The Sun.
London, England, 1819-01-29 00:00:00

501

into the sea ; the fields were deVaatated, and thL
vintage entirely destroyed.

PETERSBURGII, JAN. L—'Tie trnperor

expected here the sth inst.

•
The most aged persons do not recollect so
mild a winter as tl►e present."

The pertinacity of the OPPOSITION on the sub-
ject of Cash Payments at THE BANk, affords a
striking specimen of what may be expected from
there during the Session. They seem to be to-
tally ignorant that the Uold Specie has vanished
from circUlation, or to consider this important
fact as baiiing no bearing oti the question. If more
Gold Currency were issued, it must obviously
share the same fate. It is evident, from the Re-
port of the Commissioners appointed for inquiring
into the mode of preventing the FOrgery of tank
Notes, that the Bank liirectors haVe been

incessant in their endeavours to ascertain
the means for accomplishing so desirable an end.
But the attempt is surrounded with difficulties.
The ingenuity which has been employed for the pur-
pOie ha's been amply reeompenced by the tank,
if its efforts have not been successful: It should
be observed, that if the forgeries have hitherto
deteived the nicest eYe', how can it be supposed that
they would be deiected by people in general, in the
ordinary course of trade ? The Bank is still un-
ceasing in its endeavours to p9riVent the repetition
of fraud, and the consequent increase of Criminals,
and all that human skill and diligence can effect
•
for such beneficial purposes, the Public may 'con-
fidently hope to obtain. With respect to the
clamours which have been made against the pu-
nishment of offenders of this description, it might be
imagined, by the whining and vehemence of the
Party Writers and Speakers, that these offenders
had been brought into difficulty merely by mis-
fortune, and not by guilt. It was justly observed
by Sir MATTHEW HALE, a Judge distinguished
for piety as well as for learning and humanity,
that if pity is due to Criminals, there is also
pity, as well as justice, due to the State. The
same ingenuity which can successfully imi-
tate Bank Notes, might be usefully and pro-
fitably employed in the necessary and or-
namental arts of life, and the same in-
dustry and labour devoted to the utterance of
those Forgeries might be exercised in laudable in-
dustry. The deliberation) as well as toil) em-
ployed in the formation, as well as in
the circulation of those Porgeries, give a
deeper die to the guilt, which demands exem,
glary punishment for the sake of the Cobntry,
while pity is really due to those only who have
yielded to the pressure of unavoidable misfor-
tune, or the viotence of sudden temptation, which
overcome all billow* patienct and fortitude.--
But, according to the Weak and shallow Politi-
cians of Party, the whole frame of our Penal
Laws is to he overthrown, for the sate of' adopt-
ing the Code of their favourite NatomioN) in
order that DELIBERATE DELINQUENCY shOtild
have Palaces to repose in, till its guilt is
ascertained, and when proved beyond the pos..
sibility of doubt, capital punishment is not to be
inflicted, but if the culprits are ordered for trans-
portation, they should enjoy all the accommoda-
tions and indulgences of a I?oyel Yacht! !

Nothing of the slightest interest in our pore
Letters this (lay.

, ?The Publication of The Quarterly Review is
unavoidably deferred until Tuesday.
DOVER.—The Lords of the Treasury have been
pleased to place B. G. SAMPSON, Esq. Comptroller
of the Port of Dover, on the Retired List of Offi-
cers of the Revenue. This meritorious Officer,
has been more than 30 years in constant employ-
tnent, and has deservedly secured the good opi-
nion and friendship of some of the first characters
in this country.
SIR DAVID DUNDAS'S BANQUET.—GeneraI Sir
Davit) DUNDAS, the Governor of Chelsea Hos-
pital, gave a sumptuous entertainment at his
noble apartment in the College on Wednesday
last, to his Royal Highness the Commander-in-
Chief, and his Staff; also to the gallant Marquis
of ANGLESEY It was the best display, in, all re-
spects, which the season has produced;
'I he LORD CHANCELLOR has fixed the days for
hearing Appeals and Writs of Error to the House
of Lords for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays,
from ten o'clock till four each day. On those
days the VICE-CHANCELLOR Will sit in the Court
of Coancery during Term.
DREAMING TO SOME PURPOSE.--It is a curious
circumstance, but nevertheless a well-authenti-
cated fact, that No. 5535, drawn a Prize of
30,0001. in the late Lottery, was bespoke by
Bisu at the Bank, in consequence Of an order
given by a person who bad dreamt that it would
be drawn a Capital Prize. As this person did not
feel inclined to adventure so largely as to take a
whole Ticket, he purchased but a small Share,
and the remainder was left for disposal to the
Public.—The half was purchased by a Gentle-
man at Dartford, and the remainder went in
lesser Shares to various individuals. As this
Number would in all probability have been sold
in a whole Ticket) but for the circumstance of
the person who dreamt of it having bespoke it,
the Gentleman who thus became possessed of the
half must no doubt feel much obligation to his
Bleeping partner.