The Sun.
London, England, 1828-10-24 00:00:00

" FAIR PLAY IS A JEWEL."

Some atrociously malignant handbills and songs hav-
ing been recently published, with a view to prejudice and
inflame the minds of the unthinking—to libel honourable
►nen—and to injure a cause which is the cause of every
lover of the Protestant Constitution, I call on the Men of
Kent to treat the dastardly libellers with the contempt they
deserve.

It is attempted to persuade the people of this County,
that the •Protestants are eager to shed the blood of their
Catholic fellow-subjects. The imputation is false, and
they who gave birth and circulation to it know it to be
false; but at the present moment, they feel they have no
chance of bringing Catholics into Parliament, but by taking
the narrow and crooked path of dishonourable misrepresen-
tation.

Some observations made by Sir J. W. H. Brydges and
Mr. Wells, at a late public meeting, have been shamelessly
tortured into a meaning they never were intended to con-
vey, and more particularly have the slanderers endeavoured
to excite a popular feeling tTainst Mr. Wells, one of the
worthy Representatives of Maidstone. Every man who is
personally acquainted with that gentleman knows that there
breathes not a man more desirous to preserve the tranquil-
lity of the country. His station la life—his pursuits—his
habits—and his connexions all bear unanswerable testimony
against the charge that he is desirous of exciting to civil
commotion.

In the warmth of a Public Meeting, when adverting to
the sanguinary language of Irish Demagogues, whose con •
ataut theme is the progmstication cr threat that a deadly
and sanguinary struggle mutt decide the present unhappy
dissensions, Mr. Wells used expressions, which perhaps a
more wily politician, might have avoided, but where is the
true Englishman who does not, to the fullest extent, ap-
prove of the sentiment which it is evident Mr. Wells in-
tended to express. His meaning was (and. they who
misrepresented him know it was so) that if the Catho-
lics were to put their threats into execution—if they were
to attempt the extermination of theia opponents, if they were
to appeal to the sword—threats of which, for ever and for
aye, are thundered in the ears of the Protestants, he (Mr.
Wells) though a man ad.anced in years—he though the
father of children—he though possessing a great pecuniary
interest in the peace of the country—would hazard his
personal safety—his domestic happiness—his property—
and even his life—in defence of the Protestant Constitu-
tion. This was the true meaning of the Hon. Gentle-
man's words, and I feel Convinced that all honourable and
respectable men on either side will do him justice in this
respect, however it may suit the dark designing plans of a
few unprincipled persons to hold up him and others as
objects for public odium.
I make this appeal to the liberality and candour of the
Men of Kent, with the earnest desire of doing justice to a
worthy and most. estimable character, but at the @ante tune,
one of my principal objects is to remove from the Protes-
tants generally the imputation so falsely and so foully cast
upon them. I wish to open the eyes of the Alen of Kent
to the insidious endeavour now making to raise the cry of
popular clamour against a body of men whose station--
character—and evident interest present the strongest gua-
rantees for the uprightness of their intentions, and their
desire to preserve the tranquillity of the country.
Men of Kent, act fairly and honourably. Act upon the
old and honest maxim that " Fair Play is a Jewel." Do
not, while advocating what you consider the cause of
Justice, forget what is due to individuals. The laurel of
Victory is lovely to the eye and gladdening to the heart of
him who fairly wins and wears it, but it withers on the
brow, and is only a reproach and a disgrace when purchased
at the expence of justice, of honour, or of truth.
Oct. 22, 1828. A FREE MAN.

On all the walls and sides of houses along the roads are
posted hills with " No Popery."

THE KING'S HEALTH.

L ETON, THURSDAY EVENlNG.—Yesterday his
Majesty again came down to dinner,• and to-day the
answer given by his attendants to all inquiries is,
that his Majesty's health is rapidly improving. He
was so much better yesterday that orders were given
to have the phaetons in readiness for a drive to-day,
and there is no doubt they woldd have been used
for that purpose had the weather permitted ; but we
have had very heavy rain here all day.
I have just learned that the Earl and Countess of
Harcourt, Lord Lowther, and Mr. Commissioner
Adams, dined
.with his Majesty yesterday, and he
did not retire from table till ten o'clock ; so that it
would seem that the Royal health is such that the
Quidnuncs may make themselves perfectly easy at
present.

The young Queen of PonTuGAL, attended
by Lord CLINTON, General SALDANIIA, and the Ladies of
her suite, isited Westminster-abbey yesterday morning,
and was conducted over that venerable pile by some of the
Prebends. Her MAJESTY then proceeded to the ilouse of
Lords, where she was received by Sir T. Tyawrirrr,
Usher of the Black Rod, who attended the QUEEN and her
suite during her stay. Her MAJESTY and suite went in
the afternoon to the Argyll Reorns, and witnessed the per-
formance of the comic burletta of Harlequin, judge and
Client, and the battle of Algiers, at the Theatre du Petit
Lazary, under the management of Messrs. MA YFEY. At
the performance no person was admitted excepting those of
her MAJESTY's suite.

We understand that the forthcoming Novel
of ,4 Zillah, a Tale ofithe Holy City," will possess some
share of interest for classical as well as religious readers,
since the author travels over the ground between Brundu.
shun and Rome, which forms the subject of Iloaices
Fifth Satire, and has introduced that Poet, his friend
Valtom, and several of their Roman contemporaries, into
his work.

On Tuesday a drill serjeant and two.druininers
were seen enteringday
,C,fovtheiteltiigivatitithisetsa;gethteity)o‘rv.
siun was a field tTerliill7sp:ccetead
by Col-Oral livsTats, and their uniform was found in a
state of perfection with the exception of three pair of panta-
loons whiskers damaged ;
instant orders too
lerswsenr'elli' '
ssileu(il head-quarterstfl7nPaoi' for the en-
largement of the pantaloons and the renovation of the
whiskers.

MRS. COO K E.-- ine trial of- So PM I A
COOKE, alias SUTTON, alias SmINDEas, against whom, and
a man named GODFREY, alias BARICATT, a trims bill has
been found for stealing a pianoforte,• the property of Mr.
RATIIMACH ER, of Soho-square, was to have taken place
this morning at the Old Baley, but it was postponed till
Monday, on account of ei, lady having, within the last
few days, given birth to a thumping boy in Newgate.