The Sun.
London, England, 1826-01-18 00:00:00

rnitillsn PRESS.]

Within the last thirty years great revolutions
have taken place in the opinions of men on mat-
ters of government, legislation, finance, and—
perhaps beyond all others—on the philosophy of
commerce. In the concerns of trade, in a great
ingdom like this,
it is not. those principles which
k
are speculatively best that are always the safest
or the most salutary in their application. The
doctrine which, on the theories of the political
economist, approve themselves to our reason, may
in practice produce results the very reverse of
what was expected from them. The reason of
this is, that these doctrines are not adapted to
the state of things to which they are applied. It
is not at all difficult, for instance, if we look only
on one side of the subject, to demonstrate the ad.
vantages that would accrue from removing all re-
strictions on the Tradein Corn ; that bread would
be cheaper must be admitted, but that those who
subsist on the wages of labour would be bent,
fited in proportion to the fall in price, is not
quite so clear. That they would be thus bene-
fited is, we know, a fact taken for granted ; but
it does not, on that account, the less require to
be proved. The subject is surrounded with Mi.
culties. 44 Let the artisans," says the modern
Ticonornist," be permitted to purchase their food
in the cheapest market." The proposition is so
equitable in itself, that to demur to it appears
quite unreasonable. But should the quantity of
corn imported froin abroad reduce the price
below what will remunerate the cost of produc-,
flan to the English farmer, the result will be,
that he must cease to grow coi', as he cannot be
expected to employ Isis labour and capital in pro-
ducing a commodity which yields no compensa- I
don. 'When the pursuits of agriculture cease to
be as lucrative as other employments they will
he abandoned; the soil must be cultivated with
an adequate return of profit or it will cease to be
cultivated at all. Mr. Ricardo, with a philosophic
indifference that, to us, is quite unaccountable,
anticipates this result, and proceeds in a tone of

perfect apathy to smooth the way to it. (4 The
best policy of the State," says he, " would be to
lay a tax, decreasing in amount from time to
time, on the importation of foreign corn, in order
to afford the home-grower an opportunity to with-
draw his capital gradually 4rom the land." God
forbid that our statesmen should ever lend them-
selves to such a scheme of policy as this. What I
compel the proprietors and tenants of the soil
gradually to withdraw their capital from its
cultivation !•-• Is it in this manner we are to
prepare the way to prosperity under the new
system ? Instead of praying heaven in its dispense-
lions to " speed the plough," are we to force the
husbandman to withdraw his hand from it? Is
England then—with all her wealth, her pride,
and her independence—to owe her very mainte-
nance to foreigners, and to do this, not from ne-
cessity, but from choice, and with her eyes open ?
Are we, hereafter, to be indebted for our subsist-
ence, not to the bounty of Providence, but to the
bounty of Poland and of Prussia ?

[Till; PUBLIC LEDGER.]
We have received several sets of German Pa-
pers, with the Paris Papers of Sunday ; but they
do not enable us to throw any additional light
upon the extraordinary proceedings that have
just taken place in Russia. The latter
abound in amplifications and comments ;
but as they contain nothing either striking or
new, we pass them over in silence. To give,
however, a sample of the public feeling in this
country, with respect to the tendency of those
proceedings, we shall here notice two reports,
which were very prevalent yesterday In the
City. According to one, an Express had arrived
with intelligence of the assassination of the Em-
peror Nicolas ; and if we are to believe the
other, the army stationed in the South has de-
clared in favour of Constantine. Though these ru-
mours could not be traced to any source en-
titled to the slightest credit, yet they are inte-
resting, as they show the very slight degree
of confidence that attaches to those semi-official
statements, in which it is said that the Re-
volution of the Russian Throne has been effected,
in a manner comparatively harmless. In the
mean time, we know nothing of Constantine, since
the death of his brother, but what we have
gleaned from the official documents that have
been published in the Petersburgh Gazette. The
Warsaw Gazette, which is clearly under his sole
and entire direction, has not as yet either in-
serted these important records, or published any
thing else, that could enable us to obtain even a
glympse, as to his feelings and designs. If this ad.
herence to the engagement, by which he is excluded
from the throne, was as reckless as it is commonly
represented, he would show it by his impatience
to (nuke his sentiments known through that chan-
nel over which he has an absolute controul. That
channel, instead of exhibiting extraordinary faci-
lity and freedom of communication, as would be

the case, if the Cesarowitsch were us determined
to renounce his birthright as he is represented,
seems to present extraordinary obstructions ;
for nothing has transpired us yet through
this medium, that could throw the least light
upon the singular and unexpected circumstances
in which the Russian empire is all titmice placed.
Connected with the two former, was another
rumour, according to which Count Villele had
tendered his resignation: We say that the one
rumour was connected with the others ; for there
had not been a hint, or a remote indication of a
change in the French Cabinet, before the re.
volution, which has just occurred in the Russian
Court. That revolution has so completely shaken
the European system, that in order to prevent
it from falling to pieces, new props, both as
regard men and measures will, in all probability,
be universally set up. From the nature of these
props, it wiji not be very difficult to anticipate
the success of the experiment ; and, in the in-
terval, we would caution the Public to be on
their guard with respect to any rumours that
may be put forth on the subject. If the change
is likely to be favourable to the great interests
of mankind, scandalous anecdotes of a contrary
tendency will be industriously pushed into circu.
lation, with► all the appearance of candour and
authenticity. For our own parts, we do not at-
tach much credit to the report of Villele's
nation ; but should it be verified, we are con-
vinced that the cause of good government in
France would suffer nothing in consequence.

E—n 14— r , whilst travelling on a coach, hap.
petted to pass a spot where he had ►nade some
sketches ; and he remarked to his companion, a
brother artist, that he had once " pai►►ted all
those hedges." The coachman, who had listened

to the conversation of his passengers, and thought
that they were hoaNing him, upon hearing this
observation, remarked «ith that freedom which
is peculiar to his profession, 44 Then I think you
must have used a d—d sight of paint."
BEGGiNG POLL QUARTEIti.—At the battle of
Spires the French had orders to give no quarter.
A German officer failing into the hands of a
French soldier, begged hard for his life. 64 Sir,"
said the Frenchman, " you may ask of me any
other favour you please, hut ns for your life it is
impossible for me to grant it."
A Bill, sent for the Royal approbation from
the Irish Parliament, in 1784, intending to limit
the privilege of franking, a clause stated," That
should any Member be unable to write, he might
authorize another person to frank for him, pro.
vided that on the back of the letter so franked
the Member gives a certificate under his own
hand, of his inability to write."
PARLIAMENTAUT BILLS.-1111 a Bill for pulling
down the old Newgate of Dublin, and rebuilding
it in the tame spot, it was enacted, that to pre.
vent unnecessary expellee, the prisoners should
remain in the old Goal till the new one was
finished.

CHILI> Scittnen.---A child, on of n person
named Eddy: who resides near Itedruth, was
scalded to death last week, under the following
eirctungtanc" :*--Tho mother, who had beets pre.
poring the fatally (Honer, had set the pot off the
fire, and was attendiog to BOrile other matters,
when the child went to the vessel, and by some
means overturned it, when the boiling liquor
flashed over him, by thigh he was so dreadfully
scalded, as to cause his death in a few hours.