The Sun.
London, England, 1845-05-12 00:00:00

OLD DUBLIN CITY

This is a narrative of old Dublin some hundred
and fifty years ago, bearing the name of a celebrated
public-house, supposed to have flourished about that
period. It is not a tale that will amuse, but it is one
that will afford both interest and instruction. It is
a history of tre gradual progression of crime, showing
as the French say, " le nest que le premier pas qui
coute." It is easy to deviate from the right
course, but a false step once taken, it is
not only impossible to recede,—it is impos-
sible to pause. Fault follows fault, like the steps
of a laddder, till by imperceptible degrees the
hapless victim finds himself from the borders of virtue
fallen to the depths of vice. The hero, in whose
history this lesson is conveyed, is Henry Ashwoode,
a young baronet, of moderate fortune, and proud and
passionate disposition. His faults having increased
by bad education and bad example, he is the
willing slave of his own passions. Step by
step, he advances in the path of sin.
First, his love for play leads him into bad company,
then, by his pride, he insults his low companions, and
thus creates a powerful enemy. Ruined by gambling,
ke is induced by cunning representations to forge a
sigrinture to a bond which shall free him from danger.
This bond falls int.) the possession of his enemy, who
now has an opportunity of gratifying his revenge.
Through the fear of exposure the haughty Ba-
ronet is compelled to obey the caprices of his cruel
tormentor; till at last his pride gets the better of his
fears, he refuses to submit, and then—but we will
not destroy the interest of the story by giving
the conclusion ; suffice it to say, that it conveys a
moral lesson well worthy of attention. It is written
in a hold and vigorous style, adapted to the characters
and the subject. The gentle Mary Aswoode, the sister
of the gambler, forms a beautiful contrast to the
gloomy pictures of her brother and his companions
The description of her escape from the power of
Blarden, her brother's enemy, is one of the most inte-
resting passages in the book. Among the various
scenes we are introduced to the Vice-Regal Court
during the Lieutenancy of the profligate Marquis of
Wharton, the father of the celebrated Duke Philip ;
here we see Addison, Swift, and others, but we have
only a passing glimpse of these important charac-
ters, the chief interest of the story following the for-
tunes of Ashwoode. The following remarks on the
anierate pursuit of gaming are full of melancholy
truth :

" With the immediate urgency of distress, any
thoughts of prudence or retrenchment which may have
crossed his mind vanished, and along with the command
of new resources came new wants and still more extrava-
gant prodigality. His passion for gaming was now
indulged without restraint, and almost without the in-
terruption of a day. For a time his fortune rallied, and
sums, whose amount would startle credulity, flowed into
his hands, only to be lost and squandered again in dissi-
pation and extravagance, which grew but the wilder and
more reckless, in proportion as the sources which sup-
plied them were temporarily increased. At length, after
some coquetting, the giddy goddess again deserted him.
Night alter night brought new and heavier disasters ;
and with this reverse of fortune came its invariable
accompaniment—a wilder and more daring recklessness,
and a more unmeasured prodigality in hazarding larger
and larger sums ; as if the victims of ill luck sought, by
this frantic defiance, to bully and browbeat their capri-
cious persecutor into subjection. There was scarcely
an available security of any kind which he had not
already turned into money, and now he began to feel
in downright earnest, the iron gripe of ruin closing
upon him.
"He was changed—in spirit and in aspect changed.
The unwearied fire of a secret fever preyed upon his
heart and brain; an untold horror robbed him of his
rest, and haunted him night and day."

M A GAZINES-CON TINUED.
SIMMOADS'S COLONIAL MAGAZINE.

In the present number there is an interesting ac-
count of "Agriculture in Hindostan," with particu-
lars relating to the cultivation of the sugar-cane.
" A Few Hints on Foreign and Home Coloniza-
tion " is written by " One about to Emigrate,"
and he seems desirous of inducing others to
follow his example; attributing the general distress
felt in so many parts of the country to over popula-
tion, he recommends emigration as a sure and certain
remedy. Although some of his suggestions are
worthy of attention, he seems to forget that, while he
blames the League and others for offering but one
panacea for so many evils, he himself falls into the
same error. Colonization may be a useful
auxiliary in ameliorating distress, but it cannot
effect any improvement by itself. "..1 he defenceless
condition of Jamaica" forms the subject of a letter
written to Lord Normanby, when Colonial Secretary •
it is introduced at the present time in consequence of
the disputes with America. " Great Britain and the
Uei
s inevitable t a 171 eb,j subject
tthhaewt
rniisitteer,d,
tteheSentldastuettsoy" t n stoh
at ontear th
it of England to reduce Amenca to
submission, to divide the States, and loosen the bonds
of slavery."

FISHER'S COLONIAL MAGAZINE.
This magizine is almost entirely devoted to matters
of foreign and colonial interest. The first article is on
the subject of the " Trade and Commerce of Western
Australia," from which it appears that the last report
from that colony was less favourable than usual. There
is an interesting description of the " Neilgherries"
or blue mountains of Coimbatore, and also of a
"Visit to the Cape of Good Hope." In the account
of the " New Zealand language," the writer ex-
presses a regret that the adoption of the English
language has been so long delayed, observing, " that
the only way to really, and not nominally, christianize
the aborigines, is first to teach them our language ;
by degrees, they will adopt our habits, they
will amalgamate, civilisation will follow, and Chri-
stianity, and probably our own form of worship, will .
all occur as a matter of course." The most interesting

article in this number is on the subject of " Harbours
of Refuge ;" it contains a minute description of .the
floating breakwater off Brighton, from which we
subjoin the following extract :
" The mechanical construction of Captain Tayler's
floating breakwater is so simple, that a very concise de-
scription of it will be sufficient. In appearance it re-
sembles two prisms, united at their bases, the lower
prism being equilateral, and the upper isosceles, .the
angles at the base being 30 degrees, that being the de-
sired angle of the sloping top upon which the sea will
break or become dispersed. The extreme dimensions
are as follows:—namely, 60 feet long, 24 feet broad, and
27 feet deep. The structure is wholly of fir timber ;in
certain parts, between the double beams, cork is intro-
duced, to adjust the floating depth to its locality, and
prevent oscillation.

" It is impossible to contemplate this useful invention,
without being convinced of its efficiency; nor can. we
help feeling surprised, that a plan so simple, in compari-
son with the vast importance of its object, has
not long since suggested itself to scientific men, whose
minds have been directed to improve the commer-
cial interests and naval resources of this country.
The extraordinary eject of the cork between the double-
immersed beam, prevents the horizontal waves break-
ing over the breakwater, and enables any weight of
chain being used to moor it. This trial proves that it
does not ride with the third of the strain exerted on a
ship's cable at anchor, owing to the disposition and
effect of the cork." ,

WADE'S LONDON REVIEW.
In the present Number there is a long account of
the Royal Society of England, chiefly relating to
their Council and Committees. There is an interest-
ing account of the irreat Duke of Marlborough ; and
an article on the " Increase of Crime and Pauperism,"
in which the writer observes, that crime increases
with prosperity, not only because where there is more
wealth there is more temptation, but from the fay..t
that " commerce leads to luxury, and causes sudden
vicissitudes in men's fortunes, thus producing ex-
treme inequality of rank, avidity of gain and con-
tempt for poverty." lie also remarks, that while
robbery, forgery, swindling, &c., increase in England
there are fewer capital crimes—" our offences, like
our pursuits, are mercantile " " A Glance at Eng-
lish Literature and Academical Learning" is written
by one who laments the utilitarian feelings of the
present day ; he is disappointed to find so few men of
real learning and genius, at a time when literature is
diffused far and near ; he attributes this, in a great
measure, to the Universities, observing, among other
things, that " Greek literature has at present .no
existence in England."

THE CHURCH OF E.VGLAND MAGAZINE
This is an interesting combination of serious and
instructive reading. The present number contains
sermons by eminent divines, sabbath meditations, and
sacred poetry. There are also " Wanderings by the
English Lakes." a description of Barnard Castle, and
an account of the Pantheon at Rome, with an illus-
tration. " Sketches from Natural History," are ap-
propriately introduced into a work of this description ;
there is no subject more fitted to display the wonders
of Providence, and to lead the mind " from Nature up
to Nature's God."

CONSTITUTION OF JERSEY.
LETTER 111.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—There is, perhaps, no law which strikes so
effectually at the root of all commercial faith, and is
so well calculated to injure tl-e prosperity of the Is-
land, as the custom which I mentioned in my second
letter, of "separation quart aux Liens;" for were it
universally known, but very few would be found
willing to trust any one here with their goods upon
credit. By this act, the parties are considered in law
as strangers, neither being liable for the other—they
can not only eliter into separate contracts, but those
between themselves are valid—aye! to the pre-
judice of the creditors. I have already told
you that their position as man and wife
is not affected in anything else but property—they
live together as usual, and their business is apparently
carried on as before. Now, let us assume that a man
has traded largely, has hitherto paid all his engage-
ments punctually, and thus his credit being good has
succeeded in obtaining an immense stock in trade—
that moreover he afterwards becomes so much behind
in his payments (no matter whether purposely or not),
that some one is induced to levy an attachment upon
his goods ; then comes the fruit of this precious Norman
law, for it turns out not only has he sold the
property to his wife, but the house even is
taken in her na.ne; and notwithstanding the whole
of the property may hare been, up to the time of
arrest, under the management and in the occupation
of the husband, not a fraction of it is liable for the
payment of his debts, as it is the property of his wife.
Although this transfer is fraudulent it is valid, and
as nothing but the body of the debtor is thus left to
liquidate the claim, and that will not satisfy it, the
creditor is obliged to accept whatever terms the wife
chooses to offer, in order to free her husband from per-
sonal arrest. Methinks yeu will say that no better or
easier mode of swindling could be devised than this
legal one of separation quart aux Liens. Let us, how-
ever, see whether we cannot match it. He who is
declared " tenant" under a " decret," upon satisfying
all prior claims, and paying the expenses, is entitled
to a:I the surplus however great. Suppose a bank-
rupt's estate is worth 10,0001.—that his liabilities in
the Island are only 5,0001., but for which judgment
ha,. been obtained, and they are registered according
to law—that he is also indebted to creditors in Eng-
land to the amount of 10,000/. who may perchance
have supplied him with every article of his stock in
trade, but who, for want of notice, have
taken _ no step to recover; _ in such a

case, the first creditor on the list would declare him-
self tenant, pay the rent in full, and after deducting
the expenses, receive a surplus considerably greater
than would suffice to pay the English creditors 25
per cent. upon their claims. After learning that a
man can legally receive even thousands cf times more
than the amount which is owing to him, at the ex-
pense of those whose claims are either of a subsequent
date to his own, or for which no judgment has been
obtained, it cannot excite any surprise to find
by law he can also swindle those of a prior date.
Now, m2rk well, although his own claim may be a
paltry 51., and it is notorious that he himself
is insolvent, it is no bar to his becoming tenant. His
accounts are not subject to any inspection, and the
law calls for no security that he will fulfil the very
c inditions upon which it has awarded him the estate.
He does not hold it in trust for the benefit of those
whom the law declares to be participators, but is
bolui fide the uncontrolled master and owner of it.
He can therefore sell it when he chooses. 'Tis true
he may perchance find some difficulty in disposing of
the landed estate, as the purchaser buys it at the risk
of losing it, but as this does not apply to the personal
property, he can either remove -it beyond the
jurisdiction of the Court, or plat with it, and
abscond. You will naturally inquire why he
cannot be arrested if any suspicion attaches to him ?
aßcete aoufs es ~aarisn
di if
ionng,purposea w
mreankdeesr caonm pml evtiedti
ohui s g
sgreat
tinction between a landed proprietor, and one who is
not so. The latter, as I told you in my first letter,
is liable to arrest of person or property at all times,
however small the amount of 'his debts, but the
former being exempt from both, and als? from all
proceedings out of term time, can only be'-ae.4ioned
for the amount of his liabilities, however great
they may be ; the tenant becoming im-
mediately entitled to this privilege upon
being awarded the bankrupts' landed estate, can
contest any actions brought against him by the prior
claimants for his non-payment of them ; these actions,
by the practice of our Court, he can delay, from time
to time, and before judgment is obtained against him,
can be beyond the reach of the laws of an Island
which have given him the power to be so. B. L.

THE NAIL TRADE IN STIRLINGSHIRE.—This branch
of trade has long been in a very depressed state, chiefly arising from
tt
ihoen uses
m oonfgmtahceh norne.piril
oaydeer
su nails,T The
en davaelrsaogefr oemarnai
nsgpsi r i
ofo f
tchoem pneatit
makers in this quarter, for some years past, have not exceeded 7s.
a week; for though in some few instances Bs., 10s., or even 12s,
have been realised, yet these sums were only got by extra labour,
wororpkerinheanpsobatbaientteedr
apia,iednnkyindmoidfitwbonrkal.
forAmboauktinsgixl7ooonothnsailasgio
sad
e
after some agitation on the part of the workmen, several of the em-
ployers have this week very handsomely advanced another 3d. on
the same quantity. This will have the effect of raising the nail.
maker's weekly earnings to about Ss. 6d. or 95., or from 20 to 30
per cent, on their wages, which, though still a small pittance, must
be productive of a little more comfort to this long depressed body
of men.—Scotch Paper.
ANOTHER COLLISION OFF THE EDDYSTONE. —0 n
Wednesday afternoon, the 7th inst., at two o'clock, when about
four leagues to the S.S.W. of the Eddystone, Jasper Burt, the
skipper of the trawling sloop Reindeer, descried a large East India.
man coming down Channel, with topmast.studding.sails set,
having the wind from N.N.E. It is usual with fishermen to corn.
rnunicate with outward.bound ships, and accordingly Burt and one
hand went into their boat to ascertain if the commander wished to
send anything ashore. They pulled about four miles before joining
her, and were at first dismissed, but when about half smile off re-
called, to convey to the post.office a letter which the clerk went
into the cabin to write. While waiting alongside they informed
an officer (supposed to be the captain), that the sloop had her
trawl.net down, and that it was therefore necessary to be cautious
in approtching her. However, notwithstanding this caution, and
although hailed by John Hill, who, with the boy was left in charge
of the sloop, the helmsman ran the ship so close-that her studding.
sail boom took the Reindeer's peak halliards, and this bringing her
up the ship's foreyard caught the leach of her mainsall,and top-
ping.lift and carried away her boom and gaff. Her taffrall, two
stern timbers, and knees, and part of mainrail and bulwark are
damaged, masthead gone, mainsail torn, and gafitopsail past repair,
besides other injuries. Hill and the boy first ran below to avoid
the falling wreck, but, fearing she might go down, got on board the
ship. Burt and the other hand in the boat let go immediately,
lest they should be crushed between the vessels. The seamen cut
' away the wreck, and the fishermen, finding their sloop did not
sink, went aboard. A sudden squall of heavy rain came On. and
tThhee s hßiepi ,n
Reindeer was
iswith
h called
sometbe R
difficultyo be Robert Small,
brought
. tzvd h ;az"
bu_Y
The Robert Small is said to belongs o T
*am poSawoutb.
London and Newcastle,.74s tons eit „.,
' and bound to tbegaselndleg- -
the Caroline, 49, Colonel Vandeleuz. A regatta lti
O'Grady, and Cork Yacht
the Club
et ,f4o3r the
deentsenuialui'nhseesedflascloe.nt I of
t etrhs e Royal
es sC,