The Sun.
London, England, 1844-02-05 00:00:00

FLANDERS AND DUTCH MAIL.
BRUSSELS, FEB. .—DE ATII OF TIIE KING S
BROTHER.—Yesterday evening the Court had a se-
cond ball in the palace, at which about 1,000 per-
sons were present. The dancing was very animated,
and the King was conversing with different persons
in the great drawing-room, when General d'llane
came in and told his Majesty that an officer had ar-
rived express from the Court of Saxe-Coburg with
important dispatches. The King immediately went
to the apartment where the officer was waiting, and
there he heard the afflicting news of the sudden death
of his elder brother, the reigning Duke of Saxe-
Coburg.

Ilis Majesty, overcome with grief, directly retired
to his private apartments. Unwilling, however, that
the ball should be broken up, he sent word to the
Queen that a slight indisposition hindered him from'
joining the company. The melancholy and unex-
pected news, however, soon became known to a part
of the company and threw a damp over the whole.
Many gentlemen and ladies declined dancing any
snore.

The Queen did not leave the ball till just one
o'clock, when she was first informed of the death Of
her brother-in-law, whom she highly esteemed. It
is probable that there williae no more fetes at Court
(luring the whole winter.

Tni HAGUE, FEB. 2.—ln the second sitting of the
Chamber of the States General today, the President
proposed to put on the order of the day for Tuesday
next, the debate on the project of law for re-
gulating and providing for the deficiency of
1840 and the preceding years. Some mem-
bers objected on account of the connection be-
tween the measure and that relative to an extra-
ordinary income-tax and a voluntary loan. After
some debate, the President's proposal was agreed to
by a majority of 22 to 15. In the same sitting, the
Central Section brought up the report on the project
of law for meeting the deficiency of 1841, 1842, and
1843, the debate on which is immediately to follow
the preceding one.
IHE HAGUE, FEB. 3.—On the 31st of January in
the evening, during a splendid ball given by Mpg
Leopold, in his palace at Brussels, his Majesty re-
ceived the news of the death of the reigning Duke of
Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.
The deceased person was father of Prince Albert,
consort of the Queen of England, and uncle to the
King of Portugal, to the Duchess of Nemours, and
to the husband of Princess Clementine, daughter Of
King Louis Philippe.

OMMERCIAL TREATIES.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR, I wish to direct attention to the speech of
M. Guizot, which is published in your paper of Wed-
nesday last. I more particularly allude to that part
where he says—" There have been negotiations for a
treaty of commerce between Prance and England."
In reference to this subject he observes Those
negotiations have ceased, and have not been resumed;
for the present, therefore, there is nothing to excite
the Hon. Gentleman's fears. All the questions have
remained entire, and no engagement has been entered
into.--(Approbation.) As for me, the more I have
thought upon it, the more I have convinced mYseh,
that between great Powers, which may be considered
as rivals, treaties of commerce binding themfor a long
time are attended with inconvenience and danger
—(Yes, yes)—and that it is better to prcceed with
great rival countries by modifications of tariffs, which
leaves them all freedom, and gives the experiment it
is proposed making but the time strictly necessary.
I shall add, that I have reason to hope that our
notions are also finding their way into the English.
Cabinet, that it will insist no more on a treaty 01,
commerce, but leave modifications of tariffs to attain'
the object aimed at by both parties—an extension of
commercial intercourse."

It is o: great importance, that we direct the at-
tention of our legislators to this admirable speech,
which confirms the sound doctrine of Mr. Deacon;
Hume, and of all persons, who have directed thew-
disinterested attention to the subject.
Let its admit, corn, wine, and sugar, at moderate.
fixed duties, and leave other nations to do as they
may think proper. They will not give us their gooa
without an equivalent, and the more we import, the
greater will be the benefit to the whole country,.
commercial and agricultural.
Your most obedient servant,
Jan. 26, 1844. A LANDOWNER.

- -
MANLY SPORTS RELIEF Burt—The Bill which`
will be introduced by the Duke of Richzunicl, intheliouse of
Lords, on the subject of the manly sports of Great Rritain, is
fothg-following effect :—The first section repeals the statutes
''O.Anne,••c. 14, 16 Car. 11., c: 7, sec. 2,'and 18 Geo. 11., c. 34,
-ss.-8, so-far as they relate to horse-racing, and othei sports
mentioned in the schedule annexed, and so far as they extend
• to personS fairly, and withoitt any fraud, trick, or deceit, win-
ning
or losing any sums of money, or any other valuable
chattel or-thing, by -playing at such sports or pastimes, or by_
betting upon such as do play at the same. The secondsche-
dule
forbids that the Act shall not extend to exempt or pro-
tect from-the penalties or punishments by the said repealed
Acts directed to be recovered or inflicted against persons
Who, by playing at, Or by betting on such as play at, any
games or sports, win any sums of money, or any chattel- •
whatsoever, by any fraud; shift, cozenage, circumvention,
deceit, or unlawful device or ill practice what Soever. The
schedule referred to contains horse races, foot races, boat
faces, regattas, rowing matches, sailing matches, coursing
matches; fencing matches, putting stone, wrestling matches,
cricket, tennis, fives, racquet, bowls, quoits, curling, golf, and
any lima fide variety of any of the above sports, pastimes, or -
games, and any sport of a like description to any of the-above
sports, to which a different name may by general or local
usage be appropriated.
ROYAL BENEFICENCE.—Her Majesty (as We lass
week announced) has been graciousl • pleased to contribute
the sum of 201. to the fund for the relief of the family of the
late unfortunate Mr. W. Prichard. The appeal to her Ma!"
jesty's benevolence, and the readiness with which it was re-
sponded to, have somewhat of a romantic basis, which, under
less afflicting circumstances, might serve for a superstructure
to a work of fiction. It is painful to recapitulate facts which
have already attained local notoriety, but as the sheet whit
contains the record of her Majesty's generosity may fall into
hands which the anterior statements have not reached,
may not be amiss to premise that Mr. Prichard commit?!
self-destruction under circumstances of a peculiarly V..
tressing character, and that his widow and family were
wholly destitute. It appears that on the 21st October,
Miss Julia Prichard (the eldest (laughter of the late Mr'
W.• Prichard), then three years of age, was adelitted
oes
by Sir John Conroy into the presence of her Majesty Qll_2
N ictoria, on her then visit at Clifton, and was caressed al::
taken much notice of, and her Majesty most condescending,
presented Miss PriChard with a beautiful flower.
-
flower was carefully preserved, and a few days since a com-
munication was made to Colonel Anson, the Aide-de-careP to
Prince Albert, by our fellow-citizen, J. K. Haberfici-, and
of the lamentable distress of this unfortunate familY!,.."..
the flower so preserved was also transmitted, with a 3.
ment of facts ; and in reply her Majesty's treasurer, gi•
Henry Wheatley, forwarded to Miss Prichard s chev.
with a note, of which the following is a copy, and
.of
is most deserving of being recorded as another Prn'l st.
her Majesty's well-known kindness and liberality :-- tiey
James's Palace, January 25th, 1844.—Sir Henry Wheaand
presents his compliments to Miss. Julia Baillie Prichard,e
begs to inform her that her petition has been subinit,t2..A
'the Queen ; and her Majesty having been graciously Pleased
to take into consideration the present afflicted state of Iw--
the Prichard and her numerous family, and also recollectiegA4
circumstance to which Miss Prichard refers, has conunalt,i,
Sir Henry Wheatley to forward twenty pounds, as a drir Tor
towards their relief. Sir Henry begs to inclose a LI tlard
that sum, the receipt of which he requests Miss ri17;01
will acknowledge at her earliest convenience. Sir-r3vso •
also returns the flower and verses, in accordance with . •
Prichard's request."—Weekly Chronicle. da
The Flintshire colliers hays struck work fortr
advance of wages, at a time when hundreds of working beeu
are in a total want of employment. This movement I vre
urged by the delegates from the North, whose meet...„inb;i2gst
have recently noticed. The following are said to be a"", pow;
the demands :—The colliers demand that what they 7i0103,,'"
paid 4s. for shall be advanced to ss. 6d. The drawers' fr4r
an advance of from 2s. Bd. to 3s. 2d. • and the tiod so-
2s. sd. to 2s. lid. All others employed' also deinae,ssail4
Vance. The strike is not general, but still it is eintnobablf
to several large concerns. ' This combination will Pottlallr
produce a combination of the employers, which will el •
end in the depression of wages.—Shrewsbury Chronbict,e:Anti"
We hail with delight the progress ~t7Leigna
League agitation in the agricultural districts. ,'„-orl their
had succeeded in putting the " farmers' friends' ,p7a sort of
trial; and every Anti-League gathering contribil:-of •tenanr inquest for the elucidation of the local
grievance" lu-
farmers. In spite of the blandishments and frowns °f flg
tenantso -
lords of the Buckingham and Richmond school,their
be found to speak the truth fearlessly, and to encouliimonl
neighbours to hesitate before bearing a compulsorte!
to the blessings of tenantcy-at-will, rack-rents, and
corn_
question •
laws. Most of them understand right *ell that the
_Tr:ruler
question is a rent question ; nor is there an intelligene,•4**
in the north of England who would not ladly
repeal of the corn laws to-morrow could he tl-,11
r°bllAdeertiser. •
change for them a corn rent and a good t° • The South Eastern Railway from Folkestonee_ens is
Dover will be opened to the public on Tuesday. Th_e,_
to be celebrated by a grand entertainment to the Una • .
ernoon.
Directors, and Engineers, at Dovet,
vote for
repeal
etxlif •

BIRTHS.
On the 31st ult., at Cheltenham, the lady of the Rev. /
Corbett Turnbull, of a son.
On the Ist inst., at Blaekheath-park, the lady of FreSciS
'Nigh Hookey, Esq., of a daughter.
On the 2d inst., at Montague-street, Russell- square, the
lady of Thomas George Smith, Esq., of a

MARRIED. .
On the Ist inst., at St. George's Hanover-square, the Rev-
Richard Gwijlyn, M.A., incumbent of Ulverstone, to Sarahi,
third daughter of the late T. Strickland, Esq., of Reydoli
Hall, Suffolk.
On the 2d inst., at All Souls Church, Langham-place,
Charles Farebrother, Esq., S.C.L., of Trinity College, Ox-
ford, eldest son of Alderman Farebrother, of the Moat House,
Stockwell, Surrey, to Emily Sophia, second daughter of tha
Rev. John H. Hughes, M.A., Rector of St. Clement's, Oxford-
On the Ist inst., at Titchfield, Hants, the Hon. Sir Edward:
Butler, son of the Right lion. Lord Dunboyne, to Urania,
Elizabeth, daughter of the lato Vice-Admiral the Right floP.
Lord Henry Paulet,

DIED.
On the 30th of last month, at the Rose and Crown, Wl.
beach, Mr. John Mason, of Derby, a commercial traveller,
respected and esteemedby all whoAknew him.
On the 3d inst., in Portland-place, Anne, the wife of that
Right lion. Sir James Wigram.
On the 19th ult., at Florence, Charles Alexander Lashing'
ton, Esq., aged 31.
On the 27th ult., at Tysoe-street, Wilmington-squar,
Eliza, the wife of. Mr. David Craven, aged 27.

_
London : Printed and Published by DIURDO YOUIsiG, or
No. 112, Strand, at The Sun Office, N 0.112, Strand, in the
County of Middlesex, Monday, February 5, 1844.