people. The more respectable inhabitants of these districts
are said to be living in a state of great alarm, and this in
parts of the county heretofore proverbially tranquil.— Cork
Reporter.