The Sun.
London, England, 1844-10-16 00:00:00

111- ilintirt 11 -7.Z111t
„

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1844.

At the last weekly meeting of the Dublin Repeal
Association, a long and elaborate letter was read
from Mr. O'CONNELL, dated from his mountain home
at Derrynane. This letter, we will honestly confess,
has not a little puzzled us, for after an attentive
perusal of it we cannot make out what is the writer's
drift ; whether he is desirous of substituting Federal-
ism for total and unqualified Repeal, or whether he is
still as staunch an advocate for the latter measure, as
he was during the memorable year of the monster
meetings. In one part of his communication he ob-
serves ;—" For my own part I will own that since I
have come to contemplate the specific differences, such
as they are, between simple Repeal and Federalism,
I do at present feel a preference for the
federative plan, as tending more to the
utility of Ireland, and to the maintenance
of the connexion with England than the mode of
simple Repeal." This is distinct and definite language
enough, which he who runs may read ; but mark
what follows !—" Let us, if possible, combine all
classes ; but let us not forget that we have already
more than moral force enough to render a long re-
sistance to a peaceable and legal Repeal of the Union
impossible. It is a mere question of time—the
Repeal is certain. Hurrah then for Repeal !" Now
surely thc spirit of these two passages is exceedingly
perplexing and contradictory ! In the former Mr.
O'CONNELL hurrahs for Federalism—in the latter for
Repeal. In the former he professes himself content to
take an instalment, as it were, of Repeal—
in the latter he exhorts his countrymen to combine
and agitate for the full and entire measure. He goes
the whole hog in the one case—in the other, he is
satisfied with taking a moderate portion of the porker.
Then, as regards his advice to the Irish people to
combine. So far as we can perceive, there is less
chance of their being enabled to do this than ever;
for they now bid fair to be split into three distinct
sections—of those, namely, who support Dr. MAuri-
DELL'S project of triennial Parliaments; of those who
adopt Mr. GREY PORTER'S views of Federalism .
and of those who cling tenaciously to the demand
made at the monster meetings of 1843, for a
full, entire, unconditional Repeal of the Union.
How are people to combine zealously and unani-
mously who hold such conflicting opinions as these ?
The followers of Dr. MAUNSELL will naturally be
loth to give up their medium project of a triennial
House of Commons ; and the advocates of Repeal will
be apt to look with distrust on all who do not adopt
their own view of the question, and go the length to
which they are pledged. We confess we are by no
means sorry to see these different theories at work,
for, by dividing the attention of the community,
it is more than probable that they will ultimately
have the effect of weakening the clamour for a
Repeal of the Union—as originally started at the
Association—than which, as we have observed not
once, but a hundred times in The Sun, no measure
can be more injurious to the interests of the empire
at large, and more absolutely suicidal to those of
Ireland in particular. Thus much by way of objec-
tion to Mr. O'CONNELL'S lengthy communication.
On the per contra side, we may observe that there
SIT some portions of it in the spirit of which we
mai/Lily concur. " Two propositions," says the

1%1 11 S

Honourable and Learned Member for Kilkenny,
" are perfectly clear. First, that matters can-
not remain ,as they are in Ireland ; and
secondly, -that the British Minister cannot con-
duct the .affaiss of the sister country upon a
Protestant or Orange piinciple." No sane man can
possibly doubt the truth of either of these propositions.
The days of Orange a.vendancy are for ever past in
Ireland are already: 'ith the years beyond the
flood. The last faidt+ attempt— thinly disguised
under a show of moderation and impartiality
—to prolong them, was made during the
late Viceroyalty of Earl DE GRBY, and every one
knows how completely the attempt failed. Hence-
forth, Ireland can only be safely governed on prin-
ciples of concilation and equity—a truth of which
Sir R. PEEL has at length become fully convinced, if
we may judge from the tenor of the speech which he
made, towards the close of the last session, on the sub-
ject of Irish education, wherein he broached opinions
which took the Liberal Members of the House by
surprise, and called forth their warmest approbation.

We have already directed the attention of our rea-
ders to some among the more protninent items of the
Revenue accounts for the year and the quarter ended
10th instant. But there are still some important
features connected with the results stated in this re-
markable document, which call for grave considera-
tion. These will be now touched upon, in no desire
to disparage the general importance and encouraging
aspect of a statement which brings out an aggregate
of increase en the revenue of this year, as compared
with its predecessor, ending 10th of October, 1843,
of 1,395,349/. ; and on the corresponding quarters of
the two years, also in favour of this, by 520,9441. In
analysing this increase, we find that, in a single year,
the Customs (amounting to the enormous net product
of 20,243,5051.) have improved by the increased sum
of I,723,l6sl.—equivalent to the whole revenue of
three or four German principalities with " reigning
houses." Can we fairly attribute this vast increase
of Customs' Revenue to a corresponding development
and expansion of our foreign trade ? We cannot be-
lieve it, though we acknowledge, with high gratifica-
tion, our conviction that the trade of the country
has received, within the last twelve months, a most
extraordinary impulse. But a moment's calculation
will show that, without allowing for any reduction
on the total tariff of Customs' Duties, in the interval,
or for the probability that there may have been a
decrease in the Imports and Exports of the higher
rated commodities; an increase of 1,723,1651. on one
branch of fiseal revenue of 20,243,5051., must be ap-
preciated on data of this kind. The total value of
our Exports, last year, was, in round numbers,
131,000,000/. ; and of our Imports, say 68,000,000/. ;
together, 191,000,0001. ; and the total Revenue of
Customs netted thereon to 18,520,3401. Therefore the
total amount of our Exports and Imports, together,
this year, should be upwards of 212,000,0001., cal-
culated on the increased product of Customs. Now,
we cannot bring ourselves to imagine that there has
been any such accumulation in the transactions of
our general commerce as would represent this in-
creased aggregate of 21,000,0001. on Exports and
Imports.
Besides, had there been any such incredible ad-
vance in the extent of our general dealings, as this
calculation would infer, it must have been diffused
throughout, and made itself sensibly felt, in all the
great branches of our productive and material in-
dustry. No department can have much languished
for want of full employment and active demand.
There must have been no strikes, no furnaces put
out, no mills discontinued, no factories shut up, 'nn
fisheries deserted, no shipping dismantled, no la
bourers discontinued, no looms unemployed, no
surplus supply, and no diminished markets of in-
dustrial occupation. In proportion as this whole-
some state of things has prevailed, capital must have
been called into new employment, wages must have
circulated, and consumption of exciseable commodi-
ties must have largely increased. It would afford us
no pleasure—and the reader as little gratification—
to contrast, with this hypothesis, the real picture of
affairs in some of the northern and western districts
of this kingdom ; or to follow out the inferences to
which the poor-law returns, at home—the memorials
of our planters and proprietors in the West Indies,
and our other colonial possessions—would infallibly
lead us. Suffice it to say, that the Revenue returns
exhibit, under the head of Excise (always the great
test of the means of consumption in the labouring
masses of the country), a slight decrease on the pre-
sent quarter as compared with its correspondent in
1843, and on the whole year an increase by no
means proportionate to such an actual increase of
Customs as has been realised, or such an' increase of
our general commerce as the hypothetical average we
have struck, supposes. The Customs' Improvement
must, therefore, be traced to other causes. We are
willing to attribute it to that from which The Sun
has so often predicted that results of this gratifying
nature would ensue—namely, an increased, though
tardy, vigilance, on the part of the controlling autho-
rities of the Board of that Department, and the con-
sequent check upon that destructive system of fiscal
frauds and depredations which their supineness or
imbecility has allowed, for so many years, to prevail
with almost perfect impunity.
Then we must always remember, that of the vast
aggregate of this year's net Revenue, 50,741,6221.,
no less an item than 5,148,740/. has been contributed,
in the thirtieth year of profound peace, by that
scandalous enormity of financial tinkering, Sir R.
PEEL'S property-tax. We doubt whether even the
modesty of the Premier will venture to take
any credit for the astonishing yield of this con-
trivance for depleting the plethoric pockets of JOHN
BULL beyond the degree of assurance which sustained
him in prosecuting such a scheme for replenishing his
Exchequer, in lieu of the more legitimate, more pro-
ductive, more statesmanlike, more certain, but less
onward course, of striking off from trade the shackles
imposed by prejudice, and riveted by monopoly. Sir
ROBERT is a political SANGRADO ; and so long as his
robust patient retains strength enough to bear his
experiments, he will not want a whole college of
sucking empirics of his own school to applaud him
to the skies as the first of practitioners. But we
look with confidence to a coming day of better sense,
and awakened indignation, on the part of the most
closely-fleeced people in Europe. Sir ROBERT-ST,
Joust-LortG-PEEL has been allowed his nostrum of
counter-irritation long enough. It is high time the
people should be relieved from his plaster !

We did not expect to be so soon called upon, after
our recent notice of the encroachments in the course
of silent, but gradual, perpetration in Epping Forest,
to protest against the meditated spoliation of Hamp-
stead Heath. These offences against public feeling,
and the healthful recreation of the public, are be-
coming as daring as they are frequent; and the re-
probation of public opinion must be expressed in a
tone proportionably emphatic and decided. There is
a Sir Thomas MARYON WILSON—a Baronet, and
Lord of the Manor of Hampstead in this metro-
politan county—whose name has been often before
the public, since the year 1829, in a litigious,
annoying sort of association with a persevering
scheme for inclosing that still unspoiled and beauti-
tul heath, which occupies the most interesting por-
tion of the gentle heights that invest, as it were, the
northern boundary of London. On the part of this
proprietor the attempts have been many, and hitherto
fruitless, to wheedle the House of Commons out of a
convenient Private Bill, giving him authority for
closing up footpaths, and dismantling common-land,
and grubbing up green lanes, and levelling wild little
patches of copse, that have afforded pleasant resort,
and healthful exercise, and breathing-ground and
room for rambling, to so many generations of the
cooped-up population of the dusky metropolis. It
appears, that notwithstanding the protestations made
to Parliament on the occasion we speak of, that Sir
THOMAS had no intention of encroaching upon " the
heath," his meaning and purpose being merely " to
encircle the same with squares, streets, and courts ;"
he has now commenced the preliminary operations of
his abominable building nuisance, by breaking ground
upon the heath itself. We have already stated in
The Sun, that this amiable Baronet employed, last
week, some eighty men in levelling the hedges that
have hitherto divided the various fields, unfortunately
his property, lying between Highgate and the Vale
of Health. The copyholders located on or near the .
heath are greatly alarmed for the safety of their own
tights, as well as the integrity of the heath for its
present purposes of quiet and healthful enjoyment.
The Earl ofMatismax, owning in Caen Wood th

most beautiful estate both for timber and scenery
within the same easy walk from the capital, is about
to find his sylvan glades overlooked by a huge ceme-
tery. This noble and accomplished person must sym-
pathise, we imagine, in the grievances experienced by the
Hampstead copyholders and other residents, and the
London public at large. We hope his Lordship will
give the powerful aid of his influence and authority to
the determined opposition which is being organised to
the sordid attempt (we must so designate it) of Sir
THOMAS WILSON. The defeat of such an attempt we
shall be disposed to regard in the light of a great
public victory over an offensive pretension of private
monopoly. It is a sad thing—as mere matter of taste
—to find a gentleman of large landed property in
other localities, so wanting in a taste for the pic-
turesque, as to be obstinately bent on the desecration
of this favourite district. It is a pitiful thing to see
a gentleman of ample fortune persisting, against the
remonstrances and entreaties of those whom he should
glory in retaining as attached tenants or respect-
' ful neighbours—in the invidious endeavour to oust
them of advantages which the custom of the manor,
and a prescription that we have no doubt will yet be
found an invincible obstacle to his design, have alike
conceded to them and their predecessors. But it
would be a surprising, and much to be deplored con-
clusion, indeed, if, despite of the spirit, exertions, and
means of the Committee who represent, and vigorously
uphold the interests of the copyholders in this in-
stance, Sir THOMAS WiLsoN were to be allowed to
make good his very unwise, unbecoming, and unpo-
pular plans of building appropriation. Let him thus
c.cupy Hampstead Heath, and the people will be
next year walled out of Kennington Common, warned
off Blackheath, and taken up as trespassers if found
on Wormwood Scrubbs.

A telegraphic dispatch received from Madrid, con.
tains the following announcement :
" MADRID, OCT. 11 .

" The QUEEN opened yesterday in person the
session of the Cortes. Her MAJESTY, whose health
is excellent, was received during the whole of her
passage and on her entrance to the Chamber with
the liveliest acclamations.

" Madrid and the provinces enjoy the most com-
plete tranquillity."
Madrid journals of the Bth instant have been re-
ceived, but they contain no news.
MADRID BOURSE, OCT. B.—Three per Cents., 27i
for Account; Five per Cents., 20 3-16 for Cash ;
20i for Account; Floating Debt, 661 for Account
(60 days); Debt without interest, 6 3-16 (60 days).

The Paris papers of Monday give full details of the
proceedings at Windsor Castle on Thursday, the
visit of the KING to Twickenham, the investiture of
his MAJESTY with the Order of the Garter, and the
address of the Corporation of Windsor with the
KING'S reply. The Constitutionnel passes over these
events without any remarks. Not so the National
and the Commerce. The former, after quoting that
part of the speech in which he expresses his wish for
peace and the satisfaction he felt on receiving the
address, exclaims "a la bonne heure. Well t this is
plain enough, and here we find M. GUIZOT
bodily. Peace everywhere and always figures as
the burden of the harangue." The writer goes on
at some length in the same style, evidently blinded
with rage; for while reading The Sun he imagined be
was reading the Times. "It is not surprising then,"
he adds, "that Louis PHILIPPE should have been
honoured whether at Windsor or Twickenham with
the following bucolic strains (distraitions bucolique)
with which the visit to Twickenham had inspired the
Times. The writer then quotes the " bucolic strains'
which appeared in this journal, and was transferred to
the columns of our morning Contemporary. The
Cominerce, which has abstained more from offensive
remarks than some of the other Opposition journals,
breaks out at last in these words :

"The king has been invested with the Order of the
Garter. Since Henry the Fourth no French Sovereign
has taken part in a similar ceremony. Under any other
circumstance we might have considered this as a symbol
of alliance, and have rejoiced at it. But in these
days of constitutional doctrines and institutions
it is without • any political signification. Queen
Victoria and King Louis Plillippe may exchange all
their decorations without imposing any obligation on
their respective Governments. We can see in all this
nothing more than an exchange of courtesy—a
code of manners for the especial use of Princes. The
people have nothing to expect from it. How can we
otherwise account for the contrast between the gracious
politeness of the Court of Windsor, and the increasingly
outrageous language of the English journals of all par-
ties ? It is evident that the chiefs of the two countries
exchange courtesies and tender their hands
to each other above the heads of their people.
In this they play their parts- of Princes reigning
by virtue of the constitutional principle. It is a royal
comedy, nothing more. There something, how-
ever, which is deserving of the most attentive consideration.
and the most severe scrutiny. It is the conduct of those
Ministers who have led the people of the two countries
into that state of permanent irritation and distrust which
finds expression in the ever violent language of the
London press, and in the animated replies of that of
France. We have before said what we cannot too often
repeat, that the miserable policy of the 'English and
French Ministers has for many years revived slumbering
rancour, and provoked disunion between England and
France. Our national feeling, wounded by the demands
of the English Ministry, by the despotism of their claims,
by the crying injustice of their encroachments, bas again
turned against the English alliance. Sir Robert Peel
has completed the work by demanding, with violence, in
full Parliament reparation from France for an
act provoked by the intrigues of his own agents.
Our Ministry has aggravate," the ferment of
discord by consenting to grant these reparations
when any other in his place would have
an equivalent from the arrogant power which required
them. Certainly we fain take literally, and as addressed
to all France, the exaggerated and courtier-like praises
which the English papers lavish on the King who re-
presents this country. But we are forced to divide their
language into two parts, that of flattery which is ad-
dressed above, and that of insult which is aimed below."

The Journal des Debats, in the absence of political
events of importance, gives the following historical
account of the present state of steam machinery in
France :

" Our progress in the construction of steam-engines
is not of an old date. At the first it went on very slowly,
but in this, as in our iron- works, we have since made
up for lost time by our exertions, as the following sta-
tistics will prove. In 1820, there were not more than
200 steam-engines, whether of high or low pressure, in
France, and about one-forth of which were of English
make. In 1830, this number increased to 572, of which
106, or about one-fourth, were British. On the Ist Jan.,
1843, we reckoned 3,053, of which only 243, or less than
one-thirteenth part, came from abroad. Thus, at
the same time as our wealth in fixed engines took a
' rapid development, since in twelve years it increased al-
most six-fold, the portion taken from foreigners lessened
in a very remarkable degree. This was less rapid in
locomotives, it is true, since, in 1841, we possessed only
169, of which 74 were French and 95 foreign, and this
total, on the Ist January, 1842, amounted to 204. But
even in this branch the progress has not been without its
value, as was established by the last exhibition of the
progress of the useful arts. Our construction of steam-
engines in general is much improved, their powers are
brought out with greater ease, and the steam, applied
with better effect, has rendered the consumption of coal
by our locomotives much less. Let our machinists make
only a few more efforts, and they will be able to compete
with those of Great Britain, and take a large share of the
supply of locomotives for the railroads now in execution
or in contemplaticn. To these endeavours the Govern-
ment has just lent an efficacious assistance by the in.
crease of the import duties on locomotive engines ; and
it it be considered how important it is to our material
and political interests to render us strong and able in
this branch of mechanical constructions, it will be ac-
knowledged that this is one of the most useful provisions
of the Customs Bill presented by the Minister of Com-
merce—to bring into action all the steam apparatus em-
ployed in France on January 1, 1843. There then ex-
sisted 5,911 boilers, of which 5,270 were of French, and
641 of foreign make. Of these 4,292 were used for the
above-mentioned 3,053 steam-engines, and 1,60 for
other purposes in different manufactories and establish-
ments. The following were the principal establishments
provided with steam-engines classed according to their
importance, viz., 1,034 spinning-mills, 288 sugar-works,
171 for printing cotton and other stuffs, 149 in the
working of mines, 143 in dye-houses, 143 in the making
or other machines, 112 in paper-mills, 100 in dressing '
cloths, 96 in the manufactories of woollen cloths, 91
smelting-houses and forges, 88 foundries, 87 oil-mills, 84
baths, 75 saw-mills, 66 refining-houses, 63 weaving-ma-
chines, and 45 fulling-mills, &c. Of the 3,053 engines
above-mentioned the Seine, the Nord, the
Independently Seine-Inte-
le,
Rrieounreen,,t
Lh
ye
oRn hs n
ande , the
soGmf atehrsdeTpvoatsrhsieaostusissla,t9po4psoaar?a-c;trursaa
bar
oibsvo,
evLei
one-
half. l
re-
fcrred to, there must be reckoned those employed in
steam navigation. On the Ist of January, 1843, France,
without bringing into the account, the ships of the
State possessed 229 steam-boats impelled by 337 en-
gines, viz., 22 used as tug-boats only ; 8 as tug-boats,
and for the conveyance of merchandise ; 9 as tug-
boats, and for the conveyance of passengers, and 117 for
both passengers and merchandise. The 207 boats used
as transports carried, in 1842, 2,500,000 passengers, and
nearly 1,000,000 tons of merchandise. Since 1840, our
effective power in steamers has made but little progress.
This is to be regretted ; but if we compare it to what it
numberwas ten
of
weyeabrosaatgsoa,ndq
auhaadllrufipnledd tihnatpoistvehrasoftripled
n engines,
and that, in the quantity of merchandise conveyed, it has
increased in the proportion of 1 in 26, This then proves
that the development of our trade has been both rapid

and considerable. In general result, the 3,053 fixed en-
gines give a collective force of 39,000 steam-horse-power,
presenting, at the rate of three draught horses for every
steam-horse-power, a force equal to 117,927 horses, or
819,189 men. The 204 locomotives at 45 horse-power
each, make a power of 9,180 draught horses, or 64,260
men ; and, in fine, the 337 engines working in the steam-
boats give a power equal to 35,003 horses, or 245,000
men. In total, a power of 161,207 draught horses re-
presenting 1,128,449 men. Such was the approximative
minimum of force, without comprising 1,609 boilers for
heating or giving motion, the force of which is not indi-
cated, that was given by steam in 1842 to private in-
dustry." _ _ _

The Memorial Bordelais has the following:—
" By the Po, Captain Chevalier, we have got news
from Senegal, of August 11. The gum contract is com-
pleted, but the produce is not more than one-third of the
ordinary quantity. The war, which lasted for five years
between the colony and the kingdom of Fonts, and which
did so much injury to the small trade, by preventing in-
tercourse with Galam, was happily terminated. Chef de
Battalion Calle, Director of the Home-office, had just
arrived at St. Louis, bringing the treaty of peace with
the Almamy. Even the chiefs, who had been most
hostile, readily affixed their signatures to it, so gratified
were they at seeing a renewal of intercourse between our
settlement and their country. In consequence of the
cessation of hostilities with Fonta, M. Houars, the Go-
vernor ad interim, took measures for insuring effective
protection to all the small vessels during their voyage to
Galam. The authorities will be the better seconded in
these measures, as the iron steam-boats destined to serve
on the river, and which left Rochefort at the beginning
of August, will not be long before they arrive."
The Didon, Gloire, Dana 4, Nireide, Erigone, and
Psycho frigates of the port of Brest, are, says the Con•
stitutionnel, to be got ready with all possible speed to
be placed en commission de rade. At Toulon it is asserted
that the Montebello, Trident, G 6e6reux, St. PlKri, and
Vile de Marseille ships of the line, are to be placed in a
short time en commission de rade. The Asmor'e- steam-
frigate, lately gone to Tunis, will remain under the orders
of Admiral Parseval Deschesnes. By the return of ti e
Triton to Toulon, awl the departure of the Inflexible and
Belle Poule for Cherbourg, there remain in the Strait of
Gibraltar none of the large vessels that took part in the
expedition against Morocco.
PARIS BOURSE, Mo-kney FOUR O'CLOCK.

We have had so little business doing to-day, that it is
only necessary to quote the undermentioned prices, at
which the market closed.:—Five per Cents., cash, 118 f.
40c. ; Account, 1181. 60p.. ; Three per Cents., cash, 82f.;
Account, 82f. 25c. ; Bank of France Shares, 3.055 ; Nea-
politan, 90 80 ; Spanish Threp per Cents., 244 ; Paris
and Orleans, 1.016 25 ; Paris and Rouen, 1,005 ; Rouen
and Havre, 762 50 ; Vierzon, 200 pin. ; Bordeaux,
90 pm.

PORTSMOUTH, TUESDAY.-At eight o'clock this
morning the royal yacht, the Victoria and Albert,
left the harbour under a salute of artillery, com-
mencing with the Victory, dressed in flags, and with
manned yards, quickly followed by the batteries on
shore, the French steamers Pluton and Caiman, the
brigs, and the large ships of war, both French and
English, at anchor at Spithead ; all the vessels were
beautifully decorated with flags—both French and
British ensigns waved in unison. The French ships
Inflexible and Belle Poule fired their salutes in a new
manner; and certainly it added much to the roaring
of the cannon. They fired at least eight guns at the
same instant. The roar from this species of firing
made the other guns sound like musketry. At nine
the royal yacht eared the Gomer, when she stopped
her engine, the rolal barge was manned, and the
Queen and Prince Albert, attended by the Admiralty
Lords, visited the Gomer. On her arrival on board,
she was received by Admiral La Susse and the officers.
The royal standard was hoisted at the main-top-g*
lant-mast head of the Gomer, the yards manned, ank
royal salutes poured forth their thunder from ths
Inflexible, 90; Belle Poule, 60; and the steamers.
Pluton and Caiman, which was returned by all the
British squadron and the batteries. The Queen reL
mained on board the Gomer upwards of an hour •
She then went in her barge to the Victoria and Al%
bert, and proceeded, at a slow rate, through the line
of ships. On her leaving the Gomer she was again
saluted by the French ships, which was returned by
the English. All the ships manned yards as the royal
steamer passed them in succession, and the three-
deckers manned their gunwales, a line of men stand-
ing on the hammock nettings, from the righthead
to the poop. The marines were also under arms
on the poops of the ships, who presented arms
as the Victoria passed them, their bands playing
" God save the Queen." After passing the line of
ships, full speed was put on the royal steamer, and
she was soon out of sight on her way to Cowes. The
French King's sailing yacht, the Reine Amelie, was
towed out of harbour by the Echo steamer, and an-
chored near the Gomer; the Kestrel, Lord Yar-
borough's yacht, was likewise towed out, and took
part in the saluting business. Numbers of other
yachts were likewise under weigh; and a variety of
steamers, all gaily dressed in flags, were sailing and
steaming about Spitbead.