The Sun.
London, England, 1821-05-22 00:00:00

FOR THE SUN.

Ma. EDITOR.—After hearing the debates in a
certain great House on the question of giving po-
litical power to Roman Catholics in this Protes-
tant country, I returned home at three in the
morning, and being exhausted by the attention I
had given to all the speakers, I threw myself on
a sofa and fell fast asleep. And as I slept I
dreamed, and behold a castle having four turrets
stood before me—near to this building was a
crowd of people holding a consultation, eppa-
rently on some important subject. I inquired of
a person who was passing, the name of the place,
and the cause of the assembly. He informed me
that I was on Tower Hill, and. that the crowd was
composed of the neighbouring inhabitants, who
were then considering the merits of a Petition
which bad been presented to them from the wild
beasts who inhabited the Tower, praying eman-
cipation from confinement, and also an equal par-
ticipation in all rights and privileges possessed by
every tame and harmless animal in the metropolis
=also admission to. the Select Vestry of the
parish, and a share in all offices, emoluments,
and advantages at present enjoyed by the resi-
dent inhabitants and householders. I thought I
was in time to hear the petition read, and it set forth,
among other things, " that the brutes were, pro-
CC perly speaking, Lords of the creation, being
"created previously to man. That they were
" also the original inhabitants and possessors of
" the British Isles,which were infested by wolves,
4' and other wild animals, before they were dis-
" covered by man. That although they did not
" deny the truth of certain histories respecting
" the cruelties, murders, and enormities of 'many
44 of their progenitors, nor even that they had
14 been sworn enemies both to the human race
44 and to all tame animals, yet that ever since
" they had become their fellow parishioners in
" the Tower they had lived harmlessly and peace-
" ably, molesting no one, and neither biting,
44 tearing, or devourins, any thing but their daily
" food. That so far7from being injurious they
44 had contributed very greatly to the emolument
" and security of the Tower; and that in evi-
" deuce of this their good conduct they could
44 bring forward the testimony of their keeper,
",and also that of many monkies, pelicans and
44 other respectable and defenceless animals,
" who had lived for years , in the Tower with
" them in undisturbed security. For these, and
" other reasons, they prayed emancipation from
" their present state of oppression and unjust
cc confinement."—Perceiving the favourable man-
ner in which the petition was listened to, and
fearing, as the crowd was rapidly increasing, that
might not be able to escape before, the wild
beasts should be liberated, I was happy to
learn that counter-meetings had been held in
Lamb's Conduit and Cateaton Streets, Nag's
Read Court, Houndstlitch; and Cow Cross,
at which petitions had been voted and forwarded
from the various tame animals in the metropolis
against the emancipation of their wild fellow sub-
jects in the Tower. One of these Petitions
stated, «that as the wild beasts acknowledged
" the Lion as their rightful Sovereign, whereever
" he may haptsan to be resident, and were per-
" petually swearing obedience to. his will and
44 commands, they could not be relied on as trust-
" worthy subjects of King George IV. who was
44 nothing but a man." A grave old gentleman
entreated honourable members *coolly to weigh
this fair objection—he was, however, silenced by
a shrewd and powerful orator, who reminded' the
assembly that the Lions, having for the last 200
years been regularly washed every Ist of April,
had been purged by degrees of all their natural
ferocity, and would certainly require nothing of
their subjects inimical to the peace of the nation
at large, or to the authority of their well beloved
human brother on the Throne.—(A loud shout
of hear, hear !)—Having confirmed the solidity
of this argument, no one had courage to answer
it. Another petition reminded the meeting that
the wild beasts were in the constant habit of
maintaining that no faith was to be kept either
with men or tame animals ; and that they were in
the habit of taking an oath that, should it be con-
sidered for the good of the wild fraternity, they
might tear, and slaughter other animals as a
matter of conscience. Another grave man now
entreated the assembly to allow this fact to pos-
sess its just and proper weight with them ;
so that if they would not listen to argu-
ment they would at least regard a proof of
this nature. A flourishing fellow, however,
quashed all this by stating that what the wild
beasts promised on their honour to the tame
animals, or to man, was of much more importance
than all the oaths they took to their Creator.—
After the counter-petitions had all been read, I
thought the debate continued as follows :—" Mr.
4' Chairman, all beasts have equal rights—they
" have been oredient-subjects, and peaceable-in-.
" habitants."—" What do you mean ? (said ago-
" ther,) why one got loose and killed the
44 keeper's wife in the Tower, and a relation of his
44 at Exeter 'Change broke out and eat two mon-
; CC tries."—" Another wild beast got out near
" Salisbury, attacked the Exeter Mail Coach,
" tore one of the horses, and killed a dog ; and
" wherever they have got loose they have always
" done the same—and as for the Tower, if they
".have lived harmlessly there it has been for this
" plain reason, that they have not had the power
44 of doing mischief, which very power you now
" wish to allow them."—" But (said another),
44 they may be let out safely now, for they are
44 ready to give security; they will give bonds,
44 and, sign and seal any thing you please."—
" Hang it (said another), but they can claw it to
44 pieces as soon as they have signed it."—" Sir,
44 (said one) a gentleman has most unjustly re-
" proached wild beasts as bloody and ferocious in
" their dispositions; I can disprove such assertions
" altogether, and put beyond doubt the fact, that
CC all wild beasts have at all times been generous,
" grateful, and honourable ; in proof of this uni-
cc versal characteristic in wild beasts, I will appeal
" to the story of Androcles in history, and to the
" fable of the bear, who so carefully whisked
44 the flies from his master's face while he was
CC asleep."—" I'll tell you what," said another,
cc you had better let them all out directly, for
" they have grown so much stronger latterly

44 than formerly, that, if you do not, they will '
force their way out before long without leave." '
•--No one present seemed to think this argument
worth answering, since all remembered our suc-
cessful opposition to the French Revolution,
and the glorious end of the battle of Waterloo.
46 I am for letting them out," said another', " be-
" cause I am sure that we enjoy so much light,
knowledge, and freedom now, compared with
SC what we did when England was covered with
" wolves, that people will not suffer themselves
" to be torn to pieces as they used to be for-
" merly." Another advocate for the claims,
who had been conversant With many foreign me-
nageries in the• course of his life, appeared to
think that so far from there being any real
grounds for alarm, the wild beasts, when re-
leased, would, from the natural principles of
gratitude and self-interest, be found among the
most orthodox, pacific, and loyal of all his Ma-
jesty's subjects, and even afford considerable as-
sistance in keeping in order certain refractory
animals, who, under the present system, were
often showing their teeth, and giving him consi-
derable trouble ; and as this advocate was known
to be much in the secrets of government, his no
tion seemed to take surprisingly with all except
with those who seemed to fear that, when the
wild beasts should once feel their own strength,
they would set up for themselves, and only con-
cede to this modern champion of their claims the
privilege of being devoured last. Another ad-
vocate said, that" times were completely al-
" tered, and that therefore wild beasts and every
" thing else must be altered too."—" Yes," said
one,' but what has made the alteration? Has it
" not been the putting down the power of these
" ferocious animals ? If you are sensible of the
" blessings of light, freedom, security, acid
CC peace, then keep them while you have them ;
" and if so, you will continue those under con-
" troul who have never allowed these blessings
" to other animals than those of their own fra=,
" ternity." lle also added, " Suppose you let
" them out, and they should begin their old
" tricks of tearing and devouring, bow are you
"to get them in again ?" Ile was, however,
silenced by cries of " Order, order !" and a re-
primand from the Chairman, that his expression
" old tricks" was unparliamentary, and that any
reference W future evil could only be specula-
tive. The facts which had been brought forward
were however deemed likely to have some effect
on the minds of impartial hearers, and it was
therefore considered advisable to divert them
from close consideration ; and, in order to effect
this, I thought a lively little old man stepped
forward as a volunteer with a violin under his
arm, and said, " Mr. Chairman, I will sing you
" a song on this subject ;" on which he began,
and I thought I never heard a more musical voice
than that of the old man. He skipped round and
round like a bird on his perch, and brought such
melodious sounds out of his violin as made all the
people cry out " hear, hear !" and clap their
hands with extacy. The following, I thought,
was his song :
" Through this grand conciliation,
" We shall be a happy nation,
" Loving grows each savage baast,
- " Grateful for our favours past.
" Blessed day when all are free ;
" Let them out, my friends, and see."
' - -

Now, I suppose, it will be. allowed that there
was more sound than sense in all this, yet it had
such an effect on the hearers, that they seemed
indisposed to hear any one else, and there was
a general cry of " Question, question!" One man
indeed ventured to say, " Mr. Chairman, on a
" subject of this serious importance to us
" and to our children, is it. be supposed
‘C that we shall allow ourselves to be lid-
" died out of our- old English understand-
" ing, and common sense ;" but perceiving that
he was against the question, they soon coughed
him down ; and only one more speaker Would
they listen to ; this was a bald-headed man, who
pleased them much by reminding them that there
was once a lioness who used to suffer her keeper
to go into, her den whenever he pleased, from
which circumstance he asserted it was proved that.
wild beasts were by nature friendly to mankind;
and after dwelling most forcibly on this wondrous •
piece of disinterested hospitality, be added "one
" good turn deserves another." This Was enough—
They were now ripe for emancipation ; • and
strangers being ordered to withdraw, I was most
happy to find it possible to obey the command,
lest I should feel the fraternal hug of so many
lions, tigers, bears, and leopards. Just as I. was
passing Allhallows Barking, I thought some one
had conveyed, the joyful result of the meeting to
the TOWer, and the universal howl, growl, and..
scream of exultation which was emitted from the
dens of the various animals terrified me so great- •
ly that I awoke, and behold.it was a dream.
I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,
JOHN BUNYAN.

ETON COLLEGE.-Several Noblemen and Gen-
tlemen who received their education at this Col-
lege, dined together on Saturday evening at
Willis's Great Rooms, King-street, St. James's ;
the Most Noble the Marquis of DowNsninE in
the Chair. After the cloth was removed, Non
Nobis Domine was sung in fine style, and the
usual toasts were drank. On the health of the
Noble Chairman being drank, he addressed the
company in an eloquent and animated speech,
which was much applauded. ,The meeting did
not separate till a late hour.
The Society for the cure of Diseases in the
Eye, held their Anniversary Dinner, at the
Thatched House Tavern, St. James's, on Friday
last. His Royal Highness the Duke of YORK
was hi the Chair, supported oil his right by the
Earl Blesinton, and Lord Saltoun ; and on his
left by Lord Lynedoch,Mr. Byng, and Sir Colin
Campbell. There were upwards of -ninety per-
sons of distinction present, including many medi7
cal and chirurgical professors of the first eminence.
There is in some hop-grounds, at Rotherfield, in the eastern
part of Sussex, a hop-pole, which has been used for no less a
time than 35 years !
On Friday last, a melancholy accident occur-
red at Mr. CLEAVER'S soap-manufactory. The
man superintending the coppers, unfortunately
fell into the boiling soap; he was carried to the
Hospital without any hope of recovery; and soon
expired.

LONDON MARKETS.

PRit2E OF BREAD THIS WEEK.

The highest price of the best Wheaten Bread throughout
he Metropolis, is stated by the principal Bakers to be 91d.
;he Quart;ern Loaf.—Some Bakers sell the Quartern Loaf,
rum one penny to two pence lower.

1b: oz.

lb.oz.
Peck Loaf to weigh 17 G I Quartern Loaf toweigli 4.51
Half ditto.. ditto 8I I Half Quartern ditto .. 22i

IMPORTATIONS OF GRAIN LAST WEEK.
English. Irish. Foreign.
Wheat

Barley
Malt .
Cats .
Beaus

Peas ....
'fares ...
Brank
Mnstarti
Seeds....
Flour
Linscc I. ,

2,492 ----
6,271 ---
12,118 2,500
1,197 ----

111
152
7,062 470

PRICE OF HOPS, pt>.- Cwt., May 19.
Pockets. Bags.
Kent.... 21 16s a4lOs a 41.15 s Kent .. 21 10s -a 31 10s- a 41 4s
Sussex.. 2; 5s a 2.1 18s a 31 4s Sussex 21 Os a2l 10s a2l 16s
Essex ... 91 lOs a3l 15s a 414 s Essex 21 5s a3l Os a3l 10s,
Farnham, fine, 41.10 s to 61 10s—Do. second, 21 'Gs to bl Os
Foreign Rockets, to —s to —s.

SEEDS, May el.
Red Clover (Foreign) 30s 4tis 54s to 7:5s per cwt.
Ditto English —s 54s 5Gs to 62s

.._,
White ditto 66; 76s 90s. to 1083
Rye. Grass -... Nis 22s to 25s per. qr.
Turnip Seeds
White Mustard Seed ss 6s to 7s Gd
Brown ditto ' —s Mans to 12s Od
Red and Green -

Cnrratv y Seeds
Coriander do.
,
Chigoe Foil] 2os 0(1 to c!Ss Od per qr.
Trefoil
Ribgrass ... clis 26, to 32s ,
Canary per qr 42s 4Ss to —s Od per qr.' '.•_
Linseed Oil Cake at the Mill, 131 13s to —1 Os per limn-
sand—New Rape Seed, 301 to 3410 s per Last.—Rape CAke,
010 s to 01 Os per thuttsand.—Tares, 325 to 3Ss —s prr qr.

Sillll HFIELD INIAIIKET.—May. 41.
,Cco sink the Offal—per Stone of 81hs.)
Beef 3s 6d to 4s 61 I Pork 4s 0,1 to 5s 4,1
Mutton. .... 3s 4d to 4s 8d 1 Veal ' 3s tici to 5s kid

Lamb • 4s 8d to 7s Od
DEAD OF CATTLE THIS DAY.
Beasts 2,097 I Calves
Sheep..., 15,330 1 Pigs - 210

NEWGATE AN!) LEADENHA LI, MAn.h.I.TS.
By the Carcase. . -
fled- 2s 8d to Ss 6d NT I ,ar 3s od to 5s -od
Mutton ......,3s 00 to 4s Od 1 Pock 3s Ott to 43 •sd,

Lamb,.4s 6tl to Gs Od.

ST. .1A NIES'S HAY MARKET; Nlity 19.
Hay 3l tOs 0(1 to 41 10$ Oat Cluv,r, 01 to 01 Os Oil
fittaw
SMITHFIELD.

Ray . 31 5s ad to 41' OA 0.1--Average, 31 154 od
Straw
Clover 4l, Os Od to 41 15s Ott--Average, 41 lOs od:
WHITECHAPEL.
__

Hay .... . 31.16 s Od to 41 6s 011--Average, 41 Gs Od
Old ditto Ol Os Od to 01 Os od-Avi-rtke, 01 Os 03
Straw
Clover •4l Os 0.1 to 5! Os 0,1--Av,iage, Iss (14