The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-25 00:00:00

OATtnilly .%tll.

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1844

With the return of that great festival to which
this day is consecrated throughout the Christian
World, new duties as well as new enjoyments present
themselves to those whose lot has been cast " in plea-
sant places." To all such, whilst we would tender
ur hearty congratulations, after the cordial and good
old fashion of the primitive Church, we venture tc
address on this occasion a few words in the spirit o;
mere laymen—anxious to see the temporal condition
of our poorer brethren ameliorated by the timely aic
of private charity. Nor let it be accounted to us for
presumption, that we endeavour to discharge so re-

sponsible a task. It is impossible for us to resist the
strong impulse by which we are animated, on perus-
ing, day after day, the fearful accounts that come
before us of the destitution and suffering that in all
parts of the country fill our streets, at this inclement
season, with incessant spectacles of silent misery or
wailing hunger. The contrast of regal pomp and
glittering luxury with squalid wretchedness and
shivering nakedness is still more forcible, impressive.
and mournful in an imperial metropolis like ours.
where the extremes of society—throughout all its
ranks, conditions, associations, and aspects—are ne-
cessarily brought into daily, nay, hourly contact
Alas! for the terrible preponderance of wretched•
ness over comfort, of poverty over wealth, of priva-
tion over competence, of despair over festivity, which
is, concealed beneath the animated bustle and cease-
less din of this majestic London and its suburbs, with
their swarming population of twice a million of
human beings. That ever rolling tide of life and
motion—marvellous to the eye, and yet more mar-
vellous to the contemplation—must not be dwelt upon
too intensely by him who fancies that the din of man) 1
voices and the hum of toiling industry bespeak, of
course, a city of light hearts and contented labours.
If these brig►ht manifestations sometimes sparkle on
its surface, its deeper waters, like those of the
mighty hut polluted Ganges, sweep on their terrible

accumulation of the dying and the dead ;—the
emaciated corses of those who have perished by dis•
ease, by starvation, by the violence of others, by
their own suicidal despair ;—and the unresisting
victims of that undefinable malady, the most mortal
of all influences, physical or moral, a broken heart—
who abandon themselves to the stream, and welcome
' the accomplishment of their fate. It is in the by-
' way,s and neglected quarters of this emporium of

opulence and grandeur—it is in the sordid nooks,
dark alleys, infected courts, and revolting cellars of
straggling streets which are not thoroughfares—of
dilapidated tenements that are not houses—of garrets
that are roofless, of rooms whose bare walls are per-
vious to the rain and the cold, but are never venti-

.lated by the pure winds of heaven ; it is in such
i;localities as there that that immense community is
distributed in whose behalf we implore all, who have
the means of charity, to contribute whatever it may
4.s)lease them to give—be their dole large or small—
• towards a generous provision for the three great
-necessities of fuel, food, and raiment ;—necessities
-which, at this period, cling, like a primaeval curse, to
the desolate lot of poverty ; for we must not forget
that the distress which at this moment so widely and
sternly prevails in the districts inhabited almost ex-
clusively by our industrial population—is not of their
reeking. It is not the result of their misconduct. It
. does not flow from their idleness or their disinclina-
tion to better themselves in seeking for work. The
eliction which overwhelms them is twofold—defi-
' cieney of employment, and inadequate wages for any
employment obtained. This is not the place to dis.
:, cuss 010 causes of either of these phases of their

wretchedness. Enough for us that the evil exists,
and that they are not the authors of it.
Let those, then, among us, who on th:s day rejoice
in their family associations—in the interchange of
affectionate greetings and tokens between parents
and children, kinsmen and friends, the old and the
young, landlords and tenantry, the low and the high,
masters and servants, remember the wants of the
friendless and the famishing. Whilst they rejoice
and make merry, and perform or partake of the rites
of that hospitality whi..4l at this period is at once in-
dividual and national—amidst all the bright accom-
paniments of its festal cheeriness—let them pause to
regard the dreary distress of those who sit by un-
lighted hearths, to commune with hunger and their
tears, or wander in houseless misery from the de-
serted shambles where they huddle together at night,
to the unfrequented corners at which they stealthily
beg by day. Let the rich—and not merely the rich,
but those who possess only a simple competency—
bethink them that neither poor-laws, nor union
houses, nor charitable institutions devoted to specific
objects, can embrace the various classes even—still
less satisfy the craving wants—of the sons of desti-
tution and helplessness whom the severity of winter
and the deficiency of employment, at this time, throw
unfriended, unfed, unlodged, unclothed—upon the
wide world! Let them remember that it is now the
season, at which their faith as Christians, their bene-
volence as men, their duty as citizens, their own re-
lations as parents or children, as brothers or sisters,
protectors or friends—demand of those means a
present charitable donation, each towards alleviating
the sufferings, and solacing the misery of their indi
gent fellow-creatures. The magistrates of all the
police-courts are willing and unexceptionable reci-
pients of such bounty ; and the press does no more
than its duty in pleading for, and aiding in its distri-
bution. Nor can we conclude our humble appeal
(regretting, as we must, its imperfections and its
feebleness) without reminding the laity at large that
this work of charity especially devolves upon them.
We have fallen upon evil times, when the voices that
should have been raised in every church of the Esta-
blishment throughout the kingdom in advocating by
day and by night this holy cause, are more busied in
apologising for the offensive revival of exploded forms
and obsoleteceremonies, than in inculcating the noblest
precept of the Christian faith. If Churchmen, at war
among themselves, by reason of the vexations of
Puseyism, are so much preoccupied in uncharitably
imputing false motives to those who reject the Trac-
tarian innovations, let the laity teach the Churchmen,
by the most effective of all remonstrances, their
highest duty. Let the laity practice—if the Church
forget to manifest—" charity" to all men ; and come
forward with a mighty purpose, and as one man, and
with one heart, to " comfort and succour," to the ex-
tent we have mentioned, the desolate and the dis-
tressed.

Our attention has been called to a long letter,
signed " Scotus," which originally appeared in the
Edinburgh Evening Post, but has recently been re-
printed. It is an ably written and argumentative
protest, in effect, against certain doctrines advanced
in some of the speeches delivered at the general meet-
ing of Commissioners of Supply, Road Trustees,
Justices of the Peace, &c., for the county of Mid
Lothian, in Septembef.last, to consider of;the changes
contemplated; by the Government in the Currency of
Scotland. We give the intelligent writer full credit
for his demolition of the flimsy ground upon which
Viscount MEnvinLE,lat that meeting,:endeavoured to
postpone the discussion of the important subject in
reference to which it was convened—namely, the as-
sumption that the meeting could have no sufficient
data before them from whence) to infer what the Go-
vernment proposals would, be. This, in the face of
Sir ROBERT PEEL'S: emphatic declaration of June
last, that in the now ensuing session he would bring
forward measures for the regulation of the monetary
system of Scotland; similar to:, that which was then
before the House of Commons relative to the Currency
England—was rather too ,bold a plea of evasion.
But we cannot'extend our concurrence to the argu-
ment upon which " Scotus" endeavours to disprove
Lord DUNFERMLINR'S bold, but well-founded aver-
ment that the people of England bear the expense of
providing and maintaining ,the gold eireulation re-
quired for the purposes of aScotland.• In our opinion
both" Scotus" and Lord DUNFERMLINE take a limited
and one-sided view of the general bearings of the
gold currency question. Lord DUNFERMLINE argues
as if Scotland did wrong to moot the matter at all,
seeing that "she has had:the advantage" of retaining,
a small note currency, whilst England has been com-
pelled to substitute a gold coinage for her small-note
circulation, at the heavy expense and heavier incon-
venience, which his Lordship distinctly admits. If a
small-note paper circulation be an advantage to Scot-
land, why, we ask Lord DUNFERMLINE, should she
not retain it ? And if Scotland be entitled to retain
such an advantage, why should England be denied
it ? So much for the political equity ;of the case.
Our answer to the argument of " Scotus" it is not
necessary to extend beyond this point. Scotland, in
any case, can suffer from the expense or from the in-
convenience occasioned by a gold currency in a
relative proportion only to the vast aggregate of loss
,f capital, impediment to trade,':,artificially lowered
prices, depreciated wages, and increased poverty
which presses so fearfully on the energies of England.
But against this proportion of loss and inconvenience,
this fractional wrong sustained by Scotland, Scotland
has received and enjoyed uninterruptedly the entire
exclusive advantage of the small-note circulation,
which England has been deprived of for upwards of
three-and-twenty years. In these particulars we
hold that " Scotus" is under impressions as erroneous
'IS those which dictated some of the resolutions of the
Lanarkshire meeting a week or ten days ago—

namely, that it is possible for Scotland to be injured
by the PEEL nostrum, whilst England is benefited by
it ;—that it is unnecessary to the welfare of Scotland

!ould she succeed in rejecting that nostrum, tha

England be not still drenched with it : that that
monetary system which is good—nay indi3pensable—
for Scotland (in the judgment of the vast majority of
icotsmen) is neither good nor indispensable for
England, also. The truth lies in the converse of each
And every one of these propositions. England being
the great mart for the produce of Scotland, it is
evident that a system of metallic currency which
depreciates and keeps down prices here below their
fair remunerating level must speedily reduce the
prices Scottish produce can obtain, either within or
beyond her border, to the same fearful scale.
But we augur better things for Scotland and from
Scottish men. In the Inverness Courier we observe
s notice of an aggregate meeting (to come off on
Tuesday, the 17th instant) "of all parties in the
Town and Eastern portions of the County of Inver-
ness, favourable to the present System of Banking
in Scotland." The report of proceedings at the
meeting, which was to be held in the Castle of
Inverness, has not yet reached us. It will doubtless
be an interesting one. In other parts of Scotland—
Ross-shire, for example, the tenant-farmers are " up
and doing." Public meetings are being held" at
various points, and Committees are in organisation
for the convening of more, with this great object of
resisting the contemplated mesmerising of the exist-
ing circulation of Scotland by the Great Bullionist
Professor. And we are gratified to find that the
parties who take the lead in this remarkable move-
ment, address themselves to the general principle and
the particular case with equal energy. They de-
nounce the whole scheme of the Gold-standard
Currency set up by Sir R. PEEL here, whilst they I
express their determined resistance to its introduc-

tion into Scotland. Sir R. PEEL is likely to be
lurched, we think, in spite of the backing and silent
game which he has been craftily playing against
Scotland. He must, at any rate, show his cards.
Our readers, however, will be better enabled to judge
'or themselves, from the circular which has just
reached us, and which we subjoin, than from any
views of our own, of the spirit and earnestness with
which the Scotch are at length opposing the dan-
gerous experiment meditated by Sir ROBERT. This
circular is addressed

" TO THE PROFESSIONAL, COMMERCIAL, AND INDUSTRIAL

CLASSES OF ROSS-SHIRE.

"A preliminary meeting of farmers, commercial
dealers, and artisans, connected with the counties of
Inverness and Ross, was held at Beanby, on the ult,
" Thereat the expediency of holding an aggregate
meeting for those counties, to take into consideration
sir Robert Peel's threatened interference with the
Scottish banking system was fully discussed, and the
conclusion arrived at was, that, although it is extremely
desirable that a general meeting of those counties should
be convened,!yet considering the advanced season of the

year, and the extensive range of country embraced—
equal in extent to ten or twelve southern counties—it
would, on the whole, be more beneficial to the great end
in view, that local meetings should be held at places
central to the different districts.
" A numerous committee connected with Inverness-
shire was appointed, to promote meetings in that influ-
ential county, and from the zeal and energy of those
taking a lead in the movement, we may shortly expect
the most decisive results. To the undersigned was
entrusted the duty of calling the attention of the pro-
fessional, commercial, and industrial classes of Ross-
shire, to the urgent necessity of promptly holding meet-
ings at which their opinions may be expressed on this
most important question, and measures organized for
giving weight and efficacy thereto.
" The strongly expressed opinions of Sir Robert Peel
on the subject of the currency—the tendency of his
Currency and Bank Regulation Bills—the slight opposi-
tion which he experienced in passing these Bills through
Parliament—his allusions to the Scottish banking system
during the last session of Parliament—and the cautious
silence of the organs of Government on the subject (a
silence, which, had there been no intentions of change
entertained by the Government, would not have been
kept in face of the all but universally expressed opinion
of Scotland) afford just grounds for the strongest
apprehensions that a measure is in contemplation which
will impair the usefulness of our present banking system.
" The apprehension of s change in this admirably
conducted system (and the apprehension itself has pro-
duced serious evils) has roused feelings of indignation
and alarm throughout Scotland. In almost every one of
the southern counties and cities these feelings have found
utterance at public meetings, and have been recorded in
petitions to the Legislature. In our northern county,
also, our landed proprietors have spoken out on the sub •
ject. Does it befit the classes who depend on their
industry and on their credit, to remain silent at such a
crisis ? Our locality has derived benefits greater, pro-
bably, than any other portion of Scotland from the pre-
sent banking system—greater than in any other part of
Scotland would be the disasters caused here by a change
in that system, and consequent withdrawal of bank accom-
modation. Great in proportion should be our efforts to
oppose an injurious and uncalled-for interference with
a system under which our progress has been so rapid.
" On our brethren of the sister island it was deemed
inexpedient in 1842 to impose the income-tax. Ireland
is free from that heavy impost, Scotland now struggles
against the heavy impost of a gold currency and its
attending limitations. In this struggle let us—as it is
our duty and our interest—take the part that befits us."
(Signed by various Farmers, 3tc.)

Madrid journals of the 17th inst. have been re-
ceived, from which we learn that the discussion on
the Bill for the maintenance of the clergy was looked
forward to with much interest, not fewer than sixty
Members having proclaimed their decided opposition
to the measure. The Clamor Publico publishes a list
of all the capital executions which took place in
Spain, from the Ist of December, 1843, to the 13th
of December, 1844, under the BRAVO and NARVAEZ
Administrations. They amount to not less than 214.
The Three per Cents. were done at 32. at 60 days ;
the Five per Cents. at 22} for cash, and 22,1 at 60
days ; the Coupons at 261 at 60 days ; and the Debt
without interest at 6 for cash, and 6 3-16 at 60 days.

The meeting of the French Chambers is now
looked forward too with some interest. His MAJESTY
will open the session in person, as will be seen from
the following order issued on Sunday by the Com-
mandant of the First Military Division :—" The
KING will go on Thursday, the 26th, to the Palace of
the Chamber of Deputies, for the opening of the ses-
sion of the Chambers. The Lieutenant-General
commanding, par interim, the First Military Divi-
sion, informs the general officers who are in Paris,
and who may be desirous of accompanying his
MAJESTY on horseback, that the KING will, with
pleasure, see them join the cortege. They will as-
semble in the courtyard of the Tuileries at half-past
twelve o'clock." On the previous day the Chamber
of Deputies was to hold a preliminary meeting to
ballot for the Members who were to receive the KING
on his arrival at the hall of the assembly. It is
understood that M. SASSEY will act as Provisional
President, the two senior Members, M. GRAS PRE..
VILLE and M. DUPONT DE L'EunE, being absent on
purpose, on the ground of their strong political
principles. The contest for the presidency will be
between M. SAUZICT and M. DUPIN, and the former
being the candidate supported by the Government
will probably be elected. This, however, is by no
means certain. M. Deem has a very strong party,
and will be supported not only by the Opposition
Members but by a considerable number of other de-
puties, who were dissatisfied with M. SAUZET'S con•
duct last session, and are desirous to see a man of
authority and firmness in the chair. The Journal des
Debats, though a Ministerial paper, supports
M. DUPIN solely on these grounds—" We
supported," it says, " M. SAUZET when he
was opposed by other candidates than M.
DUPIN, and we would support him again under the
same circumstances. But are we to be prohibited
from adopting any other candidate than M. SAUZET ?
May we not be permitted to say, when the choice
lies between M. DUPIN and M. SAUZET, that the
former appears to us to be a more firm President, and
more capable of keeping the Chamber in order, and
governing the discussions, than the latter."
The domestic intelligence in these papers possesses
little interest. Great excitement continued to prevail
in Switzerland. The Government of Lucerne had
issued an order for calling the Landwehr, and it was
feared other cantons would follow the example.
The following are miscellaneous extracts from the
papers :

" A report was current that the King of the Belgians
had made preparations to return to Brussels, in conse-
quence of the reported division in his Cabinet. The
Siecle states that the King has suspended his prepara-
tions, and sent his secretary, Minister of the Household,
M. Van Praet, to Brussels."

The Phare of Bayonne, of the 20th, states " that M.
Capdevila, a merchant at Rosas, and performing the
functions of Vice-Consul of England at that pert, has
been arrested by order of the Captain•Gereral of Cata-
lonia, and sent under escort to Barcelona, on a charge,
it is said, of complicity in a plot to arouse the Lampur-
dan to insurrection against the Government."
" A Constantinople letter of the 4th, in announcing the
return of Sir Stratford Canning from his excursion,
states that he has resumed his negotiations with the
Turkish Ministry relative to the affair of Trebisond,
but had not met with the success which the circum-
stances warranted."

A letter from Rome, December 8, says—" Mon-
seigneur Capaccini has arrived in this capital on his re-
turn from his mission to Portugal. lie was immediately
received by the Pope and the Cardinal Lambruschini,
Secretary of State. Count de Boutenieff, the Russian
Ambassador, has just set out for Florence to present his
credentials to the Grand Duke. Several persons con-
sider this departure as a bad omen fur the di&rences
existing between the Cabinet of St. Petersburgh and the
110:y See. Others, on the contrary, believe that the
Ambassador's absence will be only momentary."
THE BOURSE—MONDAY, DEC. 23.

First Highest Lowest Last

_
Prioe. Price. Price. Price.
French Five per Cents.•.•.. 120 45 .. 120 50 .. 120 30 .. 120 35
Three per Cents..... 85 60 .. 85 60 .. 85 40 .. s 5 40
New LOW] •. • . .• . 86 90 .. 86 90 .. 86 90 .. 86 90
Bank of France •.•....2275 ..3275 ..2275 ..3275

Litiltte Bank, I,ooof. Sharealll7 50 ..1117 50 ..1115 ..1115
5,000 f. ShareesoBo ..4085 ..5080 "5085
Belgian Bank. ..•.
Belgian Flvee,lll4o .. 104 i .. 104} .. 104 .. 104

Spanish 'Threes • ... • • 38 .. 39 .. 38 .. 38
Active •• •. •••• • • .• 331 •• 331 • • 331 .. 34
Passive ...... 61 .. 6/ .. 61 .. 61
Portuguese Five per Cents.. 58 .. 58 .. 58 .. 58
NeapoUtan B6 10 .. 96 10 .. 96 10 .. 96 10
Roman ..•
RAILWAY SHARES.
Versailles, R. 8....

. ,
405 .. 415 .. 390 .. 400
1087 SO . 10S7 50 ..1050 ..1060

Ronan to Havre............ 835 .. 837 50 .. 825 .. 832 50
Orleans .............•...•.1145 ..1150 ..1125 —1132 50
Strasburg to 8a1e.......... 320 .. 320 . 311 25 .. 311 25
Avignon to Marseilles-- 937 50 .. 937 50 .. 923 .. 923
RAILWAYS FOR THE ACCOUNT. Jeri. 3.
St. Germain

Versailles- , R. 8.. • • . .. 520 .. 521 25 .. 510

.. 522 50

L.L............ 400 • . 420 .. 385 .. 400
Rouen lO9O ..1090 ..1041 25 ..1060
Rouen to Havre 837 50 .. 837 50 .. 817 50 .. 830
Orleans 1147 50 —ll5O ..1121 25 ..1130
Strasburg to Bale 321 25 .. 321 25 .. 307 50 .. 311 25
Avignon to Marseilles..." 937 20 .. 937 50 . 925 • .. 9L5

THE WATERLOO MODEL.--Captain Siborne, the
author of the "History of the Battle of Waterloo," has
just opened for public inspection at the Egyptian Hall
a model of a portion of the Battle of Waterloo. Some
years ago the first Waterloo model was exhibited at the
same place ; that model comprised the whole field of
battle, and a great part of the adjacent country. It re-
presented the battle at the period when the French Im-
perial Guard was attacked and defeated on their advance
to the British position, and to those who have not seen
the memorable field of Waterloo, afforded the best and
most comprehensive representation of the scene of strife
that can well be imagined. In :the present exhibition
the model displays only that part of the field on which
the splendid charge took place by the British heavy
cavalry, led on by the Marquis of Anglesey, and the in-
fantry by Sir Thomas Picton. For the details of this
part of the battle we must refer our readers to the little
bock which is to be had at the exhibition. The modeller
has certainly been most successful in placing before the
public one of the most complete representations of a
battle that such materials can afford. The roads, hedges,
trees, and houses, are formed with great correctness.
The crops, at that time growing in the field, are accu-
rately marked by a minute representation of their
quality, &c. Those figures of horses and soldiers repre-
sented in the act of moving appear to be more than
usually spirited and natural.
Lord Thynne, Sir John Johnstone, Bart., Hon. B.
R. Lawly, George Lloyd, Esq, and the members of the
York and Ainsty Hunt, gave a sumptuous dinner on
Friday last, at the Black Swan, York, to Ralph Creyke,
Esq., on the retirement of that gentleman from the mas-
tership of the hounds.

TIIR SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENJWG, DECEMnEIt 25, 1844

CHRISTMAS.

TO THE PEOPLE OF ENGLAND.

If there is a season of the year when the hearts of
an entire people glow with kindred feelings—if ever
the high and haughty unloose, however slightly, the
armour of selfishness which guards them impervious
from the contamination of the vulgar—if ever the
poor may dare to hope—to dream of realising those
bright visions of happiness, which ever haunt them,
aggravating their distress ;—yes, if ever there is a
time when the wide gulph between high and low is
partially closed up by kindly feelings, it is now—at
Christmas—once a year—this one oasis in the dreary
desert, when the happy few who have homes and friends
assemble round the domestic hearth to close the year
in sympathy and love, and even the hapless, hopeless
multitude, though bowed down by sorrow and crossed
by fate, feel a momentary glow of pleasure, and pause
one moment as on hallowed ground. A stranger
ignorant of the ways of men, on viewing the inter-
change of kindly sentiments which marks this happy
epoch, would hail with joy the dawn of better feel-
ings, would look forward to a happier system—end-
less improvements, universal sympathy, the poor
raised from their fallen state, and all men wiser,
kinder, better. Yes, such are the anticipations
such a scene might call forth, such the desires
often formed by the sanguine. But are they,
can they, ever be realised ? This is the ques-
tion 1 would ask the English people. I
would ask them now, when their hearts are filled
with kindly feelings—when their pride is hushed to
rest, I would ask them why, year after year, the
spirit of selfishness pauses on its destructive course
for a brief period—alas! how brief !—but to continue
with its old vigour, freezing all around, casting its
deadly chill on the heart's best thoughts ? Does it
not check the happiness of this hour to think that all
the good wishes, kind intentions, firm resolutions, and
bright hopes, which crowd around this day, are empty
forms—shadows without a substance—they were,
they are, and they will be; each Christmas witnesses
them—each year declares their vanity. Is it not so ?
Many will exclaim against this sentiment; but I would
ask them if England has been better since last Christmas?
Have the hopes of the new year been realised—does
'44 bear written on its page the records of any
greater deeds or better feelings than its predecessors?
Alas ! but one answer can be returned to those sad
questions. Last year was hailed, as all years have
been, with good wishes and prophecies of better
things—happy faces crowded round its cradle, and
the torch of Hope illumined its coming path. Its
race is nearly run: it is about to sleep with its fathers.
Who mourns it ?—who grieves for the old year ?
all turn to greet its young successor—the same hopes
and smiles await his infancy. Shall they, too, perish
—shall '45 go to the grave the same brief record of
clouded aspirations, countless tears, of broken pro-
mises, and endless sorrow caused by the wickedness of
man ? Do we not recoil from such a picture,
yet is it not a true one ? Why is this. Why, in the
nineneenth century, in the days of knowledge and
wisdom, do the wise and the great play the hypocrite.
In the land of freedom and industry, why are the in-
dustrious starving and slaves ? It is the spirit of self
that governs England—the golden rule which all
obey—" that they shall take who have the power, and
they may keep who can." It has been asked how it
can be that now, when the country is flourishing and
unrivalled in power and glory, when our fame is
spread to the remotest parts of the earth, while the
commerce of England sheds its blessings alike
in the palace of the Eastern monarch as in the
hut of the poor savage, how is it, that
while industry makes our land to flourish, the
children of industry, to whom we owe our grandeur,
struggle in vain, and are left to perish in their
wretchedness—even as the higher we raise the stately
edifice, the deeper the base, the support of all, must
be buried in the earth ? Is is not thus with us, and
is there no remedy ? Forbid it, Heaven ! Are not
all equal ? If the poor are compelled by the stern
laws of nature to toil for their daily bread, have the
great no duties ? Does property make a man irre-
sponsible—is money to be the standard of right and
wrong? Have we not made it so? Power is given
to be well employed—wealth to be properly diffused.
" Yes," the great may reply, " and we diffuse it well
—do we not give clothes and blankets to the poor—
do we not give alms to all who ask—are not our names
foremost in the subscriptions for charities ?"
This may he true—charity is a holy and blessed
thing—but it is not charity the people want, it is
justice ; it is not alms-giving, but the higher and
holier charity that looks on all men as brothers. This
-is the duty of the great, and how do they fulfil it ?
How many Noble Lords and Honourable Com-
moners, whose names are foremost in the lists of
charity, now sit in their happy homes, enjoying all the
comforts and luxuries of life, proudly deeming that
they are the most virtuous of men if they give from
their abundance a trifle to the poor, while many a
wretched father and tender mother see their darling
children cry for bread they cannot give them, because
these virtuous, charitable men place a tax on the food
of the poor, and rob the hungry of their bread ; they
withhold the just rights of the people, the very staff
and prop of life, and then at Christmas they
charitably give alms. This is a solitary
example—would it were the only one. This
year of promise is drawing to a close,
unmarked by any great or benificial change.
How many things were to have been
done last session ? The rulers of the land assembled
to legislate for the good of the country, and what did
they accomplish ? They were asked to remove the
tax on the people's food—they were asked to abridge
the hours of labour; they were asked—but what avails
it what they were asked, suffice it they did
nothing ! Yes, I believe they passed an Act about
dog-stealing. This is mournfnl—but who will dare
to say that it is not true ? I cannot look back on the
gloomy past without asking you—the British people
—if the future must remain the same ? Must all the
good feeling be thrown away ? Must the hopes of
this new year be quenched ? Shall our bright aspi-
rations of Christmas not survive the winter's snows,
but melt like them before the scorching heat
of self-love ? Shall good intentions vanish, and ice
and frost but be eternal in the human breast. Not
so. Though hoping is in vain, again I will dare to
hope. I will greet the New Year with fond expec-
tations, and they must be realised, for they are based
on the certainty that the English people will not be
wanting to themselves. Can a nation which has ever
been the foremost, not only in the battle field, but in
the good fight for principle—can such a nation be
back ward now ? It is in your power to be as great
within as you are glorious without. Let principle be
your guide. Let high and low combine. Are ye
not brethren ? Throw pride, and self, and hesita-
tion to the winds. Hesitate not. The welfare
of each depends upon all—the good of all are the well-
being of each. Join then, and let the kind feelings of
Christmas endure through the year and for ever; and
let this new year be the commencement of a long
course of general sympathy and mutual benefits !
" Your final triumph
Shall be the Resurrection of the Poor,
In those last days, when all mankind shall live
In one fair confraternity of Love !"
That such may be the blessings of this Christmas
is the heartfelt prayer of one whose proudest boast is
to remain

YOUR COUNTRYMAN.

THE FROST.—TIIE PARKS.—The weather con-

tinues exceedingly cold, the wind being most keen and
cutting, accompanied by frost. The thermometer at the
Receiving-house, Hyde-park, was during Monday night
down to 31 degrees, but at seven o'clock yesterday morn-
ing the mercury had risen to 331 degrees, and by twelve
o'clock (noon) to 34 degree's. In the early part of the
morning the wind shifted from N.E. to nearly S., but in
the course of the afternoon, it veered back again to E.
At seven o'clock last evening the thermometer had again
fallen to 32} degrees ; and the time of the full-moon (29
minutes past seven, P.m.), there was a fine sleet driving
with the wind, which was still East. The lovers of
skating disported themselves in considerable numbers in
the various parks during the day. No accidents occurred,
except in the Regent's-park, where two or three gentle-
men got into the water, but were speedily released by
the officers of the Humane Society.
FUNERAL OF MISS CLARA WEBSTER. ^ The
mortal remains of this talented and lamented actress
were yesterday consigned to their last resting place in
the General Cemetery, Kensal-green. The funeral pro-
cession left the late residence of the deceased, in Upper
Norton-street, shortly after one o'clock, the cavalcade
consisting of a hearse drawn by four horses, two mourn-
ing coaches, and two private carriages. The chief
mourners were Mrs. Webster, the mother of the de-
ceased, and Mr. Webster, jun., her son. The coffin bore
the following inscription —" Clara Vestris Webster, obiit
Dec. 17, 1844 ; attat 21."

MR. POLK ON THE TARIFF.
(From the Pennsylvanian, Oct. 31.)
As a set-off to the dozen of letters of Mr. Clay on
this fertile topic of Whig eloquence, we once more,
in the closing hour of the canvass, republish Mr.
Polk's ktter to Mr. Kane. It is the only expo-
sition of the views of our candidate, embarrassed
by no antagonist exposition, but addressed to all
parts of the Union, without modification or apology.
We offer it to our friends, as a renewed assur-
ance that under Mr. Polk's administration all the
interests of the country, so far as the President
can control them, will receive a fair and just protec-
tion • and to his opponents, we offer as a consolation
in their anticipated defeat, that this protection, just
and fair, will be extended to them with the rest of the
community.
" Columbia Tennessee, June 19, 1844.

" Dear Sir,—l have received recently several let-
ters in reference to my opinion on the subject of the
tariff, and, among others, yours of the 30th ult. My
opinions on this subject have been often given to the
public. They are to be found in my public acts, and
in the public discussions in which I have participated.
" lam in favour of a tariff for revenue, such a one
as will yield a sufficient amount to the Treasury to
defray the expenses of the Government economically
administered. In adjusting the details of a revenue
tariff, I have heretofore sanctioned such moderate dis-
criminating duties as would produce the amount of
revenue needed, and at the same time afforded reason-
able incidental protection to our home industry. I
am opposed to a tariff for protection merely, and not
for revenue.

" Acting upon these general principles, it is well
known that I gave my support to the policy of Gen.
Jackson's Administration on the subject. I voted
against the Tariff' Act of 1828. I voted for the Act
of 1832, which contained modifications of some of
the objectionable provisions of the Act of 1828. As
a member of the Committee of Ways and Means of
the House of Representatives, I gave my assent to a
Bill reported by that Committee in December, 1832,
making further modifications of the Act of 1828, and
making also discriminations in the imposition of the
duties which it proposed. That Bill did not pass, but
was superseded by the Bill commonly called the Com-
promise Bill, for which I voted.
" In my judgment it is the duty of the Govern-
ment to extend, as far as it may be practicable to do
so, by its revenue laws, and all other means within its
power, fair and just protection to all the great in-
terests of the whole Union, embracing agriculture,
manufactures, the mechanic arts, commerce, and
navigation. I heartily approve the resolutions upon
this subject passed by the Democratic National Con-
vention lately assembled at Baltimore.—l am, with
great respect, dear sir, your obedient servant,

" JAMES K. POLK.
" John K. Kane, Esq., Philadelphia."

SIR HENRY POTTINGER.

The following address has been transmitted to Sir
Henry Pottinger by the Directors of the Glasgow
East India Association:—

" Glasgow DQc. 5, 1844.
" To the Right Hon. Sir Henry Yottinger, Bart.,

G.C.8., &c.
" Sir,—The Directors of the East India Association
of Glasgow beg very respectfully and heartily to con-
gratulate you on your return to your native land,
laden with well-merited honours, and possessing in a
degree which has seldom before been awarded to
public service, the gratitude and confidence of the
commercial body in the United Kingdom.
" The Directors of this Association, though, from
particular circumstances, behind others in presenting
to you this address, cannot admit that they fall short
of any in their sense of what is owing to you as the
instrument by which such signal honour has accrued
to the arms of Great Britain, as well as to her mo-
deration and diplomatic skill.
"Everything that could be done on your part has
been accomplished ; but, it has been the opinion of
this board from the beginning, that, though no stipu-
lation appears in the treaty with China whereby its
fair and liberal tariff should be met by a corresponding
fairness and liberality in regard to duties on our side,
yet that it is evidently expected, and is morally due.
Without it, in short, your achievements, both military
and diplomatic, are left in an unfinished and almost
fruitless state.

" We, therefore, earnestly hope that this deside-
ratum may speedily be supplied; that you may see
the full effect of your operations, and be long spared
in health and honour, in some distinguished field of
usefulness, to enjoy the consciousness of having so
greatly promoted your country's welfare—of having
so materially helped to open a way for introducing
into China the blessings of civilisation and Christianity,
and of possessing the grateful respect of all your fel-
low-subjects.
" Signed by order, on behalf of the Directors,
"D. WALKINSHAW, Chairman.
"A. WARDROP, Secretary."
To the above, Sir Henry has sent the following
reply :--

FLANDERS MAIL.
(RECEIVED THIS I)AY.)
BRUSSELS, Dm:. 22..—The Council of Mini:Jets
met to-day, and sat for three hours.
Their iNlajebties the King and Queen are expected
to return from Paris on Tuesday next.
Reports having been spread concerning the nen'
tiations with France, announcing that Belgium would
renounce the reprinting of French books, a COln'
mittee of the principal printers of Brussels has been
formed, which met lately, and will have another
meeting to-morrow, for the purpose of appointing
financial commit+ee. They mean to invite the
printers in the chief towns of the kingdom to join
them in petitioning the Legislature on this important
subject. The petitions are not to be presented Oil
the reports in circulation should prove to be "Fell
founded.

The Minister of Public Works has pronounced 1
project of law relative to a reform in the Post-office.
It was to be brought forward before the end of the
year. The late debate in the Chamber doubtless pre•
vented the Minister from keeping his promise. France
and all the countries round about are turning their
attention to this important question. There is a Tel
interesting article on this subject as it concern°
France in the Journal des Debats.—Brussels Papem
Dec. 23.

BELGIAN FUNDS.—Baussin.s, Dee. IL
Actua Debt, 2% per Cent., ........
Rothschilsi's Loan, Five per Cent ............
Loan of Thirty Millions, Four per Cent... ...... "71
Three per Cent. ~........
Thirty-seven Milli, us, ditto
leB4
Loan of City, 1643, Four per 10
183.
Society of Commerce, Four and a Half per Cent
Bank of Belgium, Five per Cent /3VI

—. ....................•.....
—.srussels Papers,WW.227"
AUSThIAN FUNDS.—lrtaxes, Day. 16.
Five per Cents. Metalliques......, ........ ........... 1104
Four par Cents. lOOll
Three per Cents. TO
Rank Shares ... ......•••.•
loft
Loan, 1634
. ..... "•••••
Ditto, 1830 -
Esterhazy's Loan ... -
-Allgemeke Zeitung. Doe. 19.

TILE METROPOLITAN PRISONS FOR
metropolitan prisons for debt presented a very differcoa
appearance on Christmas-day last to what ;they d 0
the present occasion. In Whitecross-street prison 01`'.
were this time last year upwards of 300 debtors, Pot
now they do not exceed 130, notwithstanding a greoz
influx within the last fortnight—no fewer than serif°
persons haring taken up their abode there in thatre9;ee
The prisoners will each receive a piece of beef snln
too
bread, and on New Year's-day a similar suPPlYiewto this
Queen's Prison there are but comparatilad with an
number of last year, and they will be ferns abo
allowance of food, besides other assistanchee' 800
Marshalsea prisoners are confined in t the Pri-
prison, and in the Act consolidating made
Sonora, passed two years ago, provision
particular
in regard to the contributious to those PAnly27
prisoners. In llorsemonger-lane there are 742 the
debtors. The whole number of debtors condne4 -under
three metropolitan prisons is at the present pet , ee%
300, which is about a third of the inmates (d. last
The Act of last session, abolishing execution on_f the
not exceeding 201., has certainly been the cause,. vendo
present appearance of debtors' prisons, both in
and the country—in the latter, the prisons are - Act
deserted by debtors. Creditors complain that the and
of last session regarded the convenience of debtors, leo
neglected the interest of creditors, the latter beingk
is
to the honesty of the former, and compelled to *6l,i, of
" bondman's key" for their money. By A set 10$
last session, it appears that there were in !all.; tbsli,
between 3,000 and 4,000 debtors, of which Wl' 0
1,500 were confined for debts, exclusive of CO"st
under 101.
•
ALLEGED DEATH OF A CHILD FROM erg
gisete
Yesterday evening Mr. Baker held an adjourned i°-tact,
at the Ship, Anthony-street, St. George's-in-oi% It
on the body of Elizabeth Sutton, aged ten Yeer-o.ther
appeared that the deceased was living with her Oh 0••
and father, who is a working man, at No. 5, Atite:lisd
street. About a week ago her father, for whom s'-5 re,
a great affection, met with an accident and wa,..coe
s
moved to the London Hospital. Ho kissed her 're'
being removed there, which circumstance, it '4°o
marked, excited in her a strong emotion, .7..ga fro
ode
time she complained of pains in her heat and sifftbed
She was continually wishing to go see him. '''"iitiott
suddenly on Friday last. A post mortent exain'riwer?,
was made by Mr. Garreja, when the intestines th,
found extensively in
SUDDEN Dr " A
-.TI' IN A CAII.—CoBoNZA t the
QUEST. fl.dmed. Verdict, " Ntiteralde*/r
—YP-sterday afternoon an inquest was heldc9orter'
Tavern, Westminster-road, before Mr. W. 004
C:oroner for Surrey, on the body of an elderlY,senli
named Woods, a retired newsvender, who died sunmelle,
in a cab. The deceased had resided near the le .40
and was on his way to the house of his datrbter, jot,
lived in Belvidere-road, Lambeth, on Friday „oifs
when the cabman, on opening the door, found him
dead. Medical assistance was procured by the (Dingy the
but of course was of no avail. Verdict--" Died
visitiom of God.
APOPLEXY MISTAKEN FOR DRITNKEINSS-P:0411-
terday Mr. Baker held an inquest at the Cu bol'
Head, City-road, on view of the body of too'
Fergusson, an artist, aged thirty-two, whose deetniefil
place under the following circumstances, from sear o'o
which was mistaken for intoxication 5P 0t
from the evidence that the deceased lived inn'
street, St. Luke's. On Saturday afternoon lastn*bog 1.4
five o'clock, he was on his way home, and pas to feP
St. Luke's Church, 01d-street, when he was seen elate
on the pavement. He was supposed to be in a there
of intoxication, and he was allowed to remain..
for an hour before any assistance was offered to ";erotia
stranger passing, finding that he was in a Ong Or,
situation, took him to the surgery of Mr. Bruce'
geon, of the neighbourhood, where he rereanno for
eleven o'clock. He was treated by that gentle:o
an attack of apoplexy, and between eleven and fjpOn
0w
o'clock was removed to St. Luke's workhouse. b Mr•
his arrival at that institution he was seen 'state
Courtney, the parish surgeon, who found him *death.
of insensibility, in which he remained till his after
which occurred about three o'clock on Sundt**
noon. On a post modem examination of the he! bate
Mr. Courtney, a large blood-vessel was founditr'erdiet,
ruptured, which was the cause of death.
" Natural death." , wor'
FIRE IN BISHOPSGATE-STREET.—YOSteroaJo ke on;
ing, between seven and eight o'clock, a fire briii,bopr
on the premises of Mr. Pringle, grocer, No• 77, h pro'
gate-street, and which was not subdued until roncei c.one
perty had been destroyed. The shop has 1111
most extensive damage, it being all but constin3oef'tbo
well as the apartments beneath. The upPerviea,:r,
building is also much injured by smoke and
property is i sured in the Guardian Fire-office'
Joy A
DEATH FROM A TRIFLING Cur.---"Yesterhurc b•
young man of the name of Dawson, living in C
„der
street, Millbank, died in Westminster Hospital foe
daysvery
before
melancholy
h ewas
chopping
was somet
haepnp
which he slightly cut his thumabi;ieliceetooto. kinneoatil;?':a had
at the time, but finding it afterwards got ;gorse be Ile
laiedamtiottnedmaildleto totheit, e_
,:o,
quickly ensued, from the effects Ad which be died.
was a man in the • •ht
prime of life.
rift
EXTENST"YE BURGLARY IN THE ClTY.—Last
troP°--8 info rration was received at the various me , te and
which' nad no ff
;'olive-stations of an extensive robbery of P,la mud-
ewellery having taken place at the house of N
Queee,_,„ the
iilosnit.al, but mortificalie
deli, No. 6, Little St. Thomas Apostle,
Cheapside, the house having been broken into daring t•
absence of the family, on the night' of the 13th 1
of
A reward of 304 .is offered for the apprehension fr
thieves.

" 80, Eaton-place, Belgrave-square,
"London, Dec. 13, 1844.
" To the Directors of the East India Association of

Glasgow.
" Gentlemen,—l have had the honour to receive an
address, signed on your behalf by your chairman and
secretary, which you have been so good as to transmit
to me, accompanied by your congratulations on my
return to England from my recent mission in China.
" I beg that you will believe that I am very truly
obliged and highly flattered by the sentiments which
that address contains towards myself personally, as
well as of my procehdings, and it is perhaps almost
superfluous for me to add that I warmly unite my
humble voice in the applause which you bestow on
her Majesty's forces of all arms, and from whose exer•
tions such signal honour has accrued to them.
" I cordially concur in the view you express as to
everything being done that circumstances will permit
to meet the Chinese tariff by liberality on our side,
in regard to duties ; and it is most highly satisfactory
to me to be further enabled to say, that I consider
the commercial interests of the two empires to be so
completely identified by the treaty, that what is bene-
ficial for one party, must, I conceive, be equally so
for the other.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
W
THE DARING AND ESPIEGLE.— nThese two ~ehe
experimental brigs, which are considered to be to
best of the experimental squadron, are, it is A
have another trial, the Admiralty having acceded
O
proposition to that effect made to them by the co;
mittee of Naval Architecture, the designers of
Espiegle.
The Act eon, 26, the Racehorse, 18, and itangebr►
10, were commissioned at Devonport on Saturday
their respective commanders.
111.
The Caledonia, 120, Captain Milne, was paid
vance wages at Devonport on Monday. ifeff
The Savage, 10, Lieutenant Commander Bow
has been paid off at Devonport. +
The Emerald, tender, arrived at Devonpor• -
Portsmouth on Sunday with supernumeraries. Yo
The Flying Fish, 12, Commander Harris, sincl;ol
taloon, 8, Commander Wilson (acting), wilLA—sir,
their repairs completed at Devonport by Thur,-0
As usual, the surveyor's vessels first on and last
the doctor's list. # De'
Nearly all the caulkers of the establishment -90,
vonport have been sent to work on the Albion'
Capt. N. Lockyer, C.B. taker'
The Mutine, 12, Commander Crawford, wasVs-
into dock at Devonport on Wednesday, after the i,ri•
terwitch was taken out, and was undocked on ring
day. Mr. Fincham, her designer, has been or he,
tending her alterations. She has had several ine
of false keel put on.
61 05'
The Espiegle, 12, Commander Thompson, and
prey, 12, Commander Patten, are quite cortiP,i -
le,:"00;
Devonport. The Daring, 12, Commander 311'N ;
Cruizer, 16, Commander Fanshawe ; Mutine,
and Waterwitch, 8, Commander Birch, were c°
re
pleted yesterday. f,tor
DEVONPORT, DEC. 22.—There is no Man.° hot
in Plymouth Sound, but above a hundred rnereud
vessels of all sizes are lying wind-bound in the you
and Catwater. f the
Captain Thomas Huskisson (1811), brother he
late Chancellor of the Exchequer, the senior oaPf the
of Greenwich Hospital, died on the raorningteva•
21st. He was a midshipman of the Defence 101 Li'
falgar, and in the Foudroyant at the capturieso7,
nois's squadron. He was at Copenhagen 1..,11„„ Flag'
the Prince of Wales, of which ship he an st"
Lieutenant ; commanded the Pelorus slooP 'n
eloupe in
tack on the batteries of Point Pitre, Gua
1809, and at the capture of a privateer at that pirp.
and also at the reduction of the island. Ile was
pointed to Greenwich Hospital in 1830.
d'

" In conclusion, I request that you will individually
and collectively accept my best thanks for your kind
wishes.

" I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, your very
obedient and humble servant, .

" HENRY POTTINGER."

Sir Henry, in transmitting the foregoing answer,
says that " he will have great pleasure in dining
with the merchants of Glasgow when he goes in that
direction, which will be in the spring."

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
(RECEIVED THIS DAY.)
BETTING AT MANCHESTER.—TUESDAY.
DERBY.
35 to 1 agst Old England—
taken to 501.
40 to 1 agst Minikin colt
40 to 1 agst Fitzallen
7 to 1 about Scott's lot—
offers to take
10 to 1 agst Dawsop.'s lot

11 to 1 agst Alarm
16 to 1 agst Idas
18 to 1 agst hedger
18 to 1 agst Cobweb colt
22 to 1 agst Pam
30 to 1 agst Newsmonger
30 to 1 agst Rebecca colt
33 to 1 agst c out of Calypso's,
dam

CHE
40 to 1 agst Extempore
40 to 1 sgst Winesour

:11 CUT.
40 to 1 agst Porto Bello
No other named.

HIGHWAY ROBBERY ON BLACKHEATH.—Yester-
day morning information was received by the police,
' that between ten and eleven o'clock on the previous
night the following daring highway robbery was com-
mitted on Blackheath. It appears that as Mr. Edward
Hope was crossing the heath he was met by two men,
who stopped him, and one of them pulled him down to
the ground, robbed him of 201. in gold, which was con-
tained in his fob-pocket, which they tore off. They
also took from him a blue cotton handkerchief, with
which, and the money, they immediately made off before
Mr. Hope's cries could bring assistance. Mr. Hope
describes the ruffiars, as one about forty-five years
of age, about five feet four inches high, and wore a blue
clock and black hat ; the other about twenty-five years
of age, five feet seven inches high, thin face, and dressed
in a brown Petersham coat and a travelling cap.
HORRIBLE ACCIDENT.--BLAENAVON.-011 the 11th
instant, Thomas Pritchard, a mason, in the employ of
Mr. C. H. Leigh, was working upon the roof of the forge
called the Glynn, when by some mishap he lost his
balance, and fell through the roof, directly upon the fly-
wheel, which turns round with a resistless velocity. The
work of death was soon completed ; ho was so mangled,
crushed, and torn, that an endeavour to recognize him
would have been vain, had not his dress been identified.
The day after the funeral his jaw-bone was found. An
inquest was held upon the body, and a verdict of " Acci-
dental death" returned. The poor fellow has left a wife
and two children.—Hereford Times.
WARE BRIDGE.—This work, which has for some
weeks been suspended, has again commenced, and
labourers are now employed in drawing the old piles and
coffer-dams, preparatory to throwing the iron girders (a
portion of which have arrived) across the river. The
operations have been delayed, in consequence of the
iroa work not being ready, and the narrow pass of the
temporary bridge has caused much inconvenience to the
public traffic.—Cambridge Advertiser.
EDUCATION IN FOCHABERIL—The late Mr. Milne
of Philadelphia—a native of Fochabers—bequeathed the
munificent sum of 20,0001. sterling, for erecting an edu-
cational establishment in the place of his nativity to be
free to the children of all Christian denominations within
the town of Fochabers and parish of Bellie. The greater
part of the bequest being now realised, the directors
appointed by Act of Parliament for carrying into effect
the will of the benevolent testator, lately requested the
following gentlemen to give in designs for the building,
viz., Mr. Simpson of Aberdeen, Mr. Hendei son of Edin-
burgh, Messrs. Reid of Elgin, Messrs. Jones of York '
and Mr. Mackenzie of Elgin. After several meeting of
the directors, and the fullest consideration of ttiV Curious
elegant designs, those given in by Mr. 144,,ekenzie we4.o
preferred and adopted.—lnverness COUTieF. -