The Sun.
London, England, 1844-08-20 00:00:00

MONUMENT TO THE POLITICAL

MARTYRS.
We understand that Sir James Gibson Craig has
consented to preside at the dinner of the stewards on
Wednesday next, after the foundation of the monu-
ment is laid to the political martyrs of Scotland in
1793-94. It is with peculiar propriety that a part of
the proceedings on that occasion is to be under the
direction of this distinguished veteran in the cause of
freedom, who not only felt keenly the injustice of the
sentences at the time they were pronounced, but made
strenuous exertions, both personal and professional, to
stay and avert their execution. No man now de-
fends these proceedings, and the Tories themselves
were so ashamed of them, that they procured, even
from an unreformed Parliament, statutes entirely
abrogating in future the powers under which the
Court of Justiciary was enabled to pass such sen-
tences. But, nevertheless, it is fit that a suitable
testimonial should be erected amidst the numerous
monumental structures of this city to mark the repro-
bation of the sentences by the public in
the present age, and to record their high re-
spect for the virtuous resolution and forti-
tude displayed by the injured men in bearing
the heavy sufferings to which they were subjected.
Sir James Gibson Craig, who is now almost the only
survivor of the small but able band of patriots who
opposed the dominant party so powerfully in 1793,
can well explain the grounds on which he and the
late Lord Holland, and other friends, became early
subscribers to this monument. We are happy that
he is still in health and vigour to do so; we have no
doubt that he will be able to do full justice to the
memory of the persecuted Reformers, without any
unnecessary mixture of acrimonius or vindictive feel-
ng towards the actors in these lamentable proceed-
,ngs, who may now be safely left to the judgment of
Impartial posterity.—Scotsman.

LANCASTER AND CARLISLE AND LANCASTER AND
PRESTON RAILWAYS.-At the half-yearly meeting of
the Lancaster Canal Company, held last week, it was
stated that the Company's opposition to the Lancaster
and Carlisle Railway had been withdrawn, on condition
that the Railway Company should guarantee and slake
up (if needful) the amount of tonnage, on the north end
of the canal, to I LIMO/. per annum. Should the amount
exceed that sum, such excess to be paid to the Railway
Company, the latter to have an option, at any time, of
adopting the now current lease of the Lancaster and
Preston Railway, on paying to the Canal Company
9,2501., in addition to the sum of 13,3001. now paid by
• the Canal Company as a yearly rent for the line. The
secretary intimated the intention of the lessees to run a
third-class train on the Lancaster and Preston Railway,
at id. per mile, one each way, at a convenient hour, in
compliance with the intentions of the Legislature.—
Railway Record.
A SUBSTITUTE FOR TOBACCO.—A gentleman, not
five miles from Upwell, who was taught at one of the
schools of iEsculapius, thought to enjoy a first-rate ila-
vannah, and to make the pleasure more complete, walked
to a friend's house. While engaged in conversation, ho
found himself annoyed by not being able to smoke with
facility ; now puffing with all his might, now biting off
the end, he again placed it in his mouth, but he could
not make it burn freely until he drew from the cigar a
rat's tail, which he had been sucking for some time"!
WhaWer liking the feline tribe may have for rats' tails,
'we are mire the gentleman had none. The fumes of the
tobacco, the blanching of the bones by suction, and the
roasting of the residue of the tail, being commingled, we
need not say prodge.ed nausea. fappily the gentleman
was well skilled in the healing art, and immediately took
a glass of cold water to rince his mouth out.—Canitridge
Chronicle.