The Sun.
London, England, 1844-01-06 00:00:00

COURT-PASIIIONABLE.

Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to become the
patron of the Royal Metropolitan Hospital for Sick Children in
Broad-street, Golden-square.
His Royal Highness the Due de Bordeaux is expected to
arrive at Brighton to-day,
Earl Grey continues to go on well ; and it is stated that in
the event of no unfavourable change taking place, his Lordship
will leave Howick and arrive in London some time next month.

Lord Brougham is expected to arrive in Grafton-street, on
the 20th inst., from his chateau near Cannes, where his Lord-
ship has been entertaining company.
The Duke of Wellington and Duke of Buceleuch are ex-
uected in town early in the ensuing week.
The Duke of Richmond and Lady Caroline Lennox, Earl
and Countess of March, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Montgomery,
Sir C. Taylor, Sir C. Burrell, Lord Gifford, Mr. and Mrs.
Shirley, Mr. W. Burrell, and a numerous circle, have been
staying at Petworth House, on a visit to Colonel and Mrs.
Wyndham, since Wednesday afternoon.
Earl Fitzhardinge has gone to the villa at Cheltenham, from
Berkeley Castle. The Noble Earl's hounds removed from the
kennels at the Castle on Saturday last, for Cheltenham, and are
to hunt that country till the close of the month.
The Earl and Countess of Morley have been seeing company
at Saltram, Devon. The Noble Earl was invited by Sir David
Milne to dine with his Royal Highness the Duke of Bordeaux,
when at Plymouth,
Ltqd Aylmer, Lady Catherine Fellowes, and Miss Fellowes,
Lord Churchill, Sir John Duckworth, Bart., Lady Duntze, Sir
George Adams, Mr. Reginald Macdonald, and about 300 of the
gentry of the county of Devon, were present. as the annual race
ball at the subscription rooms, Exeter, on Tuesday last.

IWISCELMANEOU'.

We understand that Mr. Wakley issued a regular delaration
of war, at an inquest yesterday, against the press, which appears
to have given great offence by its observations on the Coroner's
proceedings with regard to Lieutenant Monro's sale.
It is stated that most extensive 'alterati9ns are about to take
place in the offices connected with the Excise, with a view to
a reduction of the number of persons employed in that branch
of the Government. Amongst others, it is rumoured that the
Corresponding and Audit offices are to be abolished, and to be
consolidated with the Secretary department.
According to Mr. Murphy, to-morrow (Sunday) will be the
coldest day in the year 1844.
A considerable quantity of new sovereigns, half-sovereigns,
and silver coinage, has been received at the Bank during the
last week from the Royal Mint, in anticipation of the demand
that is likely to be made for the new gold coinage.
The annual meeting of the Boston Agricultural Association
was held on Wednesday, when Mr. It. Calthrop proposed the
adoption of a petition to the Legislature, praying for a conti-
nuance of the bread monopoly, which was agreed to. Several
gentlemen addressed the meeting upon the necessity of keeping
up the protective duties, and deprecating any relaxation of the
corn-laws.

A memorial has been addressed to her Majesty's Government
by the Chairman of the East India and China Association of
Liverpool, praying for a reduction of the duty on tea to Is. per
lb., on the principle of its leading to a great increase in the
consumption of tea, independently of the political and com-
mercial results to be derived from the proposed diminution.
The Eastern Counties Herald states, that in various parts
of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, highway robberies, sheep steal.
ing, and other crimes against property, are on the increase, to
an extent that manifests a great social disorganisation in the
rural districts.
The new light-house at Scarborough, which is higher than
the former, now not only casts an improved light on the sea,
but casts a beautiful light also on the harbour and on the sands.
Lady Byron intends to have a considerable quantity of land
apportioned amongst the poor, early in the ensuing spring, for
the purpose of being tilled under the allotment system.

THE MARQUIS OF WESTMINSTER AND
THE ANTI-CORN-LAW LEAGUE.

The following remarkable letter, announcing
a donation of 5001, to the Anti-Corn-law League,
has bee❑ forwarded to us for publication :

" Eaton Ball, Jan. 1, 1814.

" Sir,—Having on a fbrmer occasion expressed
to you my anxious wishes for your success ►n the
arduous contest with monopoly in which you are
engaged, I cannot refuse myself the pleasure of
congratulating you upon the rapid progress you
have since made in the struggle with that fornii-
dat►le adversary•

" As you have found your foe to be daring and
resolute, so have your energies increased in a
wonderful manner; andrin spite of Opposition,
you have carried the war most effectually into
the enemy's strongholds. With such vigorous
and sustained efforts, the victory must be yours;
and my hopes of ultimate triumph, and that at
no very distant date, therefore, much exceed
my fears of failure. As to the duty that it is said
would be lost to the country, if not insisted on,
am satisfied that such would be the prosperity
of all classes from the abolition of this impost,.
such the advantage that would accrue to, all the
monied concerns of the community, that, in a
very short time, the general wealth would be so
far augmented that the national revenue would
outrun the amount of any duty that has been
proposed, whether 35., 55., or Bs.
" It may be nll very well, at agricultural
meetings, to talk of the advantages of long
leases, of tile draining, &c., and to drink the
health of the labourers ; but to what good effect?
Long leases are, in certain districts, and under
certain well-known circumstances, desirable
enough ; , good draining has long bcen under-
stood and practised, where there have been
sufficient means, sufficient enterprise, and a soil
requiring it; praise has no doubt been deservedly
lavished upon the farm labourers ; but-there is
something still to be dune much more important
to them, which is, to give them the means of
obtaining an honest and independent livelihood,
solid pudding being far preferable to empty
praise, and this cannot be effected without the
abrogation of these mischievous enactments.
" I have much pleasure in sending a contribu-
tion of 5001. to your fund; and I venture to ex-
press a hope that you will not relax your endea-
vours until you have obtained from Government,
in whatever hands it may happen to be, the
fullest measure of free trade compatible with
what is due to the maintenance of public credit.
" I remain, Sir, your most obedient Servant,

" WESTMINSTER.
"George Wilson,
.RA., Chairman of the Council
of the National Anti-Corn-law League."

A plot has been discovered amongst six of the pri-
soners of the borough gaol, to assassinate the Governor, Mr.
Owston, and effect their escape. This dark scheme was
brought to light by a prisoner named John Newman, convi ted
list Monday (who has in consequence had his sentence of four
months remitted). The authorities have thought it conducive
to the ends of justice sot to furnish us at present with the par-
ticulars in detail.—Leicester Mercury (this day).