The Sun.
London, England, 1844-03-04 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 4, 1844.

their strength of reasoning, will this evening annihi-
late the League, and bury in its ruins all trace of
free-trade principles. We cannot contemplate this
possibility without a shudder; but we console our-
selves, after all, in a strong belief in its improbability,
and in our firm conviction that, on Wednesday even-
ing next, we shall at Covent-garden Theatre hear a
full account of this great Anti-League demonstration,
and hear of it, as we do of the illustrious little General
Tom THUMB, as an object of admiration, on account
of its dwarfish stature.

NARvAEz must expect to see their security rejeoted
by the constitutional Government, when it shall have
been established."
The Three per Cents. were done at 29i for cash,
30/ at 60 days ; the Four per Cents., 21 for cash ;
and the Five per Cents., at 22/ at 60 days.

The debate in the French Chamber of Deputies on
the affairs of Otaheite lasted for two days, and ex-
cited long speeches and strong national feeling, but
finally terminated in favour of the GUIZOT Ministry.
The speech of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in
reply to M. CARNE, appeared in The Sun on Satur-
turday. M. BILLAULT followed, and made a violent
attack on the Cabinet, accusing them of being guided
in their treatment of Admiral DUPETIT THOUARS

The financial condition and prospects of the coun-
try are subjects of such vital and universal interest
to the public at large, that we are somewhat disap-
pointed at the studied abstinence of almost every
Member of either House of Parliament from any
direct allusion to these topics. That they should be
distasteful, dry—nay, even impracticable to a consi-
derable section of Peers and a goodly band of aristo-
cratic Commoners, is no matter for surprise. - That
exceedingly defective system of education at our
public schools and universities in England, which
sends into the Legislature a senior wrangler from
Cambridge, or a first-class man from Oxford, as
profoundly ignorant of all political and economic
learning, as he is, usually, of natural philosophy or
the principles of perspective, the art of dancing or the
theory of navigation ;—that system applies the worst
possible preparation for the practical business of
statesmen. It is not until after such aspirants
to legislative distinction have gone through
the unwonted discipline of Private Committees
on Local Bills, and the drudgery of note-taking in
Select Committees to try the merits of election peti-
tions, that they begin to conceive the possibility of
business-like habits of application, attention, and
punctuality—of a knowledge of accounts, and a
familiarity with those lower mathematics (which,
though disdainfully remembered in connection with
the honours of the "tripos " are absolutely essential
to excellence in " vulgar arithmetic ")—are attain-
ments not unworthy the attention of fine gentlemen,
and even conducive to Parliamentary distinction.
These good impressions, however, valuable though
they be, are but the accidence of that forensic gram-
mar which ought to have been thoroughly mastered
before they ventured to offer as candidates for
these public " scholarships." If we only consider
how much longer a period is required, especially by
those who have not the advantages of official occupa-
tion, to become au courant to the varying
statistics of public income and revenue ; the
history of the National Debt and Taxation;
the influence of these upon wages, prices, &c. ; we
need not wonder at the school-boy awe with which
so many senators, both of the upper and lower forms,
regard what they suppose to be the " mysteries" of
finance and currency.

------ -_____
more by fear than reason. M. D UFAURE was equally
violent—praised the French Admiral, blamed M.
Guizor for disavowing acts which did honour to the

navy, and summed up in these words :—" Much is
said of the position that France ought to occupy as a
naval power. We make in our budgets great sacri-
fices to sustain the dignity of our navy ; but, for my
part, I declare it openly, I should prefer seeing
France give up her navy for ever, to find her suffer-
ing such acts as the Ministry is defending to-day."
The next speaker was the Minister of Public In-
struction, but he was listened to with some impati-
ence, as the affair had assumed a new form, in con-
sequence of a motion which M. Ducos handed to the
President. This, of course, was known to the Oppo-

sition, and the President, on the last speaker leaving
the tribune, announced that M. Ducos had handed
to him a written proposition, having for its object to
terminate the discussion on the interpellations by a
vote to the following effect :—" The Chamber, with-

out approving of the conduct of the Cabinet pass to
the order of the day." M. GUIZOT seeing the temper
of the Ciatiotet, moved rm nrijournment, which was

violently opposed by the Left, but ultimately carried.
The debate was resumed next day, when M. GUIZOT
and M. THIERS addressed the Chamber at con-
siderable length ; and, on a division, Alinis-
ters had a majority of 46, there being for
the motion of M. Ducos 187, and against it 233.
This is considered a great victory by the Cabinet,
and had a material effect on the funds, the Three per

Cents. having advanced from 82f. 20c. to 82f. 73c.
as soon as the division was known on the Bourse.
The Opposition papers of course are furious at the
result. We give an extract from the National as a

specimen :
" It is with the heart deeply wounded that we take up the
pen to give an account of yesterday's sitting. There were
233 deputies found against 187 to pronounce that Admiral
Dupetit Thouars was wrong in defending the influence
and honour of France against the intrigues of England-
-233 Against 187 to signify to our seamen that in
distant latitudes, where they are to carry our flag, they
must, under penalty of reprobation on the part of their
Government, respectfully withdraw before the lowest Eng-
"o- ' f the establishment of the
right of search, there was imposed on them the obligation
to let themselves be robbed and insulted with impunity by
the cruisers of Great Britain. Now they will learn that there
does not exist a single tribe of savages which has not the right
to drive them away when it pleases, in the name of England.
Admiral Dupetit Thouars and Captain Bruat, who supposed,
very properly, that they deserved well of their country, will be
struck as with a thunder-bolt, when they receive the order to
evacuate their conquest, and humiliate themselves before the
rotegee of Great Britain. Can we not see from hence the
French authorities forced to quit Queen Pomare's house, and
re-establishing there with their own hands the fancy flag
given by Victoria to her sister, the Queen of Otalieite ? Do
we not behold them, filing off like conquered troops, between
two rows of English sailors, Methodist missionaries and savages,
'who will not spare them the most cruel mockeries ? In truth,
we have cause to regret that the tri coloured flag was re-
sumed by France in 1830."
The discussion, which will be found in another
part of the paper, will be read with interest.
THE BOURSE—SATURDAY, INIIRca 2.
First Highest Lowest Last
Price. Price. Price. Price.
French Five per Cents. •• .• 125 85 .. 126 10 .. 125 85 .. 126 10
Three per Cents • • B2 75 • • 82 80 .• 82 75 .• 82 80
Bank of France. 3270 .. 3270 —3270 ..3270
Belgian Bank . 660 660 •• •660 660
Belgian Fives .•. • • • • lO4 •. 104 • • 104 .. 104
1840
1842 ..
Spanish Active
Portuguese Five per Cents. • 46 .• 46 .. 46 .. 46
Neapolitan. 101 50 .. 101 50 .• 101 50 .. 101 80
RAILWAY SHARES.
Rouen • . • • • • • • • 832 50 .. 832 50 .. 832 50 .. 832 50
Rouen to Havre•
Orleans
Strasburg to Bale• 245 247 50 .. 245 .. 246 25
Avignon to Marseilles• • •• •• 760 •• 760 .. 760 .. 760
RAILWAY SHARES FOR FEBRUARY ACCOUNT.
Versailles, • • • • • • • • • • • • 351. 351 25 .. 351 95 .. 351 25 351 25
L. 8... • • • •
Rouen .••••••
Rouen to Havre 671 25 .. 675 .. 671 25 675
Orleans . 852 50 .. 853 75 .. 852 50 .. 853 75
Strasburg to Bale 243 75 .. 247 50 .. 243 75 247 50
RAILWAY SHARES FOR MARCH ACCOUNT.
Versailles, 352 50 .. 352 50 .. 352 50 .. 352 50
L. 8.• • • • • •
Rouen to Ilavre• • • • .• • • • • • • 675 •• 677 50 .. G 75 -. G 77 50
Orleans 853 75 • • 856 25 .. 853 75 .. 856 25
Strasburg to Bale. ...... 247 50 .. 248 75 .. 247 50 .. 248 75

It is not the le.e.° deplorable, that a vast system
like that on which our circulation is founded, should
be left in its present disorganised and perilous state,
to find its own adjustment. It threatens danger to
capital, to industrial production, and the market of
labour; to domestic and foreign trade, to the secu-
rity of all property, to investments, mortgages, debts
of specialty and simple contract ; to the inviolability
of public faith, and the guarantees of private honour.
It thus menaces, indirectly, the prosperity of the
State itself ; directly, of all institutions within the pro-
tection of the State. Do her MAJESTY'S Ministers intend
to stave off every previous consideration of the disasters
produced by PEEL'S Currency Bill of 1819, until they
can assemble their supporters in a field-day majority on
the discussion on the Bank Charter ? Do they think
it will sleep until they be pleased to wake ? Are
they aware that, with every day's delay, they lose
some portion of the power which it will require to
beat down the Frankenstein monster of their own
creation, in that unrighteous experiment of 1819 ?
Let them be assured, that to delay the task of re-
tracing that fatal step, is to accelerate their own de-
struction, and to secure an imperishable record of
their own imbecility. Besides, their hesitation in
this matter is paralysing the short remaining oppor-
tunity they have of diminishing the public burdens
they have so largely enhanced. Foreign capital, as
our City Correspondent tells us, is pouring into this
country for investment. Money was scarcely ever
so plentiful, nor the time so favourable, for a great
funding operation on the part of Government. Yet
the Government are mute as the silenced oracles on
the destinies of the statute-consecrated enormity of
PEEL'S currency scheme ; and have not made one sign
of an intention to convert the Three-and-a-Half per
Cents., whereby so enormous a reduction might be
effected on the interest of the Debt.

The dinner to be given to Mr. O'Connell, at Covent-
garden Theatre, on Tuesday the 12th inst., already
excites public attention in a degree beyond any simi-
lar occurrence in our recollection. The dinner given
to Mr. Byng, on his completion of fifty years' service
was a magnificent -af-
fiirn P
; present occasion. The
Parliamentexceeded
x e edocounty,
the
applications for tickets to the dinner, and for ladies
to the boxes to hear the speeches, have been more
than the stewards anticipated, and by parties who
from their rank and station could hardly have been
-af-
fair b fore tc d
heisn
expected to attend. The musical arrangements have
been placed under the care of Mr.- George Stansbury,
and every pains taken to give effect to the
pieces, many of them new fof the occasion. A
full military band, comprising the first talent
in London, will perform during dinner, and
occasionally afterwards. The toasts and senti-
ments to be given, and the various speakers by whom
they are to be introduced and acknowledged, have been
carefully selected, so as to afford no ground for offence
to any_ portion of the Liberal payty, or even to those
who view the late trial of O'Connell as an unfair per-
version of justice, apart from all political or party
considerations. After the debate of Friday last there
can be but one opinion throughout the - press as to
the conduct which they must pursue on the, present
occasion, to vindicate themselves from any supposed
approval of acts of espionage and violated confidence.
TEE Pitivv COUNCIL.--On Saturday afternoon sum-
monses were issued to the Cabinet Ministers to attend
a Privy Council this afternoon, at Buckingham Palace.
The time appointed for the Council is a quarter before
three -o'cloc , and most of the Ministers are expected to
be present.

" At the last meeting of the Edinburgh and Glas
gow Railway Company," says a Scotch paper, " Sir
ANDREW AGNEW moved as an amendment to the ap-
proval of the Report, that the Sunday trains be dis-
continued ; at the same time he presented memorials
against their continuance from the Free Church
Presbyteries of Edinburgh and Glasgow. The vote
being taken, the Report was approved of by a majo-
rity of the shareholders present, fifteen voting for it
and nine for Sir ANDREW AGNEW'S amendment—the
majority represented three hundred and fifty-five votes,
the minority forty-six. Five of the minority
held only one share each." Poor Sir ANDREW
AGNEW 1 He seems doomed to perpetual discomfi-
ture—predestined to be the very hero of defeat.
Scotland, like England, will have nothing to do with
his panaceas for piety, but repudiates both him and
them with equal pertinacity. On either side the
Tweed he makes a stir only to be laughed at. The
recent defeat of his amendment at the meeting of the
Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway Company which—
as will be seen by the above paragraph—was a crush-
ing one, will, we trust, teach him a useful
lesson of discretion whereof he stands much in need ;
and convince him that it is only " labour lost" to attempt
to make head against the common sense and right
feeling of a community. Were the interests of true
religion involved in:such puritanical restrictions as
this grim Baronet has now, for a long term of years,
been assiduously endeavouring to impose on the Sab-
bath recreations of the people, we should not dream
for an instant of objecting to them ; but religion
has nothing to do with the matter; the question
is one of pure Pharisaical cant—of cant
unleavened with the slightest admixture of toleration
or common sense. Were it possible that Sir ANDREW
AGNEw and the double-distilled Saints whathink with
him, could ever succeed in their efforts to pro-
pagate fanaticism among the people, they would do
more public mischief, both in a moral and religious
sense, than whole centuries of enlightened legislation
could repair. For let no one imagine that a long-
faced puritanical community must necessarily be
a moral and devout one. The records of our own
history show that the reverse is the fact, for never
were there greater outrages committed than during
the reign of the Saints in England, when robberies,
and even murders, were continually perpetrated,
under the pretext of religion, by Millenarians and
Fifth Monarchy-men, who yet would have shud-
dered at the idea of missing attendance at a conventicle
twice or thrice a day, and fancied themselves absolved
from all crimes so long as they held fast by the prac-
tice of singing psalms and hymns in the key of a
Tower-gun. Look, too, at the career of the Mun-
ster Anabaptists—men who cried down all innocent
amusements as impious—who were strict to a degree
in the performance of all external religious duties,
yet who scrupled not to commit the most heinous ex-
cesses ! Generally speaking, a fanatical community
must of necessity be a hypocritical one, and the day,
we trust, is far distant when cant and hypocrisy shall
find favour in the eyes of the major portion of the
people. Stringert religious restrictions, such as
those which the grim-visaged Atow wites would fain
impose upon us, invariably foster the very evil which
lit is their object to check. As they commence by
making men hypocrites, so, in nine cases out of ten,
they end by making them infidels.

DUTCH AND FLANDERS MAIL.
The average price of Wheat last week was 17.03 f. and that
of Rye 16.411. The duties on importation and exportation
remain as before.
A letter from Liege, of the 27th, "says :—" Our rivers are
rising in an extraordinary manner._ The Meuse has risen
half a yard since yesOrday, and continues to rise. All the
lower part of the city is under water. Several accidents
are reported.
The ship Ville de Bruxelles, which left Antwerp in April,
1843, with colonists' for San Thomas, in Guatemala, has
just returned with a cargf: of indigo, mahogany, and
logwood, which will be sold by aucLion noon us the vessel
is unloaded. It brings very unsatisfactory accounts of the
state of the colony.
BRUSSELS, FEBRUARY 29.—The Sections of the Chamber,
at the request of the Minister of Finance, are engaged, laying
aside all other business, in examining the project of
law for the conversion of the Five per Cent. loans. Five of
the six sections have already named their reporters.
THE HAGUE, MARCH I.—The Second Chamber of the
States-General in its sitting of to-day, agreed after long de-
bates, to the following project of law : •
1. For completing the ways and means for the years 1844
and 1845, by a majority of 29.t0 25. -
2. For paying the debt to the Handelsmaatschappy (Com-
mercial Company), by 31 to 23.
3. For regulating the claim of his late Majesty King Fre-
derick William, by 39 to 12.
After which the Chamber adjourned indefinitely.—Staats
Courant, Feb. 29 and March 1.
AMSTERDAM, MARCH 2.—lt is with deep regret that we
have to announce that the Second Chamber of the States
General has had the courage to agree to the project of law
for an extraordinary income-tax, &c. We say that it had
the courage, for courage surely was necessary to pass such a
law, for the dangers 'which it threatens are great.—Amster-
dam Handelsblad, March 2.

THE AFFAIRS or OTAIIEITE.--The comments of
the F, each press on this debate are all of one character—
vituperative, prejudiced, and unjust, and have consequently
no claim upon the attention or consideration of a foreign
reader. One imputation, directed against ourselves, it may
not, however, be unnecessary to repel. These journals assume,
that " the Times, being the only London paper which an-
nounced on Tuesday the restoration of Otaheite to Queen
Pomare, must have obtained that information from the
British Government" (with whom-they persuade themselves
we stand high in favour) "communicated to Lord Cowley in
Paris on Sunday." If our Paris.contemporaries take the
trouble to inquire, they
will find that our special courier, with
the Monitcur of Monday last, containing the announcement
in question, left Paris at half-past nine o'clock, A.M. on
that day ; that he arrived in Boulogne, notwithstanding the
severity of the weather, in less than twelve-hours and a half
—that it being then low water,_the .Waterwitch steamer,
speeiaiiy engaged for us, could not leave the harbour of
Boulogne before one o'clock on Tuesday morning, and that
owing to the frightful state of the wind and sea, that
steamer could not make Folkestone before eight o'clock. A
special railroad train, ordered immediately on his arrival, en-
abled our messenffer to reach the Times-office shortly before
eleven o'clOck.
'file important news brought by him, we
published in a second edition in a few minutes after his arrival.
—Times.
One of the very few Tories:in the Leicester town-
council, being unable to sleep o' nights, because of the want
of a mace, has been endeavouring-to stir up his colleagues to
recover the " bauble" which they disloyally sold, on their
entrance to office, on the passing. of the new Act. It was
too bad," he said, to sell a royal et." _ Well Ito satisfy
him, the town-clerk searched the corporate records, to trace
the history of the mace. Alas fer royalty ! it turned out
that the " royal gift" was purchased -and paid for, by the
town of Leicester, in 1045, in cernsequence of- Char:es the
First and his soldiers having stolen the mace previously in
use 1 Fact plays sad havoc with romance.—Leeds Times.

We have received Madrid papers of the 24th and
25th ult. Alicaut held out on the 21st. The Junta
of Carthagena on the 18th declared the town and
province in a state of siege, and ordered the surren-
der of all arms except those belonging to the Na-
tional Guards. From Madrid the only intelligence
is, that the Minister of Finance is actively engaged
in schemes for raising money. None but fools will
trust him. On this subjectthe Paris Siecle justly re-
marks :—" The present dictatorial Government of
Spain having manifestly violated the Constitution by
acting in the absence of the Cortes, whose ratification
is indispensable, those who shall advance money to