The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-27 00:00:00

IJ'r

LONDON, MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 1845.

We publish, in another column, two documents,
which, though they come before the world in a very
unpretending form, will be found not less remarkable
for the pod sense they embody than for the good
feeling that pervades them. We allude to "An Ad-
dress presented to JAMES MATHESON, Esq., M.P.,
with a silver snuff-box, by the working classes of the
borough of Ashburton," and to the answer of the
Hon. Member to that address. There is a touching
tone of simplicity and earnestness- about the one—a
frank and manly truthfulness about the other—which
stand out in refreshing contrast to the more studied
and more excited displays of reciprocated compliment
and professions, that have become, of late, so common
at agricultural protection and other county meetings.
There is, to be sure, in the documents we speak of, no
pattern-Duke—no " farmer's friend" (and landlord)
besprinkled with flattery " that licks the dust." There
is no parade of magnanimous self-denial or self-gratula-
tion,: by the wealthy landowner and man of office,
on conceding to his tenants the enviable privilege of
destroying rabbits and hares, provided they leave, in-
tact, the pheasants and the partridges for his exclu-
sive sport, at the cost of whatever ravages these in-
violable game may meanwhile commit on their
gro wing crops. This is an affair altogether of
genuine, hearty, personal respect, on the part of a
constituency for their representative—on the part of
the representative, for his constituents.
We need hardly remind our readers that Mr.
MATHESON is one of the most eminent among that in-
valuable body of British merchants who have
amassed in remote countries—in China, for
example—enormous fortunes, by the ability, judg-
ment, and high integrity with which they have con-
ducted their vast commercial operations. Since his
return from China, he has become the proprietor of

the large island of Lewis ; and, enormous as was the
purchase-money he paid for that vast extent of ter-
ritory, we have no doubt, from the observation we
have devoted to his most useful career, that he will
more than redeem all the high anticipations which Dr.
PATRICE. CAMPBELL, eighty years ago, had formed,
in respect of the Lewis and of its vast natural ca-
pabilities and undeveloped resources. The sagacious
and well-informed author of the " Political Survey of
Great Britain" predicted that, whenever the energy of
capital, directed by a spirit of judicious as well as
liberal enterprise, should be brought to act upon that
extensive region of the Hebrides ; the product of its
fisheries alone would surpass any preconceived no-
tions that might have been formed of it. It is
certain that so enormous an extent of coast line, in-
dented with so many creeks, small bays, deep locks,
and natural harbours, offers facilities for such a trade,
which the improved commercial means of Ireland,
that may be calculated on as certain to result from
the rapid extension of railway communications
throughout the length and breadth of that fine coun-
try, will, in two or three years, stimulate to unprece-
dented activity and importance. The distinguished
privilege of providing a permanent market for the
enterprise of many thousands of, perhaps, the hardiest,
Ind certainly of some of the most intrepid and in-
dustrious of his countrymen, could not have fallen
into hands that might be expected to use it more
liberally or beneficially than those of Mr. MATHESON.
But this gentleman will seldom receive, we appre-
hend, a more honourable or a less equivocal testimony
to his public and private character than is pourtrayed
in every line of the address from the borough of Ash-
burton. Two thousand of the poorer, but assuredly
not of the least intelligent, of his constituents, sub-
scribe their humble mites to purchase a snuff-box ;
and this they present to him with that warm and even
enthusiastic expression of their respect and gratitude
which we this day bring under the notice of our
readers. We abstain from further commentary upon
it—only because it speaks so emphatically for itself,
to the honour of those from whom it emanates, and
of him to whom it is addressed. Mr. MATHESON'S
answer is one of genuine acknowledgment, such
as was due to so genuine a compliment. He accepts
their present in the language of a man deeply sensible
how much the manner of a graceful act may enhance
the matter; and with equal good taste and generosity
receives their souvenir, as if it had been a diamond-
studded box transmitted from a crowned head. It is
evident that he rightly appreciates, above the price of
all the jewels that could have decked it, the "good-
will towards him," of which it is the token. We
have been particularly struck by the considerate sen-
timent, forcibly and happily expressed in this passage
of his answer. "The testimony in question," he says,
" is the more gratifying from the manner in which it
has been arranged; for, first, it is a source of satis-
faction to me to know that none of the contributors
have been put to inconvenience by the share they
have borne in it ; and, secondly, the large number of
those who have joined in presenting me this gift is
the best possible proof of the unanimity of feeling
which suggested it, and the harmony of opinion
which it is designed and intended to convey."
On the progress of free trade, " meaning thereby the
abolition of all merely productive duties," he ex-
presses his entire concurrence in the sentiments
of his constituents—holding its practical establishment
to be calculated for the certain benefit of the world
at large; but, for the especial and palpable advantage
of Great Britain, from the nature of her present
position and relations, he deems it would as surely
operate, as he conceives it to be absolutely essential.
This very important topic is handled with all the
effect which might to have been expected from a
gentleman of his large experience and high practical
authority. But the views he announces:, as to the
vital exigencies that call, on all hands, for the
most extended diffusion of the blessings of edu-
cation, are such as nitist ratify, to the latest
period of their connexion, the claims upon
their affection and regard which Mr. MATHESON has
evidently established among the townspeople of
Ashburton. He alludes to the crime, disease, and
misery still operating in England, and to their causes
and he remarks that—" For these evils, education,
intellectual, moral, and religious, with training to
habits and practices as well as professions of good,
will be found the most effectual cure." He concludes
by exhorting his friends to bring up their children
in liberal principles. It is not likely they will
forget an admonition given by a gentleman who
in his own person has nobly illustrated the
influence of those principles on character. Of his
response to the honest and fervent wishes expressed
in the address, for the continuedlhappiness of himself
and his lady, it is unnecessary for us to say more than
that they breathe the same open and friendly spirit as
the rest of his reply ; but we have rarely perused two
documents of so much higher and more earnest a cha-
racter than those elicited in the usual routine of such
affairs ; and' we have only to add our humble feli-
citations to those of Mr. MATHESON'S Ashburton
friends. He well deserves them.

The new sect which has sprung up in the Church,
like all new sects, proclaims that it alone maintains
the true faith, and that the religion of PUSET,
NEWMAN, and their followers, is sanctioned by Divine
as well as human authority. The sceptical public—
fur in these days a clergyman's word is not gospel—
naturally require proofs of these claims; they judge
of the tree by its fruit, and of the faith which a man
professes by his works. This test, fortunately, was
applied by the Protestants of Exeter, last week, to
their bishop, and the unfortunate young man