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

Thornin mi

LONDON, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1844.

The Speech from the Throne requires little comment.

It is, like most of its late predecessors, vague and gene-
ral, stating what nearly all knew or all agreed in. The
amicable relations of England and France, the general
peace of the world, the treaty with China, and the libe-
ral conduct of the British Government in claiming no
exclusive advantages, after an event of which this
country has so much reason to be proud, were matters
of history before the speech was pronounced. The
same may be said of the paragraphs which refer to
Ireland, in which her MAJESTY repeats her former de-
termination to maintain inviolate the legislative union
-between the two countries, and her earnest desire to
adopt measures which may tend to improve the social
condition of the sister country. The only parts of the
speech that convey any information have reference to the
occupation of land and the state of the registra-

ion in Ireland, the renewal of the Bank-char-

ter, and the annexation of Sinde to Ilindostan.
In these paragraphs are involved matters of great im-
portance. The Reform Bill, Sir ROBERT PEEL has re-
peatedly said, is a final measure, and must not be inter-
fered with ; but from the speech of the QUEEN, we are
glad to find it is not a final measure, and very
important alterations are to take place : First of all,
in Ireland, the mode of registering voters is
to be placed on a new footing, and the
extension of the county franchise is considered ad-
visable. This is the reverse of finality, and we welcome
the announcement with heartfelt joy, because it puts an
end to the finality crochets of Lord Jour; RUSSELL and
Sir ROBERT PEEL. The QUEEN admits the Reform
Bill is not perfect ; it requires amendment, and in this
sentiment all Reformers will cordially concur. Govern-
ment itself have put in the sharp end of the wedge; and if the
people do their duty, they will follow the good example,
drive it to the head, and ensure a full and free repre-
sentation of all classes. The Tories, after all, are the
best Reformers. Ten words from WELLINGTON, in
1830, decided the fate of Parliamentary Reform; and
two lines put into the royal speech by Sir R. PEEL
have smothered " finality." Could any reasonable
Liberal desire more from men who boast that they are
not given to change? The Bank Charter is a fruitful
subject for meditation, and we are glad to find that the
Prime Minister considers it advisable that the state of
the law with regard to the privileges of that establish-
ment, and other banking establishments, should be fully
discussed. This opens a wide field, extending from
the golden year 1819, to 1844, including a period when
the Bank of England was saved from 'a second stoppage
of cash payments only by pledging its assets

to borrow mone

from France. Could there be a bet-

ter proof that the currency of the country is exposed
by the present system, and by the baneful operation of
the sliding scale, to the most dangerous convulsions ?
These are gratifying announcements in the royal
speech .; but they are far surpassed by her MAJESTY'S
cordial approbation of the conduct of our gallant coun-
trymen and auxiliaries in a territo►y just added to the
British possessions in the East. Sir CHARLES NAPIER
has had to wait long for the prize he regarded above all
others—the congratulation of his Sovereign for the
faithful performance of an anxious and embarrassing
duty ; and he has obtained it, with full interest, at last.
"The hostilities," says her MAJESTY, " which took place
during the past year in Sinde, have led to the annexation
of a considerable portion of that country to the British
possessions in the East. In all the military operations,
and especially in the battles of Meanee and Hyderabad,
the constancy and the valour of the troops, Native and
European, and the skill and gallantry of their distin-
guished Commander, have been most conspicuous." We
are glad the Government have spoken out on this im-
portant measure, and have shown a determination to
fortify Hindestan against the barbarians of the West,
and make the Indus a highway for British commerce
and British troops. Next to the opening of the trade
with Chins, it is the most important event of
the present day ; and the ultimate result
will only add to the laurels already gained
by the man whom the SOVEREIGN is pleased to
call a " distinguished Commander," and amply atone
for Lord ELLENBOROUGH'S songs of triumph, and his
enthusiastic advocation of the sandal-wood gates of
Somnauth. Not a word is said in the speech about the
corn-laws, or other topics that have agitated the
country during the prorogation of Parliament, but this
circumstance will not prevent Mr. COBDEN and the advo-
cates of free trade from doing their duty.

Parliament opened yesterday with the usual cere-
monies. The speech of her MAJESTY, on which we
have made some remarks in the preceding article, will
be found in the report of the proceedings ix the House
of Lords. Lord ELDON moved the address, which, as
usual, was in accordance with the speech from the
throne, while, at the same time, his Lordship made some
remarks on the blessings which the Church had con-
ferred on the country, and paid a high compliment to a
Puseyite clergyman, Dr. HOOK, of Leedc, for giving up
one half of his income, in order that every poor man
might have his pastor, and every poor child his school.
He concluded by adverting' to the melancholy duel
between Colonel FAWCETT and Lieut. MUNRO, and ex-
pressed a hope that measures might be adopted to
prevent the recurrence of such a calamity. Lord HILL,
in a very brief speech, seconded the address.
The Marquis of NORMANDY followed. His speech
chiefly referred to the state of Ireland, to the ignorance
of Englishmen respecting the affairs of that country,
and the ardent attachment he felt for the people. He
also adverted to the affairs of Sinde, paid a high com-
pliment to Sir CHARLES NAPIER and Colonel PENNE-
FATHER, congratulated the country on the good under-
standing which existed between England and France,
and intimated that, on a future occasion, he might call
the attention of their Lordships to the present state of
Ireland.
Lord BROUGHAM expressed great satisfaction that
the speech contained nothing from beginning to end
but congratulation. He refrained under present cir-
cumstances from adverting to the state of Ireland, but
trusted that Parliament would do its duty should the
law be found insufficient to maintain the present union
with that country. He trusted at the same time that
the Government would show a parental and kindly
feeling to the people of that country, and use rather
attraction than compulsion to bring about a real con.
ciliation. We refer our readers to the remarks of his
Lordship with regard to France and. America, which
deserve attention.

The Marquis of CLANRICABDE, Lord CAMPBELL, and
Earl FrrzwiLLTAN made brief speeches, when the
address was agreed to. The House rose at eight o'clock.
In the Commons, a great number of notices were
given, for which we refer to the Parliamentary report.
The most important was a notice of Lord Jourr Rue-
SELL, that on the 13th of February, he would move that
the House resolve itself into a Committee of the whole
House, to consider the state of Ireland. The announce-
ment was received with loud cheers. Mr. ROEBUCK also
gave notice that, on the same day, he would move for a
Select Committee on the affairs of Sinde.

The address was moved by Lord CLIVE, and seconded
by Mr. CARDWELL.

Mr. HUME expressed great satisfaction on that paragraph
of the speech which referred to the existence of friendly
relations between this country and France, and commend-
ed the Government for establishing a policy whish was
calculated to preserve the peace of the world. He ad-

verted to the _ Chinese tariff, which admitted every

article of food free of duty, and contrasted that with the
miserable policy of the monopolists in this country. He
praised the supplementary treaty, by which all nations
obtained the same advantages as England. It was an
honour to the country. He could not, however, say
the same with respect to Sinde; and though he cordially
concurred in the commendations bestowed on the officers
engaged in the military operations in that country, he would
move an amendment to the effect that Parliament with-
holds any expression of opinion respecting the dethrone-
ment of the Ameers. He then adverted to the present
corn-law, and expressed a belief that Sir R. PEEL did
not intend to make any alterations in that law during
the present session. The remainder of his speech re-
ferret' to this question, free trade, and the state of the
revenue. The Hon. Gentleman then moved as
amendment, which was to the effect that the in-
dustry of the' country was shackled by laws
of repression, which ought at once to be repealed,
and the principle of free trade fully acted upon—that
monopolies should no longer be permitted—and that, her
MAJESTY having announced the prospect of continued
peace, very considerable reductions might and ought to
be made in the naval and military services, and the
various overgrown establishments of the country.
Mr. SHARMAN CRAW FORD also moved an amendment
to the following effect :—" We assure her MAJESTY that
her faithful Commons will be always desirous to vote
such supplies as may be- found just and necessary fir
the public service ; but that under the existing circum-
stances of the country we shall deem it our first and
most important duty to inquire into the various griev.
antes complained of by her people, and to devise such
measures as shall be most effectual for the removal of all
just causes of complaint."
Lord JOHN RUSSELL expressed his gratification that

the topics touched upon with reference to the speech
and the address were treated in such a manner as to meet
with his concurrence. With respect to the annexation
of Sinde, for instance, if he had been called upon
to thank her MAJESTY for having undertaken a
-military aggression against Sinde, he must
say he should be anxious to pause and in-
quire before expressing an opinion on the sub-
ject ; but the address had been very properly framed,
and it only called upon the House to thank her
MAJESTY for the information she had been pleased to
communicate to them, and for the promise of further
papers and information. The Hon. Member for
Montrose had complained that there had been twenty-
three different topics introduced into the address, but
while these topics were treated in this manner he appre-
hended that if there had been 53 instead of 23 different
topics introduced into the address, the House would have
very little difficulty in paying the compliment to the
Crown of agreeing to the address without a division.
He then entered into a lengthened statement respecting
the various topics in the speech ; and after denouncing
the absurdity of those parties who said the present corn-
law was binding for the future, he said he would give
his decided negative to the amendment proposed by the
Hon. Member for Montrose.

Sir ROBERT PEEL'S speech we cannot abridge, but
may state that on one of the most important questions
to come before the House—the present corn-law—he re-
tains his former opinions, and adheres to the sliding-
scale.

Mr. VILLIERS made an excellent speech on the same
subject, and endeavoured to draw from the Minister
whether or not any alteration was to take place this
session. Other Members did the same ; but though
some answers were returned, they were of a very am-
biguous character, and left the course of policy open.
The speech of Mr. VILLIERS will be read with interest.
Mr. GLADSTONE also spoke, and, in the most explicit
terms, denied any knowledge of an article in a
periodical publication which had been imputed to him.
The debate, on the whole, did not excite much interest.
The House then divided on Mr. S. CRAWFORD'S
amendment, when there were, for the amendment, 29 ;
against it, 285.

Mr. HumE's amendment was then put to the vote,
and also negatived, by a majority of 186.

The address was then agreed to, and the House ad-
journed at a Quarter to One o'Clock.

TATE'S COMMERCIAL ARITHMETIC, a New and
much Improved Edition.—This system of arithmetic is prin-
cipally practical, and is calculated to be of very great utility
in all branches of trade and commerce. We recommend it
to the attention of masters of academies, who superintend
the education of young persons intended for trade, or to enter
into the counting-house. The knowledge of the stocks, of
insurance, of book-keeping, of arbitrations of exchange, mer-
chants and bankers' accounts, &c., will be very much facili-
tated by the study of the very perspicuous rules contained.
In this volume.— Tate's Key- (which is now first pub-
lished) is a work of incalculable utility to teacher.