The Sun.
London, England, 1832-12-01 00:00:00

THE ROYAL SOCIETY.

The annual election of President and the other office rs
,f the above Society, took place yesterday, when his
Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex was unanimously re-
elected President.
The members of the Society subsequently dined together
at the Crown and Anchor Tavern; his Royal Highness
the Duke of Sussex in the chair. There was also present
nearly 80 of the most distinguished ejentific and profes-
sional gentlemen of the metropolis, amongst whom we
noticed the President of the Royal Academy, Sir M. A.
Sher, Sir Robert Inglis, M.P., Sir D. Barry, Lord
Churchill, Davis Gilbert, Esq. (late President of the
Royal Society), Sir William Russell, Sir John Rennie,
Thomas Chantrey, E q., R.A., Dr. Sutherland Hudson
Gurney, E•q., Mr. Lubbock, George Rennie, Esq.,
Farraday, Esq., - Carlisle, Esq., of the Anti-
quarian Society, A. B. Lambert, Esq., &c. Shortly after
six o'clock the company sat down to an excellent dinner,
served in the best style, and the wines were of the first
quality.

Upon the removal of the cloth, his ROYAL HIGHNESS,
in proposing the health of his Majesty, stated that he had
that morning received a communication from the King,
in which his Majesty gave directions for the continuance of
the two annual Gold Medals as rewards to the Society, w hich
had been originally given by his late Majesty.—(Cheers.)
The King's health was then drunk with enthusiasm, as
likewise that of her Majesty and the rest of the Royal

Mr: LUBBOCK (the Treasurer) proposed the health of
his Royal highness the Duke of Sussex, their President.
He congratulated the Society on the unanimity which now
existed amongst its members, compared with the state of
things previously to his Floyd Highness becoming their
President. As one present at the Council, he (Mr.
Lubbock) could bear testimony to the deep interest which
his Royal Highness took in the prosperity of the So-
ciety, and the attention he paid to individuals' opinion in
every thing relating to the promotion of its welfare. Instead
of personal influence being at all exercised in the office of Pre.
sident, as regarded the decisions of the Council upon works
submitttd for their judgment, it was now regulated I y
appointed Committees of three or five persons, best able
to form an unbiassed opinion on the merits of such pro-
ductions. Charges had been brought against the Society
fur not giving sufficient encouragement to scientific pur-
suits, but those charges could not now be supported
against the President and Council, for they had to decide
on the opinions laid before them. The Society was one
of the oldest in this country, fur the encouragement of
science, and had tended to the promotion of ttnowledge
more than any other. Their Royal President, by the able
and judicious performance of his duties, had raised the
Society very much in public estimation, and he hoped the
Members would support those principles which his Royal
Highness had expressed that day. He concluded by pro_
posing the health of the Duke of Sussex, which was drunk
with enthusiasm.

His ROYAL HIGIINESS returned thanks for the flatter-
ing manner in which his health had been drunk. He
would repeat what he had said in the early part of the
thy—that the scientific character of the country was as-
sociated with the proceedings of this Society. He had
only in view the promotion and protection of this inva-
luable institution, and its rank in the eyes of other coun-
tries. He deprecated, in the strongest terms, all party
feeling in an institution devoted entirely to the promotion
of scientific knowledge, and wished to see prevail the best
feelings amongst a body of enlightened men so numerous,
but who ought at all times to form but one family. It
was by discussion only that they could arrive at the truth,
Ind he hoped always to see those discussions conduct, 1
with perfect good humour. Since he had had the honor&
,o preside, and during the last year in particular, t bet
had not at any one meeting passed an angry word, but the
Members bad invariably separated with the best feeling.
—(Cheers.) Their object was philosophical improve-
ment, and the life of man was too short to:waste titre :a
ill-tempered and angry discussions.— (Hear, hear, hear.)
Wishing good-will to all men himself, he hated
wrangling in others, and when he saw which
way the wind blew and a man disposed to cavil, he
always put upon another tack and got out of his way as
soon as possible.—(Cheers and laughter.) After notic-
ing the new regulation by which works were submitted to
Committees of the Society, as best qualified to duly exa-
mine them and pronounce on their merits, his Royal
Highness expressed the deep interest he took in the pro-
sperity of the Society, and which nothing would so much
tend to promote as perfect unanimity amongst its mem-
bers. His Royal Highness concluded by passing a high
eulogium on their treasurer, Mr. Lubbock. Nothing
could be so highly honourable to that gentleman as the
testimonials borne to his scientific acquirements by Pro-
fessor Airey, of Cambridge, whose letter he had seen in
the Papers that day. He was certain that the Professor
would not have so warmly expressed It is opinion without
health of their treasurer Mr. Luubaboriecsk;,,,whailcs
having felt assured of that gentleman having richly
Royal So-
merited the Professor's approbation. He proposed the
u'‘st hden Si no:
accordingly ; and Mr. Lubbock returned thanks, and ex,
pressed the high honour which be considered bad been
ciety for the Promotion of Arts, Manufactures, 4,0
epiaeiTtdyh,h,e_i him
So-
ciety"—to by t the :Ss ltoesct ;wee
treyrael,ol alluded eAid,rifottoiscipoefrProsperity
Professorto
th
e Airey.itoy
Commerce."

Upon " The Royal Academy.' being drank, Sir MAR-
TIN SHEE, P.R.A., in an eloquent address, returned
thanks, pointing out in a forcible manner the close associa-
tion which must ever exist between the arts and sciences.
" Prosperity to the British Museum"—" Geological,
Astronomical, and Zoological Societies,"—.were severally
drunk with suitable honours.
The healls of the late President, Davies Gilbert, Esq.,
and Mr. Farraday, of the Royal Institution, who bad that
day obtained the Copley medal, were then drank ; and
each gentleman returned thanks in an appropriate speech.
His Royal Highness retired shortly after 10 o'clocl7, and
was followed by mast of the gentlemen present,

SPIRIT OF TILE. PUBLIC JOURNALS. 11
•
,
A correspondent, signed " Silurian," appears
to take for granted that we are lovers of the
ballot for its own sake, as being, under all cir-
cumstances, preferable to open voting, even where
such voting is exposed to no unnatural oppres-
sion, and where every elector can declare, with-
out fear of consequences, his free and unbiassed
suffrage. This imputation is founded upon an
entire forgetfulness of our repeated sentiments
when alluding to the question of the ballot. We
have never recommended or countenanced such
a measure, save only as an evil comparatively
less intolerable than the absolute dependence of
a large portion of the constituency upon the will
of others, under whose control they find them-
selves. Our correspondent will surely acknow-
ledge that a servile elector is worse than no
elector at all, and that to derive any sensible ad-
vantage from a reform of the representative body,
a free constituency is the very first and
most necessary condition. As for the views
which are taken by our correspondent of the pro-
bable operation of pride and honour upon the
minds of electors, it is creditable, no doubt, to
himself that he should entertain such benignant
opinions of the ordinary race of men, but we
fear that they will not hold in practice. If the
laws and institutions of the country are so con-
trived as to give any class or classes of the King's
subjects real power over the interests and for-
tunes of men less affluent than themselves, it is
inconsistent with common sense to believe that
the power will not be abused, and the dependent
parties trampled on. That there might be dis-
covered methods of coercion, as well as of cor-
ruption, under the law of ballot, we by no means
deny ; but they would not be so easy of execu-
tion, or so generally successful, as they now are.
it has never been our wish to represent the ballot
as free from the objections fairly due to those
habits of disguise and insincerity which it would
have a tendency to encourage, arid which the
Conservative landlords, college Lords, and oli-
garchs of other descriptions, would do well to
avert from the country, by eschewing all perver-
sion of that adventitious power which accident
has vested in them over tenants, tradesmen, and
,dependents.—Times.

The assessed taxes have seen the best o
their days. We draw this inference not so
much from the spirit exhibited as from the facts
stated at the meeting yesterday, and from the
impression which those facts are calculated to
make upon any meeting. Whatever motive may
have prompted the undertaking in the first in-
stance—and the Treasury Journals are not very
charitable in those they suggest—it is evident
that a case has been made out against the as-
sessed taxes, both in respect of principle and
operation, which it is impossible they can long
survive. We confess that we do not see the
force of the objection taken by the Treasury
Journals to the projectors of this meeting, the
object of which they profess all the while to ap-
prove. We do not see the necessity—the
ground—the pretext for supposing that this
meeting was called, not to test the metro-
politan candidates—not to get rid of the
metropolitan tax, as Colonel Evans significantly
called it—but to embarrass the present Admi-
nistration. If the tax be bad—if it be unequal
and oppres,ive—and, above all, if it be odious—
are not these reasons, do they not supply
motives, sufficient to account for the calling of
the meeting, without obliging us to hark in with
the cry of those who denounce it as a political
manoeuvre intended to disturb the meditations of
Ministers, or the expectaions of those who
are looking up to them for what they can get ?
Really there is something quite ludicrous in this
over sensitiveness of the Treasury Journals.
But understrappers are always resentful. The
inflammation of party, like that of the
gout, is apt to settle in the lower extremities.
Were we to speculate on the cause in which the
meeting originated, we should be satisfied with
the one that lies directly before us, and that is
the strong feeling of indignation manifested
upon all hands against tne gross and scan-
dalous partiality of the assessment—a partiality
by which the poor man is sacrificed to the rich
in a way and to an extent that would be incredi-
ble, if it was not capable of the most distinct
proof. We perfectly agree with Mr. R. Taylor,
that there are taxes which press more heavily on
the working classes, and on productive industry,
than those against which the efforts of the meet-
ing were directed ; but they have not received
so strong an impulse from public indignation a,
the assessed taxes have received ; and, therefore,
they are less attended to at the present moment.
There is something also, no doubt, in the dispo-
sition of the middle classes to throw the burden
off their own shoulders, in the first instance, and
to make the relief of the labouring classes subor-
dinate to that which they demand for themselves
But still the great impulse is, as we stated before,
the indignation with which the public regard the
scandalous assessments that have been brought to
light. These assessments have sealed the fate of the
taxes ,t,o which they were appended—they have
produced, not what Lord Castlereagh called
"an ignorant ,impatience of taxation ;" but an
impatience fouufied on the knowledge of its
abuse, and the determination to correct that
abuse by the comprehensive process which ex-
tinguishes the subject along with At, We have
no doubt that the meeting will be followed
by many others of the same kind, and that an im-
mediate abolition of the taxes alluded to will be
the result. Whether the deficiency should be
met by a reduction of expenditure, or the substi-
tution of an income tax, is a question of einne im-
portance; but that the Government will have such
a deficiency to provide for, in some way or other,
is a fact to which they cannot too speedily make
up their minds. It is foolish to think of pre-
venting such meetings by the cry that they are
intended to embarrass Ministers. Why should
they embarrass Ministers ? Let Ministers re-
spect the opinion of the people expressed in such
meetings, and they will acquire strength and per-
nanence, not weakness, from the appeal.—
Morning Herald.

The resignation of the Belgian Ministry, and
the intention attributed to King Leopold of dis-
solving the Chambers, with a view to be relieved
from the eternal prating and senseless interroga-
tories of the Republican and Catholic Orators
during the important operations of the siege of
Antwerp, would place the French and English
under peculiar difficulties, if the operations
should not be brought to a speedy termination. But
it is, it seems, by no means certain that the King
will dissolve the Chambers, or that, without dis-
solving the Chambers, he will be obliged to part
with his Ministry. If the operations at Ant-
werp be concluded within the period which has
been assigned?and the citadel delivered up to the
Belgians, we trust the two belligerents will then
be allowed to waste their energies on each other,
if they cannot come to an agreement ; and that,
having done what we could to put Air) end to

hostilities-, we will withdraw from the scene.
The Government of Louis Philip has no
desire of extension of the territory, and we
suppose this is the belief of all other Go-
vernments. The majority which it has obtained
will quiet the apprehensions entertained with re-
gard to the permanence of the Ministry. Under
these circumstances, it is to be hoped that the
Powers will cease to attach the importance which
they once did to ',quarrels between Belgium and
Holland ; and that, at all events,we may be ena-
bled to withdraw from the business. From the
spirit displayed by the King of Holland, we
think it probable that the taking of Antwerp will
not put an end to hostilities between him and
Leopold ; but France, we presume, does not
conceive herself bound to guarantee the posses.
sion of Belgium to Leopold. It can only be by
the assistance of the Belgians themselves that
William can regain Belgium ; and we should
suppose that, after what has passed, the Belgians
will hardly wish to aid William in expelling
Leopold. But, be this as it may, the fear of
Belgium involving Europe in a general war being
now at an end, the sooner the parties are left to
themselves the better.—Morning Chronicle.
The solicitations of Count Funchal, aided by
the good offices of Prince Talleyrand, have not
succeeded in inducing Lord Palmerston to in-
terfere to put an end to the anarchy in Portugal.
The presence of the Marquis Palmella has no
doubt for object to press upon his Lordship the
importance of the success of Don Pedro to
British interests, as well as the interests of
Portugal. How far the firing upon the Raven
can be considered such an insult as would justify
extreme measures may be doubtful. It may be
- true that the firing did not cease at the proper
. time, but this is rather to be placed to account
t of the ignorance of the officers than to a delibe-
rate intention to insult the British flag ; the
affair is mixed up, too, with the misconduct of
Don Pedro's vessels. Of course it is one of those
affairs that cannot be altogether overlooked, espe-
cially as it is not a solitary instance ; but we ques-
tion whether alone it would be generally deemed a
sufficient justification of any measure of particular
severity against Miguel. In the meantime the
British merchants are great sufferers from the
occupation of Villa Nova and the blockade of
the Douro. -The number of vessels which have
been forced to return without discharging their
cargoes is very great, and the consequent loss to
our traders enormous, We cannot persuade
ourselves but that the Ministers might, if they
pleased, have either prevented matters from pro-
ceeding so far, or might have used their interest
more efficaciously on behalf of the claimants,
with whose interests our own are so much bound
up. Portugal can hardly be deemed a neutral
country in our case, on account of the treaties
which bind the two nations together, on the faith
of which so many establishments have been
formed. The sufferers will be exceedingly
clamorous, and we are not sure that they may
not have reason for complaining of the conduct
of the Government. From one extreme we
have passed to another. There was a time when
Portugal was almost governed by England, and
when we had more influence in it than in one of
our own colonies. We now, perhaps, look on
with too much unconcern.—MorningChronicle.

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, Nov. 30.

DOE, PEW. SMITH, V. EGERTON.

This was an action of ejectment, brought by the
lessor of the plaintiff, as heir at law of the late Mr.
Richard Smith, of Guildford-street, against the de-
fendant, as tenant of certain premises, to which Mr.
Cally claimed under Mr. Smith's will, but which
viii, it was contended on the part of the lessor of
-he plaintiff, had been executed by the testator
when he was of unsound mind.

Mr. Smith, the testator, was formerly clerk to
the late Lord Ellenborough, and also held the dif-
'erent offices of clerk of the bail, clerk of the errors,
wid comptroller, or receiver of the judges' fees. In
hese different situations he realized considerable
property, part of which he invested in landed estate,
part in the funds, and part be lent on private securi-
ries. About 2J years ago, he took Mr. Cally, who
was second cousin to his wife, into his employment
is clerk, and subsequently contracted a great friend-
ship for him. In 1829, Mrs. Smith, the testator's
wife, died; leaving no children ; and her death was
a source of great affliction to her husband. Mrs.
Deal, aunt to Mr. Cally, attended her in her last
illness, and afterwards remained at Mr. Smith's
house to superintend his domestic affairs. From
that time forwards Mr. Smith appeared to be in a
very low, dejected state of mind, and saw very few
friends at his house, except Mr. and Mrs. Lally.
Not long afterwards hp applied to the present
Lord Ellenborough, in whose gift, as chief clerk
of the Court of King's Bench, is the ap-
pointment of clerk of the bail, to accept his resig-
nation of that office in favour of Mr. Cally ; to which
application his Lordship acceded, and accordingly
Cally was appointed to his office. In Match, 1831,
Mr. Smith executed his last will and testament, by
which, after bequeathing various small annuities,
charged on 1701. Long Annuities, to different mem-
bers of his family, and making some other be-
quests, be devised the bulk of his property to Mr.
Cally. In about a fortnight or three weeks after-
wards he transferred the 1701. Long Annuities out
of his own name into the joint names of himself
and Mr. Cally, and in a short time subsequently, he
had them again transferred into the sole name of
Mr. Cally. He afterwards made a codicil to his
will, whereby he removed one of the executors, on
account of the dissatisfaction he felt, or imagined he
I felt, with that gentleman's conduct, in respect of
certain money transactions between them. Mr.
Smith continued to attend to his business for a few
months longer, when his depression of spirits con-
tinning, and he thinking he had reason to complain
of pecuniary losses, and also of harsh treatment in
a report made concerning the offices he held in the
Court of King's Bench, to the common-law com-
missioners, he put a period to his existence by blow-
ing out his brains with a horse-pistol, which he
brought horne and secreted for that purpose. A
Coroner's Inquest, having sat on the body, returned
a verdict of temporary insanity. His relations, of
whom he had many in an humble walk of life in the
country, objected to Mr. Cally's taking possession of
the property under the will, which they contended
was voitl, on the ground that the testator was in-
sane when hp executed it; and to try that question
the present action v./ea brought by the lessor of the
plaintiff, Sophia Smith, niece and heir-at-law of the
testator.
The evidence on both sides having been laid be-
fore the Jury, and powerful speeches addressed to
them by Mr. Sergeant WILDE and Mr. Sergeant
SPANKIE,
'1 he LORD CHIEF JUSTICE summed up, and in-
formed the Jury that they were to look at the testator's
general conduct at the period in question, and draw
their conclusion, as to his sanity or otherwise, from
that.
The Jury returned a verdict for the defendant,
thereby upholding the testator's sanity of mind at
the period when he executed the will.

The motto to the Duke of YonK's bronze
statue is neat and Attic, " fEs Alienum."

Sir T. B. LETHBRIDGE, Bart., in a letter to
the nobility, gentry, clergy, and other inhabitants of our
county, expresses his opinion of the xr!cestity oF an " ex-
tensive and deep-searching corrective of Me a'neses in the
Chotcb,-...Taunton Courier.

PREROGATIVE COURT, Nov. 30.

IN THE GOODS OF JAMES MOLLOY.

This was a singular case. James Molloy and
David Tumen, two itinerant hucksters from the
sister island, who carried on their concerns jointly,
though not partners, signed a written engagement
that the survivor should have the other's property.
In August, 1831, Molloy set out from the vicinity
of Hertford, with a letter from Tumen, to London.
The letter was not delivered, and nothing was heard
of the bearer till his body was discovered in a state
of putresence in a wood, and could only be identi
fied by means of his clothes. The engagement was
now propounded as a mutual will.
Sir JOHN NrcitoLL considered it not to be the
duty of the Court to delay any longer granting pro-
bate of the paper as a mutual will.