The Sun.
London, England, 1832-12-24 00:00:00

ral restlessness of their character, they do not
value as they ought to do ; and there is a wide

difference indeed between men who desire further
Reform, for the purpose of strengthening Mo-
narchy, and those who wish to destroy the
throne. There are none of the heart-hurnings
in France, occasioned by the pride and insolence
of the superior clergy, which are felt here. There
the Bishop does not estimate his importance in

society by the extent of the income which he
receives, but by the usual influence which his
character imparts ; and no man is compelled to
pay for the support of a Church which he does
not frequent. The mouvement party in France
may, for aught we know to the contrary, have
great reason in some of their demands, but we
scout the idea of comparing them with our Li-
berals, and we hope the good sense of the people
of this country will prevent the attempt which is
making to create alarm ; and, as was the case
during the first French revolution, by stating
that the persons who labour to make the Reform
Bill complete have hostile designs against the
Crown. When they shall have obtained all the
good that the French are enjoying as the fruits
of their revolution, it will be time enough to
charge them with a desire to imitate the Inouye-
merit party in France.

A grand public dinner was given on Satur-
day to Mr. GROTE, at which Messrs. WAR-
BURTON, HUME, and several other influential
friends to the people attended. On this occa-
sion Mr. GROTE recapitulated the leading tenets
of his political faith, foremost among which are
the vote by ballot and triennial Parliaments.
Mr. GROTE is a rare specimen of the high-
minded, intelligent British merchant ; he is one

of those " merchant princes," as Lord
BYRON aptly terms them, who have made
the power and character of Great Bri-
tain felt and respected throughout the world,
and combining, as he does, talent with industry,
the most varied learning with the most disin-
terested liberality, cannot but prove an influential
advocate of popular rights. It is precisely such
a man that we should expect to find foremost
among the converts to the ballot and triennial
Parliaments—two important concessions on the
part of Government which Mr. GROTE, and those
who mark the signs of the times with the keen,
but sober intelligence that he does, cannot
but see are indispensably necessary to work out
the people's redemption. To give the country a
Reform, without at the same time giving it the
means to turn such Reform to fitting account,
is placing it in the position of Tantalus, who
was fixed up to his chin in water, of which,
though distracted with thirst, he was prevented
from drinking a drop. Ministers must be
aware that Reform without the ballot is
but an equivocal boon at the best—a con-
cession more of show than substance—a sort of
Political mirrhage, which, however plausible to
the eye of imagination and credulity, melts
away into vapour, the instant we approach it.
Ministers, we say, cannot but be aware of this,
but if they be really blind, or endowed only
With a doubtful, twilight glimmer on the sub-
ject, then the sooner they are couched
by such expert practitioners as HuNtE and
G/toTE, the better. Mr. G ROTE'S opinions
will, we foresee, have uncommon weight and in-
fluence with a Reformed Parliament. They
are not crude, undigested, or taken up in a
hurry, as fashion or caprice may dictate, but the
glow, deliberate growth of a conviction which
has for many years been working silently, slowly,
but surely, in a strong, thoughtful, and not
easily persuaded intellect. " Many persons," said
Ir GROTE, " who had yet no political creed,
but waited to adopt one on the floor of the
Rouse of Commons, sheltered themselves under
the evasion of not giving pledges. For his own
Part he formed his political creed, long before he
had any expectation of entering the House." It is
Precisely this sort of Statesman, cautious of in-
novation, but firm and peremptory when its ne-
cessity is made manifest, that is most needed, and
ja most likely to obtain influence in a Reformed
House of Commons.

The Allgemeine Zeitung states that Prussia
'lnes not intend to make any alterations in her
Plans as regards the Duchy of Posen, but will
faithfully adhere to the treaty of Vienna. The
Mme journal enters into some remarks respect-
10g the French expedition against Antwerp.

We last week copied a paragraph from the
krning Advertiser, in which it was stated
that the Government had resolved to reduce ma-
terially, if not repeal, the taxes on knowledge.
On inquiry we find that what our contemporary
and what we had previously noticed as a
rumour in circulation, is likely to prove correct.
Lord ALTHORP, who four months ago stated
that he had considerable doubts as to the pro-
-I)6ety of the reduction which he had previously
atlnOtltiCed it to be his intention to propose to
the House of Commons, is now said to have
L
"een so convinced by Mr. BULWER and other
,
`lentlemen who have been in communication
with him on the subject, of the necessity of a
11411ge, that he will bring the subject forward
7
Iy in the next Session of Parliament. We
cerely hope that the intentions of the CHAN-
"-.Loit of the EXCHEQUER will prove such as
are described to us, and that he will remain
'4ll. It is the misfortune of Lord ALTHORP
he so thoroughly good-natured a man, that he
aPt to listen to wrong counsel, without sus-
oting its motive ; and, as there are some per-
1.
1R who fancy they have an interest in main-
T no
ing the taxes on intellect, his Lordship
r d 0 well to consult those only who have
IMerest but the public good. It has been
?13°11d that the LORD CHANCELLOR enter-
-1" some of the doubt which Lord ALTHORP
1 eIY displayed, but we think the anxiety shown
Lord BROUGHAM, as President of the
QejetY for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge,
make that diffusion general and useful, must
1)1e the lie to the rumour of his being favour-
, e to the taxes on knowledge, and a monopoly
the public press.