The Sun.
London, England, 1850-05-16 00:00:00

eUe ):' IMg ZAtz

LONDON, THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1850.

After a tedious delay, produced by a most unfair
and unwarrantable abuse of the privileges of Parlia-
ment, the Marriages Affinity Act is again about to be
brought under the consideration of the House of
Commons. We trust that its opponents may on the
present occasion have some regard to decency, and
that the country may not again be called upon to
witness the strange spectacle of a perverse and

factious minority obstructing the progress of public
opinion, and frustrating the wishes of a
large and: decisive majority of their fellow• Legi-
slators. Cases may possibly arise where the power
of moving the adjourpment of the debate may be
useful. It may prevent a matter of deep importance
from being disposed of without due consideration.
But such a course cannot often be resorted to with
impunity, and if it be tried a second time on the
same question some decisive step must and will be
taken to remove the impediment. If a system so
unfair and so unworthy be resorted to, it is within
the power of any two or three Members to pledge
themselves to prevent the progress of any business,
public or private, until the subject in which they
feel interested be fully discussed and fairly de-
cided on its real merits. In ordinary cases, such
a course might seem in some degree objectionable,
but under the peculiar circumstances of Mr. STUART
WORTLEY'S Bill, and the fierce and unrelenting hos-
tility to which that just and salutary measure has
been subjected, it would be not merely justifiable, but
imperatively called for, and the parties by whom it
was adopted would be sustained by the voice of
public opinion, as well within as outside the walls of
Parliament.
We have felt'it our duty to throw out this hint,
and also to impress upon the friends of civil and re-
ligious liberty to attend in their places this evening.
Long since we stated that the Fabian po-
licy, which was, unfortunately, but too suc-
cessful last year, would again be resorted
to, that every advantage would be taken
which the forms of the House allowed, or circum-
stances permitted. The prOceedings up to the pre-
sent moment prove that the assumption was fully
borne out. Already have ten weeks been consumed
since the introduction of the Bill, and the House has
not yet gone into Committee thereon. The same
system of vexatious procrastination will still be
adopted if its supporters be not true to themselves
and to their constituents, and determined to prevent
the success of such unworthy manoeuvres.
A morning contemporary, which has take a promi-
nent part against the Bill, seems surprised
that the question has been connected with that of
" religious liberty ;" that " the sacred rights of con-
science enjoyed by the people of this country are
thought to be attacked when the provisions of the

measure are blamed and its adoption resisted." Such
is indeed the case, and we rejoice at the fact that has
thus been admitted. What more sacred right can be
attacked than that of choosing a consort, one that is
indeed to be a partner and helpmate in all the rela-
tions of life—in prosperity or adversity, in health
or sickness, through good report or through bad
report, whose interests will indeed be one and
indivisible ? But this great privilege is to be
relinquished by those who owe no allegiance,
who are not members of the Church of England as
by law established, because a certain class of
marriages are asserted to be contrary to one of the
canons of that Church. The canon has already been
set aside by the authority of Parliament, when it
was enacted, in 1835, that all such marriages that had

been previously celebrated should thenceforth be

valid and binding on the parties. If there be any
scriptural law, any physical objections to such con-
nexions, they must apply equally to those celebrated
before as well as after the passing of the sth and 6th
Wm. IV., c. 54. But the former are good to all intents
and purposes, while the latter are declared null
and void, and the innocent offspring branded with
the stamp of illegitimacy, and perhaps deprived of the
inheritance of their ance,tors.

Before the Reformatio❑ there were many prohibi-
tions against marriages. It was forbidden in the
Roman Catholic Church with cousins as well as with

sisters-in-law; but in both instances dispensations
were easily obtained. With the power of dispensa-
tion the Reformation swept away the one restriction,
hut that with sisters-in-law was retained, in order to
gratify the lust of a sanguinary tyrant, who could not
venture to consign his first wife to the hands of the
public executioner, as he did some of her successors;
and it was subsequently retained by a time,serving
archbishop to conciliate the Sovereign under whom
he served, and whose legitimacy depended on the
point. And this is, in fact, the foundation of the so-
called canon, to which not only the members of the
Church of England, and all persons, without distinc-
tion of creed, are called upon to yield implicit obe-
dience. Well may Dissenters object to have their
liberty of conscience restrained, and their right of
interpreting for themselves the Holy Scriptures inter-
fered with for such a cause.

It is true that the great majority of the opponents
of the measure have now abandoned the scriptural ar-
gument, that was formerly so strongly relied upon,
es utterly untenable. The 18th Leviticus, v. 18, is
no longer triumphantly quoted. In fact it is so
manifest that the prohibition was only of a limited
character, continuing during the lifetime of the first
wife, and intended to prevent, at a period when
polygamy was recognised, the inconvenience of such
unions as the Patriarch formed with LEAH and
RACHEL. "Neither shalt thou take a wife to her
sister, to vex her, * * * besides the other in her
lifetime." What is the object of the prohibitio n ?
Not from any physical or natural obstacles, but
simply fur the sake of the former wife,
to prevent her from being vexed at be-
holding a rival in her sister; and for what
time is the rule to prevail ? Cessat ratio
cessat lex—for the life 'of the first wife only, because
after her death she can no longer be vexed ; and there-
fore there is the addition of " besides the other in
her lifetime." We cannot, indeed, conceive how any
person could use such an argument, which is, in fact,
conclusive
regarded as
nclusive on the other side ; for it may, in fact, be
stha
eclwe
ep,ser permission
theto contractprobibi
prohibition
h being
slietim
mar-
riage, after
expresslyy
limited
Here, then, i theto her
authority f lifetime.
the DEITY despised
and overruled by his creatures. The CREATOR
may b
declares that such marriages e
---man forbids
them, and takes upon himself to
sever
GoD hath joined together; which is
those whom
to
Well may the conscientious Dissenterelbelaitn
obeyed
?
, with
St. PAtIL, "Ye have set the word of Gon at
nought
with your traditions," and refuse obedience
to such
a rule.

that the friends of civil and religious 'freedom should
not through any neglect or apathy on their part
permit any further procrastination of the measure—
we say procrastination, for that is the worst that can
happen ; it is beyond human power to prevent its
ultimate success.

Public dinners were yesterday the order of the day.
Her MAJESTY'S birthday was celebrated at many a
festive board, surrounded by the noble and distin-
guished of the land, and good wishes for her health
and happiness were proffered with no less enthusiasm
by the humbler classes of her loyal people. Queen
VICTORIA'S popularity is something more than
nominal, and justly so, for her claims to the regard
of Englishmen are of a higher character than
can be conferred by the possession of the
sceptre and crown. In the middle of
the nineteenth century, such adornments are compa-
ratively valueless, their intrinsic glory is departed.
The " king's name" is no longer " a tower of
strength," unless it be accompanied by right royal
characteristics—unless the sovereign gives continually
practical proof of his conviction that the throne is
not elevated so high for the purpose of exalting the
individual, but in order to enable him the bet-
ter to perceive and administer to the wants
of the whole community. Our Constitution
is at the present moment so happily carried
out, that while it allows no opportunity for the
evil influence of an unworthy monarch—the rights
and the privileges of the people being so entirely
guaranteed by the power of the Parliament, and
the force of , public opinion—at the same
time it gives free scope for the exercise
of all personal virtue and royal influence
for good on the part of a virtuous and liberally-
minded Sovereign, of which fact we have now a
daily. manifestation. It is happy for herself and her
people that it has fallen to VICTORIA'S lot to rule
England in the nineteenth century. Most accurately
has her MAJESTY recognised her position, and most
happily have her personal qualities enabled her to
respond to the requirements of the age. In co-ope-
rating with every work of mercy, in patronising the
' sciences and arts, in encouraging with assiduity and
enthusiasm whatever tends to promote the popular
industry, and cement the brotherhood of nations, in
these and innumerable similar good works the QUEEN
has apparently only followed the spontaneous
impulses of her heart. As such, her actions,
welcome in themselves, have been rendered doubly
gratifying to the people. So it is that the birthday
of the QUEEN has been loyally celebrated by the sup-
porters of Democracy. They who have exulted over
the downfal of ancient thrones, and felt but little
commiseration for the dispersion of the royal family
of France—they who feel little awe at the sight of
the gorgeous regalia, are yet proud to bow the head
in reverence to Queen VICTORIA, because they recog-
nize in her something more than a crowned monarch.
They honour her as being in her high place the
friend of the people, and the zealous labourer
in the great cause of popular regeneration. From
this cause the festivities of yesterday may
be regarded with more interest than is usually
excited by the recurrence of commanded rejoicings.
In addition to the festivities in honour of the
day, a banituet was given, under the presi-
dentship of 11Iajor EDWARDES, in behalf of
the proposed erection of a larger hospital
for King's College. The report of these proceedings
will be found in another column, and they will
be read with peculiar pleasure from the fact
of the Gallant Major, who was the subject of such
cordial greeting at the festival, having been formerly
a student of King's College, and having there, to
quote his own words, acquired the "principal portion
of that education to which he owed his success in life,
for," added the successful soldier, " Minerva is the
real goddess of valour, and Knowledge is the tren-
chant blade which she puts into the hand of the tyro
with which he may go forth and conquer."

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

We have received the Paris journals of yesterday.
The semi-official ConstiMtionnel has the following
on the subject of Greece :
" A report has been again in circulation that our Am-
bassador at London had been recalled, in constqueoce
of the aff.iir of Greece. We can affirm that this rumour
is not correct. There is every reason to believe that the
English Cabinet will yield to the just demand of France.
What, in fact, is the point in question ? We have al-
ready said that two negotiations bad been followed up
simultaneously with regard to the Anglo-Greek diffe-
rences, the one at Athens and the other in London.

That at Athens did not lead to a convention accepted
by the parties; conditions were imposed by farce on the
Hellenic Government. On the contrary, the negotia-
tions at London led to a treaty, which was to receive its
execution if, before it was notified at Athens, another
one had not been concluded on the spot. What has been
dune at Athens, we once more repeat, is not a treaty.
The French Government, therefore, demands that the
treaty of London shall alone be executed. This conclu-
sion, which is so equiiable, cannot but be accepted by
the Foreign-office. It is only in the very improbable
case of a refusal that any complication can arise."
The followirnz letter appears in the Presse, the
Siecle, and the National.
" TO THE EDITOR far THE PRESSE.

"Paris, May 14, 1850.
" Monsieur et Cher Confrere,—An unheard-of circum-
stance has just occurred in our printing-office.
" By a decree of M. Baroche, dated this day, the brevet
of M. Boule, printer of the Republique, of the Voix du
People, and of the Estafette, hay been withdrawn.
"At hall-past seven o'clock this evening, at the
moment when these three journals were set up, a police-
officer entered our printing office and put seals upon our
presses.
" The Republique, the Voix du Peuple, and the Esta-
fette cannot appear to-morrow.
"It is thus that the Government gives us compensa-
tion for the damage done to our presses on the 13th
June, 1849.

" We leave it to public opinion to designate the mea-
sure which has just been taken with regard to us.
" Accept, &c.
" EUGENE BARESTE,
Redacteur en Chef de la Republique.
LAXGRAND,
Gerant de la Voix du Peuple.
" A. DustoNT,
Gerant de CEA/fate."
The Prcsse says comment is unnecessary. The
fact speaks for itself.
The Government has also dismissed all the func-
tionaries who have signed any petitions against the
Electoral Bill. On this subject the Patric contains
the following semi-official announcement :
" We are assured (says that paper) that by a decree
of the President of the Republic, decided upon this day
in a Council ot Minister:, M. Ernest Desmarest, de-
puty mayor of the third arrondissement of Paris, and
M.llardouin, deputy mayor of the ninth arrondissement,
have been dismissed from their functions, for having
signed the petition of the Amis de la Constitution against
the Bill for the revision of the Electoral Law, and which
petition was published this morning by all the journals
of the opposition. It is added that the officers of the
National Uuard who have signed the petition have been
suspended from their functions."
There is no authentic intelligence from the Soane-
et-Loire, from which we gather that General CASTEL.
LANE has not found it so easy as he had anticipated to
put down the insurrection. It is generally believed
that the Government has received unfavourable news
which it suppresses, as the accounts in the semi-
official journals are in direct contradiction to each
other. The semi•official Aloniteur du Soir says :
" The alarming reports which are spread about the
department of the Saone-et-Loire are without the least
foundation. The attempts made at disturbance by a
few hundred workmen ot the Creuzot—attempta which
are besides utterly unconnected with polities have been
properly repressed. The general commanding the 6thmilitary division has adopted all the measures com-
manded by prudence, and public tranquillity cannot be
disturbed on any point.
two tele-
graphic mstiartensin—g
other from the Prefect of the Soane-et-Loire. Neither
graTphhiecedgiusapialtyches, one from General Castellsne, the
" The Governameemnit-°rffieccejaiviePdatitrise
the general nor the prefect bad yet arrived ca the spot.
The troops were being concentrated for the purpose of
enveloping the seditious. The Government has the cer-
titude that the movement of the Creozot is Connected
with the general plan. The met d'ordre from Paris
had merely been misunderstood, and the moment fixed
had been anticipated."
While the Conititutionnel, the:recognised organ of
the Government, publishes the following in a post-
script :

feelings u n t e n e .
The argument from " social inexpele d,i
eney"—that
which is riOw chiefly relied on,
is no s abl
'Why should it be presumed that a man';
wards his uiie's sister should be different frornthoto;
towards other women ? Cousins or other relatives, or
even perfect strangers, with whom marriages might
be contracted, may dwell in the household, or render
their services around the sick bed, without exciting
jealousy or suspicion. These unions are not for-
bidden in America or...in the i'rotestaut States of
Europe, and yet we find that there is the most un-
restrained and happy intercourse between such par-
ties, and that the evils which enter into the disturbed
imaginations of its opponents, as being the inevitable
consequences of the Bill, have no real existence.
.But why should we repeat the arguments we have
already put forward? The voice of public opinion has
been heard and well responded to within the walls of
rtirlianacnt,
Wo have only to repeat our =OA J

"More recent accounts, just communicated to us, say,
that no change has taken place in the situation. The
strike still continues, but the workmen do not commit nay
act of hostility. Precauttons had been taken to prr-
serve order."
It was reported in Paris that the insurgents (who
had been joined in many instances by the troops)
had gained possession of the town of Autun, and had
refused to capitulate on the summons of General
CASTELLANE, who had retreated, not being in suffi-
cient force to attack them. General CHANGARNIEE has
sent off two of his own regiments to reinforce General
CASTELLA.NE. Disturbances hare likewise broken out
in the Department of the Arriege and in that of the
Pyrenees Orienteles. It is said that negotiations
have been nearly concluded for a reconciliation be-
tween the two branches of the House of Bourbon,
with a view to I restoration, and that the conspiracy

of the Royalists, which has been concocted in Eng-
land and Belgium, is nearly ripe for execution. Ids
paid that certain proposals have been made to the
PRESIDENT to play the part of Monk, proposals which
we have no doubt, he indignantly rejected. We re-
member to have heard from the Absolutist
partisans in this country denunciations upon
denunciations against those who " abused
the hospitality afforded to them as exiles,
to plot against the Governments of countries in al-
liance with Great Britain." We remember the
Grahamizing of the letters of MAzziNr, and the fate
of the unfortunate BANDEIEOS consequent thereupon ;
and we ask, whether it is not just as great an abuse
of hospitality for Royalists to conspire in this coun-
try to disturb a Republic as it is for Republicans to
conspire to disturb a Monarchy, and if not, why not ?
M. LEON FAUCHER has been appointed reporter of
the Committee on the Electoral Law. The report
was to be presented to the Assembly, on Thursday
(this day.)
The director of the Voix du Peuple was sentenced
on Tuesday by the Court of Assize of the Seine to
one year's imprisonment and 5,0001. fine for a sedi-
tious article inserted on the 6th April, and again to
one year's imprisonment and 4,000 f. fine for a sedi-
tious article published on the Bth inst.

A letter from Toulon of the 12th inst. announces
the arrival of the Salamander, with dispatches from
Admiral PARSEVAL DESCHENES, commander-in
chief of the French fleet in the Mediterranean.
The French fleet was at Naples on the 6th. It
was reported at Naples that the British fleet was
about to approach the coast of Italy, the British
Government having some accounts to settle' with the
King of NAPLES and the Grand Duke of TUSCANY.
PARIS BOURSE, MAY 15.—Latest prices.—Five
per Cents., 88f. 40c.; Three per Cents., 54f. 70c. ;
Bank of France, 2,075.
BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON SFOCK-EXCHANGE, MAY 15.
Namur
Strasbourg,urand
6K—Northern of France, 12%—Paris
an
Sambre and, Meuse, 2%.
a

SPAIN.

Madrid journals of the 10th have arrived.

A concordat is on the point of 'being signed with
Rome, by which the sales of.the Church property by
the nation will be reognised.
A miraculous girdle, which had been worn by the
VIRGIN, and which is one of the precious relics of the
Cathedral of Tortosa, has been sent up to Madrid,
to be placed near her MAJESTY in her approaching
'accouchement• It is for the present deposited on the
altar of the Chapel Royal. This story of the mira-
culous girdle we should have considered intended as
a hoax, had it not appeared as a solemn and serious an-
nouncement in the Paris Patrie, one of the organs of
the parti-pretre.
MADRID BOLSA, MAY 10.—The Three per Cents.
were steady at 311; the Fives at 12/.

MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS.

CITY, TW 0 O'CLOCK.

The sales of Cotton at Liverpool, yesterday, were
estimated at from 7,000 to 8,000 bales, of which 1,000
American and 1,000 ]?ernam and Maranham were taken
for export, and 5,000 American, 500 Pernam and Ma
ranham, and 500 Surat on speculation. The market
closed firmly. The sales comprised 1,000 Pernam and
Maranham at 7d. to 71d.. 400 Bahia at 711., 500 Egyptian
at 74d. to Bid., 1.000 Surat at 44d. to sid., and the re-
mainder American.—Railway Shares were steady.
The six weeks' average price of wheat is declared at
375. ld. per quarter.
The following notice is copied from a Toronto
paper:—
We are happy to learn that the Bill now passing (if
not already passed) through the New Brunswick Legis-
lature will perfect the preliminary conditions for the
transference of the Colonial Post-office department from
the Imperial Government to the several provincial
authorities. The Bill will be sent home with all
speed, and the necessary arrangements for the trans-
ference completed with"ut delay. It is absolutely
necessary that this should be done on one of the
quarterly days on which the accounts are made up. It
is feared that it will not be possible to have any ar-
rangement effected by the sth July; but on the sth
October, undoubtedly, the transference will be com-
pleted, and threepenny postage the law of Canada."
Accounts of Tuesday from Amsterdam state the home
fends were not quite so firm. Business was very limited.
Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents. 55 11-16. Spanish
and Portuguese Bonds were rather weaker. Peruvian
were in demand. At Frankfort, on the 13th inst.,
Austrian Bonds were 77.

The substance of the news from Mexico, which Mr,
Robertson has received, is as follows:

The Committee of Finance presented, on the 6th of
April, a projet de loi for the arrangement of the debt,
based on the following terms:-
Ist. The Five per Cent. Stock to be converted into a
Three per Cent. Stock, instead of a Three-and-a-Half,
as agreed by Mr. Robertson.
2d. On the acceptance of the New Stock by the bond-
holders, orders to be given forthwith on the executive of
the United States for 2 millions of the indemnity
money due in 1851, 4f millions due in 1852, being 3i
millions on account of the overdue dividend.

3d. Over and above this, all sums already received
and to be received up to the 30th June, estimated in
Mexico at 2,700,000 dollars, to be applied to the divi-
dends from the Ist January, 1847, to 30th June, 1850.
4th. The appropriations of revenue conceded to the
bondholders on the import duties of Vera Cruz and
Tampico, amounting to 20 per cent., are to be raised to
30 per cent., and to be extended to all the custom-houses
of the republic.
sth. A sinking fund of 250,000 dolls. annually to be
provided by Mexico, but not to come into operation for
six years.

This projet de loi is supported by the whole Finance
Committee, and having been read a first time in the
Chamber of Deputies on the 6th, was referred to the
extraordinary sitting of the let of May as the exclusive
object of their deliberation.

Such an important, and upon the whole highly favour-
able settlement, for the arrangement seems sure to pass
the Congress, has given the highest satisfaction here,
and will doubtless be accepted by the bondholders, with
the proviso, that at any future time, should the
dividends fall into arrear, their original rights should
be restored. Senor Mora, the Minister here, deserves
great credit for having sent out a special agent to urge
upon his Government the necessity of a settlement, and
it is gratifying to hear that General Arista will, in all
probability, be quietly elected President next year.
The English Funds opened very firmly, but have re-
ceded a trifle since, in consequence of the arrival of the
second mail from Paris with letters which advert still
to the uneasy state of affairs there. Nevertheless,
the Bulls here deny that our market should be
influenced by the circumstance. Consols have realised
96* to for Transfer, and 96* to * for Account. The
New Three-and- a-Quarter per Cents. have been 97* to
i; and the Three per Cents. 951 to *. Exchequer-bills
have been quoted 68s. to 71s; and India Bonds 88s. to
91s. premium. Consols now are 96* 1.
The Foreign Market is extremely buoyant again for
Spanish American investments. Mexican Bonds have
been quuted 30k 4, and since 31* to 1, owing to the in-
formation above given, which is the substance
of various letters published in detail in the Times
of to-day. Peruvian Active Stock has touched 77 and
78, and the Deferred 341 and 35. Equador has been at
3i. Brazil Bonds have been marked 88. Spanish Five
per Cents. have been 17k I and Portuguese Four per
Cents. 331 to 34. Dutch Four per Cents. are 85} 4.
The Railway Share Market bas been very steady, in
the absence of much activity. North-Western have been
at about previous quotations. Great Northern, North
Stafford, and Scottish Central are better. Great Western
firm, and York and North Midland scarcely so good.
The French lines are much the same.

The last week's railway receipts, ascertained up to this
day, are in round figures as under :

1850.
North-Western
South-Western
Midland 21,271
South-Eastern
Caledonians
North Staffords.

1849
40,181
9,448
20,607
7,940
4,961

THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 16, 1850.

LLOYD'S SHIPPING.—(THIS DAY.)
LOND7N, MAY 16.—Wind a-, noon N.N.W., moderate
bre. ze, and fine dry weather.
WARRENPOINT.—SId. New Zealand, Quebec; Sarah
Parker, New York.
STRANRAER, MAY 15.—The ilinsla of Glasgow, hound
to Detnerara, went on shore at Isl.,rth Cairn, 12th inst.,
and remains, with about eight to ten feet water around
her at low water; crew saved.

, - -
DEAL, MAY 15.—Wind N. to N.N.E.—Arrd. from the
River and ald. Bermicea, Adelaide, South Australia;
Maid of Auckland, Druid, Callao; Rhoda, Mogadore;
Gleaner. Sld. Eleanor, Barbadoes ; Caroline, Jamaica.
LIVERPOOL, MAY 15.—Wind N.N. W.—Arrd. Martha
Shallcross, Crocker, Buenos Ayres. Sld. James Scott,
Shanghae; Pedlar, Hong-Kong; Magdelene, Moulmein;
Aramanta, Bombay; Mary Winch, Valparaiso; Britan-
nia, Brazils; Wanderer, Grenada; Thetis, Belize; Ore-
gon, New York; ()axon, ditto; Princess Alice, ditto;
Schoodiac, ditto; Columbus, ditto; Aberdeen, ditto;
Penguin, Staten Island; Venture, Boston; Adelphi,
M.n.real; Bets, Nevifuundland.

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