The Sun.
London, England, 1850-07-02 00:00:00

though they are, these Select Committees are, at
times, necessary nuisances : without saying it simply
for the sake of the pun, we may, with perfect truth,
remark, that by resorting to this method of com-
mitting obnoxious measures, our legislators are fre-
quently spared the necessity of most egregiously
committing themselves. Precisely such has been
the case in the present instance. By adopting the
amendment of Sir R. H. INGLIS, the House of Com-
mons was saved the disgrace of thoughtlessly squan-
dering a large amount of public money upon a
most extravagant undertaking. For it can scarcely
be forgotten by the majority of our readers (after
our very detailed exposure of the evils certain to re-
sult from this preposterous scheme) how mistaken and
ruinous would be the consequences likely to result from
the plan submitted to the acceptance of Parliament.
Looking at the hideous and dilapidated bridge
now spanning the Thames between Lambeth and
Westminster, it is really melancholy to reflect upon
the fact that no less than 70,0001. sterling
have been squandered upon it in the mere labour of
reparation : 70,0001., and the structure is still not
only a grievous eyesore in the very heart of our me•
tropolis, but is likewise in a condition that threatens
to be most dangerous as a line of traffic and inter-
communication. Knowing this notorious circum-
stance, knowing that so many thousands have been
ineffectually wasted in patching up an uncomely pile
of masonry built up upon rotten foundations,
it is indeed marvellous to find a proposition
seriously submitted to the Legislature for the
erection of a temporary bridge, costing altogether an
enormous sum, considering that it is simply tempo-
rary—and that with a view to the careful recon-
struction of another and a permanent bridge upon the
site which has so long proved unsafe and ricketty.
The scheme altogether is without even that specious
reason about it which somewhat relieves of its absur-
dity the recommendation of the lubber in a sea-
fight to thrust his head through the hole
made by the first shot, under the con-
viction that there are a million chances to
one that a second will not pass through the same ori-
fice. It seems really as though the rottenness of the
bed of the river at this particular spot had endeared
the present site of Westminster-bridge to some of the
Members cf the Legislature, or :as if the prospect of
continuing the old disbursements in the way of repair
was one of altogether irresistible fascination. Cer-
tainly from our past experience of the foundations,
and their propensity to drop down lower and
lower when least expected, the funds appro-
priated to the carrying out of the exist-
ing plans in this instance might be very
appropriately termed the Sinking Fands. Thanks to
Sir R. 11. INGLIS, however, there is yet another op-
portunity afforded for the redemption of the public
from this deplorably voracious dilemma. The Bill
as at present constructed is about to pass under the
scrutiny cf a very deliberate Committee. Before the
matter has passed through that Committee, we are
in hopes that it will be so carefully emended as to baffle
the recognition even of its originators. Oar hopes
in this regard are authorised by our sense of the
force of one or two very imperative and undeniable
considerations. We cannot imagine to ourselves, for
instance, the possibility of the Committee sanction-
ing the selection of the present site for a bridge at
Westminster, so soon as they begin to estimate the
enormity of the sums of money lavished already in
the way of repairs, the too immediate proximity of
the existing structure to the new Houses of Par-
liament, and a variety of other equally per-
suasive reflections. Instead of recommending
the ridiculous proposition, to which the Commons
yesterday refused the privilege of a second reading,
we are sanguine that the Select Committee may sug-
gest in their report the substitution of the present
structure in lieu of a new wooden one fur a temporary
line of communication (thereby saving, as it were by
a stroke of the pen, a useless expenditure of 100,0001),
and the selection of a new site in lieu of the old one
(thereby setting off to the best advantage the gorgeous
palace of the Legislature, and securing to the bridge
between Lambeth and IVetminster a safe and solid
foundation). By acting in this manner the Committee
will economize the public money, will secure in the
readiest way the uninterrupted flow of traffic, will
aid the genius of Mr. BARRT in displaying his archi-
tectural masterpiece, and will prevent the recurrence
of a lamentable and expensive series of catastrophes.

On Thursday next, namely, the day after to-
morrow, the unfortunate Metropolitan Interments
Bill will be brought under Committee in the Lords,
having been already hurried sub silentio through the
first and second readings. ITAiless some energetic
member of that august assemblage venture, then,
upon some bold and resolute opposition, we see no-
thing before us but the final stages required to trans-
form the measure into a veritable enactment. 'With-
out the realisation of that last opportunity, we shall
see this miserable Bill rendered the law of the land
by quietly passing the third reading in the Lords,
and in due course of time receiving the Royal assent.
Oae or two glaring anomalies we would here briefly
point out before the measure be brought into Com-
mittee. For example, it appears that instead of se-
lecting lands of a moderate cost, the highest priced
lands, such as the land at Erith, are chosen for the
formation of the first cemetery. Let it be
borne in mind that the Government (without
purchase) are already in possession of lands precisely
suited for the purpose of interment, and that the se-
lection of such lands would prevent the necessity Of
further exorbitant ta':ation, besides rendering the
charges for burial more reasonable—and the extrava-
gance of this arrangement becomes manifest. How
moderate the charges of interment may be made with
due economy is seen in the fact that the poor can be
buried for one shilling and sixpence a head, and the
rich for one pound two shillings and sixpence, in ce-
meteries at this moment existing, and—fortunately
for them—not under the direction of Government !

THE ATROCIOUS ASSAULT UPON

HER MAJESTY.

The Sun published a late edition, containing all that
could be known up to eight o'clock, which reached the
large towns in the south and west of England early the
next morning. It is only justice to say that we were
assisted in expressing The Sun on this occasiun by
Messrs. Clayton aid Son, of 265. Strand.
We have received, through Mr. Alexander Johnston,
34, Bachelor's-walk, a Fourth Edition of The Sun of
yesterday, containing the account of a most horrible
olltraee on her Majesty.—Dublin Wcellly Register,
Juno 29.

We have received a dispatch, per Mr. Alexander
Johnston, news-agent, 34, Bachelor's-walk, from The
Sun of Thursday evening, of the atrocious assault upon
her Majesty.—The Nation, June 29.
We are indebted to Mr. Alexander Johnston, news-
agent, of Bachelor's-walk, for an early copy of the
Fourth Edition of last night's Sun, containing the ac-
count of a most dastardly attack on her liaksty yester-
day evening.—Dublin Evening Mail, June 28.
Our readers aro indebted for the account of the atro-
cious assault upon her Majesty to the kindness of Mr.
Alexander Johnston, 34, Bachelor's-walk, who was at
the trouble to forward us the Fourth Edition of Thurs-
day's Sun, in which it was contained. We are much
obliged to Mr. Johnston for his courtesy on this occasion.
—The Tablet, June 29.

WHAT WOULD ODE ANCESTORS SAY ?--WRITE.
B %IT IN LEEDS !—On Friday last Messrs. Lovegrove, of
Blackwall, forwarded to Mr. Fleischmann, of the Scarborough
Hotel, Leeds, a supply of white-bait, which arrived in capital
condition, and was cooked for a select dinner party, in as
tghriesa t
delicatepe r feet ifiosnhaosoinfl
de a tseonarant G. ebeemvic h.
transmittedT we n ttyo )L' eoanrsdaogno.
So much for railway communication!
MISS WOOLGAR.—This justly, favourite actress will
take her benefit at the Adelphi Theatre to-morrow (Wed-
nesday). The hunchback, in which she will play the cha-
racter of Helen, and her father, Mr. Woolgar, that of Master
Walter, will be the chief piece of the evening.
STATE or TRADE.—The accounts of the state of
trade in the provinces during the past week are all satis-
factory, a bettihwnteehrehrtoeone being now observable in the
market.Man-
icarasheltlemeesLqnotaeertrieaocdrfdeetseopwtrirenseorgs; At Leeds and Bradford there is a full de-
mand at firm and improving prices. At Huddersfield there
m also
lmanufacturesso
demandp ri c
prices
than
havee rs
risen,some
recoveringt itmh ee past;there
o firsandonl it cer-
taintys
ski
otnh r;oaungdh,oonwt
owing
ge t
o ththe
prospects remainder
rosp
cocft the ytehaer.
har-
vest, alrn-
rvfos
ot ,r
tt hleirkeewisisgereafrtocmontiindeeivneeeloiitli
ironits fmaratrhkeertiinncdriecaastee.s
some
little revival.

THE POST AND THE PEOPLE.- correspon dent
informs us of a working man who, on Monday, received a
letter from Berwick, stating that his mother had died on the
preceding Friday, and requesting his attendance on Sunday
or Monday morning; the letter was not posted in time for
Saturday's mail, and there being no Sunday conveyance of
letters, it came too late to be of service; the bereaved son
reached Barwick after his mother's funeral was over.

CHOLER k (IRELAND).—From a return just pre-
sented to the House of Commons, it appears that the total
number of persons attacked with cholera in Ireland, and re-
hewed, medically or otherwise, by boards of guardians, from
September 1848, to March 25, 1851, was 55,141. The
e,
to 5,092 persons, whose relations or supporters
died from cholera, was 5,1834 14a. 3d., which, added to the
medical and other expenses occasioned lay cholera, made. a
cstofreliL9,
total of 41,102/.Be. Id.