The Sun.
London, England, 1844-10-21 00:00:00

THE LATE ATHEN/EUM SOIREE

Livery day brings forth the most gri;tifying proofs
of the interest which this great meeting has univer-
sally created, not only in this country, but also on
the continent. The London and provincial, as also
the Scotch and Irish papers, have almost without ex-
ception given reports of the proceedings at considerable
length, and have nearly all accompanied them with
laudatory comments. Most of the leading French jour-
nals have mentioned the meeting in terms of the warmest
commendation; amongst others Le Commerce, which
after a very lucid resume of the benefits which such
institutions are calculated to confer on the commu-
nity, strongly urges the establishment of an Athe-
neum at Paris and the principal towns of France.
We may expect to see the example generally fol-
lowed in this country. Leiters couched in the most
congratulatory terms, upon the success of the
soirée and the flourishing condition Pf the Athe-
naeum, have, we understand, been reC:ived
in
large numbers from many literary institutiol..'s in
various parts of England and Scotland, and from
numerous distinguished individuals throughout the
country. We are also gratified to learn that in many
instances these flattering communications have been
accompanied by some very substantial tokens—speak-
ing volumes for the good effects resulting from such
periodical gatherings. Amongst some liberal donations
received by the Directors subsequent to the soiree, from
parties at a distance, we may enumerate one from
Montague Gore, Esq.,M.P. for Barnstaple, who has sent
Edmund Burke's Correspondence, from 1744 to 1797 ;
edited by Earl Fitzwilliam and Sir Richard Bourke ;
just published, in 4 vols. exquisitely bound, with a
most complimentary note; 51. from the Rev. James
Hildyard, of London, per Mr. D'lsraeli; and last,
though by no means least in interest, a valuable
commercial work from Monsieur Coffy, of Paris,
written by that gentleman, who in a most interesting
communication writes, that having seen from Mr. D'ls-
raeli's speech (upon which he bestows a well-merited
eulogium) that the library was deficient in commercial
works, "he has much pleasure in forwarding a con-
tribution, an example which he hopes to see exten-
sively followed, and by which means the desideratum
of having, in a commercial town like Manchester, ac-
cess to the best and most authentic works on trade
and commerce, will speedily be attained."
We are glad to hear that the Directors of the
Athenaeum, anxious to testify their feelings of grati-
tude to Mr. D'lsraeli and the principal guests of the
soiree, convened a special meeting of the Board last
week, at which, a cordial vote of thanks was unani-
mously passed to Mr. D'lsraeli, for the important ser-
vices rendered by him to the Athenaeum. The Directors
!as!).l at the same meeting, elected that gentleman
a lac member of the Institution. A similar compli-
ment was conferred upon Lord John Manners, M.P.,
the lion, George Sydney Smythe, M.P., Thomas M.
Gibson, Esq., M.P., Rowland Hill, Esq., and S. C.
Hall, Esq. Mr. D'lsraeli has sent a very handsome
letter in acknowledgment to Messrs. E. Watkin and
P. Berlyn, from which the following extract may in-
terest our readers
" I have great pleasure in acknowledging the re-
ceipt of the resolution of the Board of Directors of
the Athenaeum, which has made me a life member of
that institution. lam very much honoured by this
expression of their confidence, and very much gllti-
fied by the terms in which it has been conveyed i?
me. It is satisfactory to find that the effect of the
meeting, not only in Manchester, but throughout the
country, and indeed on the Continent, has been such
as to assure you that your toil and zeal have not been
thrown away."
The llon. Mr. Smythe thus acknowledges the
honour in a letter addressed to Mr. P. Berlyn :
" Harley-street, London, Oct. 16, 1844.
" My dear Sir,—Will you be good enough to con-
vey to the Directors of the Manchester Athenaeum my
most grateful thanks for the honour which they have
conferred upon me? I never shall forget the sympathy,
the kindness, the hospitality, with which I was
entertained at Manchester, and this last distinction is
the more flattering and welcome, that it is connected
with so many agreeable reminiscences. Pray remem-
ber me most cordially to Mr. Watkin, and always
believe me, dear Mr. Berlyn,
" Yours most sincerely,
" GEORGE SYDNEY SMYTHE."
Suitable replies have also been received from the
other gentlemen, for which we have not room at
present.—Manchester Guardian.

FLIGUT OF A POOR-LAW UNION OFFICER.—It i 8
with regret that we learn that Mr. Richard Lowe, for-
merly of this citY, but who for nearly five years has filled
the situation of coiLietor of the rates for the townships of
Stourbridge and Cradley, in the Stonrbridge Union, last
week suddenly absconded front his trus,t, and, as there is
reason to believe, has taken his 41trtni for America,
leaving a considerable deficiency in hie counts. It
seems that Mr. Lowe quitted home on Tuesday,
regent
for Ilalesowen, to prepare the account of the db..
hamlets in that parish for the audit, to be held Oil :lie
day following, informing his wife he should not return.
on Tuesday night, as he had business to transact at Bir-
mingham, but should return on Wednesday. On that"
day he did not attend the audit, as was his duty, but he
had left every document ready for the purpose. Not re-
turning
home at night, his wife became alarmed at his
absence, naturally supposing some accident had befallen
him. As he did not return on Thursday, it was thought
desirable to send.to Birmingham to make inquiries, and
Mr. aristovr, a brother officer, proceeded thither. Be-
fore his return a partial examination of Mr. Lowe's ac
counts was made Mr. Simkiss, the auditor of the
union, and it was soon ;liscovered that in the township
of Cradley he had received. ;-tonsiderable sums of money,
which lie had not paid oyez' to the account of the
union, thus furnishing a reason for bis absence. Mr.
Bristow, on reaching Birmingham, made diligent in-
quiries, and after much trouble ascertained ;hat Mr.
Lowe had taken tea at the Crown Inn, Carr's-Lane and
left about eleven o'clock on Tuesday night, saying ,he
was going to Ilalesowen. Mr. Bristow then proceedea:
to the railway station, and found that a person answer-
ing Mr. Lowe's description had left on Tuesday night
by the mail train for Liverpool. On Friday morning
Mrs. Lowe raceived a letter from her husband, dated
Liverpool, but containing no information as to what
course he intended to pursue; Mrs. Lowe immediately
started for Worcester, to endeavour to induce one of her
husband's sureties, both of whom reside in this city, to
accompany her to Liverpool in search of her husband;
but it was a fruitless search, as on Saturday an unsealed
note was received, written in pencil on a scrap of paper
torn from a memorandum-book, and without a date, ea;
follows: —' I have sailed this morning, and will write as'
soon as I can.—ll. L." It bore the Liverpool post-mark
of the 10th inst. It thus appears that he left on Friday,
and it is probable that nothing more will be heard of
him till lie reaches his destination. An universal feeling
of sympathy is manifested for the situation of his wife
and four children, who are thus unexpectedly aban--
doned by their natural protector.-- Worcester Herald.
WILL OF LORD KEANE, G.C.B.—The will of Lord
Keane has just been proved in Doctors' Commons. His
Lordshjp by this instrument gives to his Wife, Charlotte
Maria, his mansion, carriages, wine, several Articles of
plate, and the sum of 10,0001. To his daughtei Char-
lotte, 5,4001. He observes :—" As my son, Eclislod
Arthur Wellington Keane, is entitled to a pension Of
2,0001. a year from Government, I consider him suffi-
ciently provided for, and bequeath him my Ghuznee
sword." To his son George Keane he gives " the sword
given me by the King of Caubul, and the Lahore match..
locks and artillery models brought from India." To his
son Hussey Fane Keane, his " Cutch sword and Sinde'
rifle." He observes :—" My collar, ribbon, and badge
of the Order of the Bath will have to be given up to the
Herald's-office, but my other stars are my own property,
and I bequeath them to my wife." lie gives to his sons
a bond of Lord Vivian for 10,000/. To his executers
he gives 2,000 L to purchase a company in one of her
Majesty's regiments for his son John, and directs the=
to apply an additional 2,0001 for his benefit till such.
company is obtained. Te his " faithful servant, Richard
Hyman, 200/." The remainder of his property is be-
queathed to his wife and two sons, Hussey and George
Keane. The executors appointe,d are Ronald Macdo-
nald, Esq., George Keane, Esq., 1141 Charles gopkin-
son, Esq. (the banker). The propilrty is sworn tinder
45,0001. The will bears date July, 1144.
DEATH OF A PAUPER IN THE ACT 'OF REMOYAL.--?
Mr. Baker, sen., on Saturday last, held an inquest at the
Cumberland's Head, City-road, on the body of Mary Ants
Gatheard, aged 35, a sempstress. It appeared from the
evidence, that illness had rendered deceased incapable
of working, and reduced her to a state of great destitu-
tion. her malady of course increased, and though
she had been at first medically treated by the parish
surgeon, she received little benefit, and it was resolved
on Thursday afternoon last to remove her to the in-
firmary of St. Luke's Workhouse. She was accordingly
removed thither in a cab, and as the were ta!ting her
into the sick ward, she expired.
death." Verdict-4 Natural
a the late tof the Kin
jest's aquatic excursions,
nd
It is fully believed that in consequence of her Ma.
I Navy • but at present the names of the officers
the Roya
of the French, that certain promotions will take place in
rest probably be several weeke
before
are gazetted, asit will take
some time for
uponthey conjecture. It will
the Board of Admiralty to consider the claims of those
who have been recommended for advancement.— United
Service Gazette.
FOOD FOR CATTLE.—The Lords Commissioners of
the Treasury have given permission for upwards of 20
tons of the Lotus nut to be admitted without payment of
any duty for Earl Spencer, which he is about to import
for the purpose of the article being tried as an experi-
ment as food fur cattle, which is expected to arrive in
the sloop Peace, T. Bidwell, master, and will be denomi-
natcedoLboyNtihAeLli‘'oiritsulgxuieEsse._naAmeßaArlbfaardoiabna.
journalist puts
prominently forward, among his " leaders," this pithy
and pathetic paragraph:—"The want of rain is now, we
believe, pretty generally felt by our country friends.
The dust n the city is exceedinglyheattruounbfiltessoumseftoor mer-
chants and householders. The
any-
thing like mental labour."
The kindness of Vice-Admiral La Susse in issuing
cards of admission, through the Consul at this port, for
viewing the splendid ship Gomer, was rewarded by some
thoroughly English individuals breaking both the glasses
over the portraits of the King and Queen of the French
in the state saloon.—Hampshire Advertiser.
The High Sheriff and magistrates for the county
of Hertford have conferred the appointment of governor
to the Gaol and House of Correction of that county on
Mr. Samuel Hatchard, deputy-governor of the Paden,
tiary, Milbank.

SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS,

member that we are considering regions in which
the sustenance of mere animal life hardly de-
mands a moment's care. When, however, you
throw
.high wages into the hands o' the igno-
rant population of such regions, it ii plain that
you give them more money, much more money, than
it is possible for them to consume in satisfying their
moderate wants ; this money must therefore be
expended in excesses fatal to health and morals,
or hoarded with a view to obviate the necessity of
future toil; but it is hard to say which of the two
processes is the more efficacious in diminishing
a labouring population, that is, in exasperating
the disease by which the sugar colonies are already
sinking. This is a subject of deep importance, to
which we have often before referred, and to which
we shall again refer fully ; at present, however, we
allude to it only to show that it is not by high pro-
tecting duties the sugar colonies can be saved.

FROM TUE EVENING PAPERS OF SATURDAY.
GLOBE.—The Government organs evince con-
siderable uneasiness on the subject of Irish politics.
The state of the Tories is one of conscious danger—
with this additional source of alarm, that they are
ignorant of the quarter whence the shock will come.
Bewilderment is thus superadded to fear. It is
plainly seen that the ensuing session will prove
pregnant with embarrassment to Ministers. Their
criminal neglect of means for improving the
condition of the Irish people since they en-
tered apon office, has deepened and widened the dis-
affection with which the people of that country be-
held their assumption:of rule. Protestants, in whom
the love of country is not wholly extinct, now
openly avow their conviction that some organic
change in the existing order of things is neces-
sary ; and manifest a disposition to merge
their former differences with their Catholic fellow-
countrymen in a confederation, by which a
radical change in the Constitution may be effected ;
hoping, that thus something may be effectel
for their common interests. This state of feeling in
those who were wont to deprecate agitation, and to
eschew all desire to meddle with established institu-
tions, is among the most significant indications of
danger to the Government. All confidence in
the ability all hope from the wisdom of her
Majesty's present advisers have passsed away,
even from those who were most disposed to
regard Sir Robert Peel's accession to power
as fraught with promise of peace and security to Ire-
land. To a certain extent the vocation of O'Connell
has ceased. Agitation for repeal—as a definite pro-
position for procuring for the suffering masses of Ire-
land a redress for public grievances, and a relief
from the physical and social evils which per-
vade the great mass of the eommunity is
no longer in that state of fervid activity
which lately seemed to defy opposition, and
spurned all milder schemes as futile and treacherous.
This stilling of the waves is accounted for on prin-
ciples which bode anything but peace or stability to
the Government. The great Agitator has retired
from the stage to the repose of the domestic scene.
But it is to avail himself of the quietude of seclusion
to observe events as they arise, and to prepare, with
more perfect adaptation to their objects, his own
schemes of action. The party which has hitherto
agreed to denounce and oppose the power of O'Con-
nell, and which has been actuated by one common
effort to neutralise his influence and to extirpate his
projects, is now divided. A manifest inclination
to fraternize with him, in order to obtain from the
Legislature a modification of his own scheme, is now
evinced. The policy of O'Connell, under such cir-
cumstances, is obvious. Federalism is but repeal
under another name—a duodecimo edition of the
larger work. It will, therefore, gratify the ever
varying taste of the Irish people; and flatter the
personal vanity of those who have broached the
new delusion. To keep up the agitation for re-
peal while the new project is yet before the multi-
tude, with all the attractions of novelty fresh upon it,
would be only to bring federalists and repealers into
angry collision, and thus weaken and eventually
destroy both. Coalition is O'Connell's obvious desire.
He will pare down repeal to the dimensions of
federalism ; if, by so doing, he can effect a junction
of the disaffected Protestants with his followers.
The sagacity for which Mr. O'Connell has been
ever distinguivhed will not desert him now, when he
most needs it. He sees, with intuitive perception,
the bearings of his new position, and is per-
fectly' content to shape his course in accord-
ance with the views of the federalists, if by so
doing he can advance his own. The greater the num-
bers which can be brought to act upon the Govern-
ment, will press out of it the greatest amount of con-
cession to their claims. Repeal and federalism are
alike impracticable-as ultimate objects. Either may,
however, be employed as means to an end. Agitation,
under whatever name, is merely symptomatic of de-
rangement in the body-politic. Remove the cause
of the disease, and the symptoms which indicate
the presence of the varied maladies will disappear.
The coalition which Sir Robert Peel will have to
meet in the next session, and from which he and his
adherents may well shrink with dread, will be a union
of all who are are anxious to bring back the estranged
affection of the Irish people to a reasonable and firm
attachment to England—and English connexion,
as the source of their own security and prosperity.
To effect this, every nerve must be strained, both
in and out of Parliament, to force remedial mea-
sures from or upon the Government; or, in the
event of refusal or resistance, to drive Ministers
from their posts. The necessity is urgent, for the
dangers of delay are great. The people of England
are determined to maintain the union intact and in-
violate. They know, also, that this can only be donr
by making it manifest that the benefits of the union
shall be felt by the people of Ireland, as
well as talked of by their rulers. We have
reason to believe that the Liberals will com-
mence the coming session with demanding from
the Government an announcement of the mea-
sures they intend to submit with reference to Ireland.
If Ministers have no specific measures in readiness,
the Opposition will be ready to propose their plans;
and thereon issue will be joined. What the result
will be to the Government we cannot predict. That
a very considerable amount of substantial benefits,
tending to conciliate the affections of the Irish nation,
and consolidate the scattered elements of Ireland',
strength, will be the consequence, we feel assured.
STANDARD.—If we were not well aware of the
indisposition, not to say inability, of our order gene-
rally to deal with any subject upon comprehensive
principles, we should be at a loss to understand the
purpose of the leading article which we have copied
from the Times of this day. On the 19th of October
our Contemporary goes back to a discussion and
decision at the end of June, the results of which dis-
cussion and decision are now unalterable, with no
purpose that we can conceive but to raise a sneer
at the reasoning of the Prime Minister. This
piirpose will, however, fail ; for the reasoning of
Sir Robert Peel, whether the Times can understand
it or not, will be perfectly satisfactory to all intelli-
gent men. The British empire is composed of many
parts variously circumstanced, but all equally en-
titled to the protection and favour of the Government.
The Queen s Government would not, however, act
impartially towards all the Queen's subjects, were
to give to any one portion of them advantages
at the expense of the rest. These are propositions,
we suppose, open to no objection ; and the
simple, clear, and satisfactory application of them
i.tSir Robert Peel's argument upon the sugar
question is perfectly obvious. The population of our
sugar colonies, whatever their colour or . rank
are entitled to the same care and protection
ith, the population of the British islands, or of
any other part of the empire, but no more. Now,
protecting the population of the British colonies
from the competition with the slave population of
the Brazil% and Cuba, gives to our own colonies
that protection which they have a right to claim, at
the same time maintaining the honour of the
British empire—happily bound up with the sup-
pression of slavery and vindicating the liberty
of the human race. To protect the British sugar
colonies from competition with the slave popula-
tion of the Brazils and Cuba was, besides
Icing a consistent, philanthropic, and religious act,
the discharge of a just debt to the colonists, from
ashcan we had taken the power to compete with
slaveholders; but to protect the British sugar
eolonists from competition with other free sugar
colonies by more than a moderate duty would
be an act of gross injustice to the consumers of
sugar in Great Britain, Ireland, and elsewhere
through the Queen's dominions, without ultimately
benefiting the British sugar colonies themselves.
In considering the comparative claims of different
p irtions of the empire, we must! take into account
the claims of the aggregate population of each por-
tion, not the claims of any particular class in it. The
question, therefore, lies between the social condition
the British islands and the sugar colonies, each in
iniegro, and it comes to this—are the mass of the British
population in so much better a condition than the mass
of the population of the sugar colonies, that it is just
to raise prices, or to sustain high -prices, against
the former, for the benefit of the latter P Ought
we to require from the British labourer, for
example, who rarely commands 12s. a week, a
high price for one of the necessaries of life (for
such sugar has now become), in order to pam-
per the West Indian negro, who can command
'Ns. a week, and who resides in a country where
the demands of house-rent, fuel, clothing, and even
Cod, do not, on the whole, amount to one-half of
these demands in England ? This is the plain
question, and the answer to it is so very plain,
that it is unnecessary to go into the examina-
tion of the thousand artifices by which a very high
protecting duty, operating against the produce of
many countries, might be and would be evaded.
_ any one objects that it is not the con-
dition of the negroes but that of the planters we are
to take into the comparison, our answer is that in the
Present state -of the West India sugar colonies, the
m
groes are so completely masters of the market,
tliat whatever advantageis conceded to the colo-
nies, must devolve to them, and to them ex-
clusively. The supply of
arlabour is notoriously
deficient, and they who e
s furnish that
supply can, therefore, command the
adopt no other measu3re but
f
ti.ey will, of course,
wages but the ability of the employers to Pay, and
whatever is given to the employers, by consequence,
eemes to them in the end. This is the explanation
of the monstrous rate of wages at present in the
West India colonies generally an abuse which
orerates more than any other cause to ruin these
colonies, and which, if some corrective be not
applied, must go on aggravating itself until
the colonies shall be ruined irrecoverably. In con-
sidering the sofa colonies, we must constantly re•

THE HOUSE OF KE .
We copy the following curious article from the
Mona Herald of Wednesday, showing that the Manx
people also want a change in their representative
system :
" The enemies of legislative reform are busy in
conjuring up the falsehood, that the late demonstra-
tions here made, in favour of free trade and legislative
reform, are some how or other connected with Irish
Repeal agitations. This may gull some stupid block-
heads, whose eyes are still half covered with old Tory
scales; but to men of sense and reason, such trash
cannot go down. There is not the least connexion,
nor even remote relationship between the two subjects.
Ireland is struggling to obtain the repeal of a com-
pact of union entered into 1800, and ratified by Act
of Parliament, by which the two islands became the
United Kingdom of Great Britain. She seeks to
restore an Irish Parliament, which she surrendered in
that compact, so that she shall again enjoy a domestic
or local legislature. Now whether this struggle is
just in itself, or whether Irish oppressions have
rendered such a demonstration as has been witnessed
in Ireland, for the year past justifiable or not, has no
connexion with Manx reform. We have freely ex-
pressed our opinion of Irish wrongs, and may do it
again ; but whether that opinion is well founded or
otherwise, it has nothing to do with a reform in the
House of Keys in the Isle of Man. We have never en-
tered into a compact with the British Government to
merge our local legislature into the British Parliament;
neither have we ever been concerned in an Act of Parlia-
ment which dissolved our House of Keys, or deprived
us of being fully represented in that House. Again
observe, the contest in Ireland is with the Home Go-
vernment, struggling for something which that Go-
vernment opposes. Not so with the Isle of Man.
Thank God, we have no contest with the Home Go-
vernment; we are struggling for nothing but what
that Government approves, and to grant which that
Government stands ready to put forth its sovereign
power, whenever we shall ask her constitutionally to
interfere. It is apparent, then, as there is no con-
nexion between the two subjects, there can be no
general sympathy between Reformers here and re-
peelers there. To test this question still further—
suppose the Isle of Man were sunk in the ocean to-
day, would it directly or indirectly affect Irish re-
peal ? Or if, on the other hand, Ireland were sunk
to-day, and the Isle of Man remaining, would not her
rights to a representative government remain the same
as they now are ? and would she not pursue and pro-
secute those rights by the same means, and in the
same demonstration that she now does ?
Again, these quibblers tell us that this recent move-
ment on the island for an elective House of Keys is
but the effervescence of the moment, produced by the
arrival of the "Radical Dr. Bowring" on our shores,
who, seizing the hour of his ephemeral popularity, has
roused up the elements of commotion, and set society,
in a blaze. We indignantly deny this as a base per-
version of fact, and fling it back with contempt to
the promoters and fosterers of our degraded evils.
That the Manx people are grateful to Dr. Bowring
for the efficient and effectual aid he has given them,
in redeeming them in part from the galling fetters
the license system is true. That they would be thank-
ful to any one who should interest himself in their
favour, to tear off any of their shackles, is
not denied. But we are bold to maintain,
and we challenge refutation, that if Dr. Bowring
had done nothing for this island, but had
merely come here, proposing to aid the people
in the recovery of their rights to a free and re-
presentative government, the very cause which he
proposed to advocate, laying so near the hearts of
our people, they would have come forward in the en-
thusiasm of demonstration and hailed him as he ap-
proached our shores, as the coming benefactor of the
Manx people.

YS,

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING OCTOBER 21,

the above purpose, and on Mr. Humphries applying
for the costs, the magistrate, in reply, said that he
should be guided as to whether the informer should
pay all the costs on the final decision of the in-
formation.

EXETER COURT ofBANKRUPTCY
PURITY OF ELECTION IN CORNWALL.

IN RE ROBERT EVERY.

The insolvent, a farmer of Callington (Cornwall),
was opposed by Mr. Whiteford, of Plymouth, for a
debt incurred by judgment against him, in an action
for "malicious" trespass. He had rented a farm
called Castlewick, of D. r. Penny, and forcibly kept
possession, on the expiration of the lease, against the
new tenant, after his furniture had been removed.
After a long examinati▪
on he was remanded.
A curious electioneeri▪
ng anecdote came out in the
examination. Captain Poade, of Slades, son-in-law to
the late Dr. Penny, was latterly insolvent's landlord.
During the election for East Cornwall, insolvent said
.
he met Mrs. Poade the street at Calling-ton. She
asked who he was going to vote for ? " I don't
know," said he. She said, "To be sure you vote for
Lord Eliot." He said," Why have you not done as
Lord Eliot has ?" (His Lordship had recently re-
mitted part of his rents, and insolvent complained that
his rent was too high.) She said, " This is no time
for such a discussion as that." He answered, " You
have used me :very ill:" She took a blue ribbon from
her reticule, and tied it to his button-hole. "There,"
she said, "go along and vote for Lord Eliot, and you
shall have no cause to complain." "And so," said the
insolvent to the court, "I did go and vote for Lord
Eliot, and this is the way she has served me."