The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-29 00:00:00

point to which we hope and believe Great Britain
will never proceed, nor even, directly or indi-
rectly, give the slightest reason for supposing that
she will alter her views respecting this interesting
topic It is true, that the act of 1845 is virtually
suspended, and that for all practical purposes it
remains "a dead letter," and will be, so long as
the Brazilian Government fully and fairly dis-
charges the duties it assumed under the Treaty of
1826. But it still reihains an effectual instrument
ready for use on any emergency, and available
at
any moment when the Government of Dom PEDRO
may endeavour to evade the performance of its
solemn obligations. It was only by a reference
to that act, and by the determination of Great
Britain to bring its provisions into action, that
the Brazilian Legislature was induced to co-operate
with the Brazilian Government, by passing laws
that promised to be effectual. Why then should
We unnecessarily get rid of that convincing per-
suader ? Why hold out the slightest induce- '
tnent to slave dealers' to try experiments as to
Whether the trade can again be made so profitable
that the unholy gains would allow of a sufficient '
assurance against the risk!
It is also true that we have not proceeded as
zealously as we might have done, either against
Cuba or the United States, and that the suffer-
ings of the miserable victims may in some instances
be aggravated by our well-meant but inadequate
efforts for its total suppression. But are we on
that account to relax or surrender a single
security already obtained ? Par from it. We
should still record our earnest and indignant pro-
test, even if we could do no more, against the
flagrant iniquity—should show that every Eng-
lish hand and English heart will continue the
struggle to the very last—that there shall not be
any compromise as to our powers, or mistake as
to our intentions.

As Lord PALMERSTON truly remarked, " the
slave trade is not altogether extinguished in the
hearts of these Brazilians." There are many still
living who have been actively engaged therein,
and who have realised large fortunes therefrom,
Who only yearn for an eligible opportunity to
engage again in their' favourite pursuits. These
Men might have influence sufficient indirectly to
change the sentiments, or, at all events, to paralyse
the action of the Executive. By retaining the
act of 1845, and permitting it to remain-in abey-
ance, we strengthen their hands, if well disposed,
and have an adequate guarantee against any ter-
giversation or even lukewarmness on their part.
It is a point on which we cannot afford to surren-
der a single inch of ground. And, there-
fore, we hail with unmitigated satis-
faction the very decisive demonstration
Made by the Government and the Legislature in
rejecting the appeal by a majority so overwhelming
and so conclusive. The act itself may have, nay
more has, no practical effect, but its repeal at the
Present moment, or even an inquiry that might
illduce parties to suppose that it would be repealed,
would be productive of very injurious results.
Let Mr. ROEBUCK ask for a committee to inquire
bow the slave trade may be more efficiently re-
Pressed, and we venture to say it will be received
a very different manner—that there will not be
a Majority of 18 to 1 against his motion.

The Bishop of OXFORD being unable to throw
out, is doing his very utmost to impair the effici-
each of the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes
11. The clause he last night proposed, would,
If carried, have bad a very invidious operation.
It was, as the Lord Chief Justice truly remarked,
`cf a most alarming character." If what the
Right Reverend Prelate termed " conscientious
Scruples" were allowed to prevail in one case, in
opposition to the law "of the land, they should be
respected in all others. Let the Bishop declare
that no persons who conscientiously objected to
pay church rates or tithes, should be bound by
the strict letter of the law, and we shall gladly
agree to his proposition. But others have "souls
to be saved" as well as cleriiymen of the Estab-
lishment, and the same principle should be
acted on in every case, In fact, the office
of the officiating Priest is purely ministerial,
and if he obeys the law he has no right to in-
quire further, or to seize on an opportunity of
111 sul ting others, under the collar of private
eeruples not recognised by the Church of which
he is a minister. On a division the " soapy"
)revise was rejected by a majority of 3 to 1, the
numbers being—contents 26, non-contents 78.

There is at least reason to hope that the de-
grading action for trim. con. will be altogether
abolished, and that the act of adultery will he
rendered a criminal offence. After considerable
discussion, it was, on the suggestion of Lord
1)It88Y, decided that it should not be competent
for any person to bring an action for damages for
that offence, but that whoever committed adol-
tell with a married woman should be guilty of a
Misdemeanour, which would, of course, subject
the offender to imprisonment or fine, or both,
ac-
cording to the discretion of the• presiding judge.
1\79 congratulate the country on the prospect
of having the degrading and demoralising pro-
needing altogether abolished. It never should
bade been a subject for pecuniary compensation.
-1t Was doubly injurious ; it gave a character to
the infampus transaction, even worse than it
Xatilit possess under other circumstances. The
jejured husband seemed to be receiving " the
Wages of sin ;" to be actuated, not by a sense of
honour, but of cupidity. And cases might arise,
aye more, and have arisen, in which it has been
more than suspected that he connived at his own
shame for the sake of ultimate gain. The neces-
sity for obtaining a verdict and substantial
damages, before a dissolution of the marriage, being
removed, the only excuse for the proceeding is
taken away. " Cessat ratio, cessat lex" is a sound
Principle ; the reason has ceased, the law should
to longer be tolerated. We earnestly hope, then,
tbat Lord DERBY'S judicious suggestion may be
acted on, and that henceforward and for ever the
offence may be regarded as one to be dealt with
11 criminal, not civil proceedings.— The Bill has
11"ir passed through committee, and been reported,
and We trust that it may speedily be brought into
the Lower House, and receive the Legislative
Ilaoction even before the termination of the pre-
sent Session.

Your Deputation is the pest, the horror, the
abomination of your Administrator. There is,
13614baPs, no other infliction in respect to his posi-
,ci", that a Cabinet Minister holds in such whole-
Elfte abhorrence. We can fancy Secretaries of
State looking upon the advent of any fresh De-
Putation with somewhat the same kind of agree-
able sensation as that inspired by the " Bore"
to the susceptible minds of our three dear ftiencht
`Messrs. BROWN, JONES, and ROBINSON. And
'Lift We all of us very well remember how they
Were affected by the approach of that inexor-
able monster ! Gat, we, all of us, see them
this moment, vividly in our recollection,
`4llLabfoundered on board the Rhine Steam-boat,
Or Peeping in terror round the corner of the
Cologne 6, Tobacconist's? And precisely as the
A 13`)re" was to thew—are Deputations to our
444rainistrators. Walking pests, talking horrors,