The Sun.
London, England, 1844-06-12 00:00:00

~~r.~ra~~~~r~ ~"~s

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1844.

The principal business before the House of Lord's
last night was the second reading of the Bill for unitr
ing the sees of St. Asaph and Bangor, for which their
Lordships were summoned. The measure was (4)6
• posed by the Bishop of BANGOR, the Bishop of ST.
DAVID'S, the Bishop of LONDON, the Bishop of
SALISBURY, and the Archbishop of CANTERBURY;'
• the only Prelate who supported it being the Bishop of
LINCOLN, that support being given on the ground thai
the Bill held out the only chance of the creation oflt
Bishop of Manchester. j
The House of Commons met at the usual hour. ;
The second reading of the Irish Registration Mil
was fixed for the Ist of July.
Mr. BORTHWICX then made his promised motion.
• for a Select Committee into the operation of the
Anatomy Act. • •

•
A short discussibn ensued, and the Hon. Member's
motion was rejectedby a Majority of 39.
Mr. WARD then brought forward 'the motion of
which he had given notice, respeetint the state of
the Established Church in Ireland. He made an able
speech, recapitulating the arguments, that have fie-
_ quently been advanced against the anomalies
I. presented by the state of the Church yin Ireland.
Lord ELIOT followed Mr.- WAAD, opposing the

motion. • .
•
- The rest of the evening'viis- occupied' by speeches

.from Mr. SirAW",and lkfr. REDMNGTON, when the
-debate, on the motion of Cololiel RA.IVDtM, was
-adjourned.
The other orders of the day were then disposed of,
and the House adjourned at Twenty A.linntes :after
Twelve O'eloeli. •

It might appear, at first sight, to those who had not
- previously examined and considered the matter with
;All due care, that ltmust.be safe* forra:pnhlic man,
4110 is not very'certain of his grounds, to state a case
hypothetically, than': It would seem
:?tinter of course that; if he•hiva'a measUrestoipropose
-1-.,upon premises which, at.the moment, he'Cannot ve-
' ftir him tastate them as Condi-
• foi grarftid, thatuto propound them
git and incapable c''l disproof.
" authoritrand exainple of
be- _
`ed941110212i cirque
cirqt* a , many untoward"
incekV.- ale" uryler which be
AlinisteriL.inr; --defiance
n a s

of defective information, and despite of his
own grave doubts, to proceed upon these
uncertain elements as if they were absolute
principles, in which he may venture to solicit
the concurrence of the Legislature with the views he
has founded upon their. If he assume antecedents to
have-actually happened, which he knows to be indis-
pensable to the establishment of those views, the
chances are, that one-half of his hearers will believe,
implicitly, that which he has so' assumed ; and that of
the other half who may dissent from, or dispute the
facts which are involved in such antecedents, but a
very few will be at the trouble to follow out the proof
of their fallacy ; and that even as to these, there is al-
ways the apologetic plea to be addressed (a plea which
the custom of Parliament is sure to admit to a plau-
sible Premier)—" that he has 'been mistaken as to
some facts ;' or inaccurately instructed as to a 'few
details,' but that the House will feel with him these
cannot affect the general results- he has arrived at."
It was, for example, a much more convenient course
for Sir ROBERT PEEL, in his speech of the 6th of
May, to declare the Order in Council of Mr. PITT,
in 1797, "a fatal blunder," than to set about the dan-
gerous task of showing why it had been so. In this
undertaking he would have made shipwreck of that
very un-seaworthy craft in which he has embarked
upon a sort of privateering cruise, under false colours,
against those legitimate intesests which the genius of
PITT at once unaerstood, developed, and protected. In
like manner, when Sir ROBERT asked (almost emu-
lating the sardonic gravity of him who demanded
" What is truth ?") " What is a pound ? " he'
answered his own question by some so unhesitating
propositions, that they were well calculated
to delude the majority of his hearers into
a notion that they must be facts because
they were positive averment. The Author of
" A Letter to the Premier," [the. second and enlarged
edition of which is now before us,] demolishes, as we
showed in a previous article, the whole hipothesis
upon which those propositions were fixed, and abso-
lutely disproved the statistics that the Premier
brought up to their support. Thus the definitions of
" a certain, definite quantity of the precious metals,"
"a quantity invariable as well as definite," were as
effectually routed as the imaginary "identity of the
value of our pound in coin," with that " unalterable,"
or "standard value," which it possessed in the last two
years of the reign of ELIZABETH. Sir ROBERT'S his.
torical' " memoranda," of themselves, extinguished the
" certainty," or "definitiveness," of the quan-
tity of precious metals of our pound at
various periods of the monarchy. The " In-
quirer after Truth " - contlusively proved that
since the reign, of ELIZABETH our 'unalterable pound
sterling had undergone, four several alterations : to
wit, in 1604, 1625, 1675, and 1815 ; that Sir
ROBERT has confounded the ideas of " standard," and
" measure " of value, by treating the terms us con.
vertibles ones, and applying equally to quality as to
quintity-Lthat moreover the relations of silver and
gold, instead of being properties capable of arbitrary
eqhatiOn, or given conditions determinable by the
caprice of a Minister, " are altered by circumstances
over which our rulers have no control."

In this last line a great political as well as financial
truth is inculcated, which is, we suspect, much more
profound than any " dreamed of" in Sir ROBERT'S
currency " philosophy." It is indeed evident that
whilst he imagines himself to be putting an issue be-
tween himself and his opponents on some assumption
so extravagant that it Could determine only in a re-
duCtio ad absurdem, that very issue which he can re-
gard only as a theoretical abstraction, has occurred !
and that facts, of which he appears profoundly igno-
rant, have practically demonstrated- his supposed
impossible 'absurdity. Let us cite from p. 22 of the
" Letter to the Premier," an instance strictly 'con-
firming our view of this-matter :—" What then," asked
Sir ROBERT, on the 6th of May, alluding to the Bir-
mingham strictures on his currency measures"—
" What, then, is the meaning of now asking that the
Bank should issue gold at the rate of 51. an ounce ? . . .
Depend upon ,it, that if you attempt to say, that one
ounce of gold shall not represent 3L 17s. Gil. in silver,
but 51.—silver and gold will be more powerful than your
legislation, and you will find it utterly impossible to
alter= the relative value of silver and gold.' You think,
Sir, that you have got your antagonists on the hip, but
you are mistaken : you will be thrown yourself. • The
truth is, that the -ounce of gold did,jat a certain period of
the late war, represent St in silver, and this without any
alteration of the relative value of two metals. The
silver coin was' diminished to keep proportion with the
gold by the issue of bank tokens ; so that, when an
ounce of gold was worth 54 the silver which was pre-
viously coined into 31. 17s. 104 d was coined into 5/. The
Spanish dollar, fir instance, which was previously reck-
oned to be worth 4s. 2d., was stamped anew by the Bank
and made to pass for ss. You have evidently misunder-
stood the question at issue, as well as misapprehended
the facts of the case. It does not concern the relation
of the two principal metals ,to each other in respect to
quantity, but their joint and equal relation in that re-
spect to the, denominations of our coins. If gold is re-
duced, silver is equally reduced, and so is also copper."

But we hope to find room to-morrow for a careful
notice of the second and much improved edition of a
pamphlet which will certainly rank hereafter as a text-
book with all those who desired to understand the
'operation of Sir ROUERT PEEL'S' most ill-advised
measures for the permanent disorganization and ulti-
Mate 'ruin of our monetary► system.

We quote the following paragraph from a Morning

Contemporary As the Emperor of Russia was
~p.!ssing through Trafalgar-square the other day on a
visit to Sir ROBERT REEL, he observed the unfinished
and.dreary appearance which the tardily erected me-
morial to the immortal NELSON still presents to the
eye. Inquiring the cause, his Imperial MAJESTY was
informed that a want of the necessary funds was the

only obstacle to its completion. The Emperor imme-
diately directed Chevalier BENXUAUSEN to put down
his name for a considerable sum, the amount of
.which; however, has not yet transpired. This is a
species of liberality which none 'can fail
.to adtiliie, and must ^ have the effect of ren-
dering the EMPEROR extremely popular with all

those persons desirous to see the national testimonial
'to our greateit naval hero proMptly and satisfazterily
-completed." Hisimperial MAJESTY certainly deserves
the public thanks for the liberality which prompted
his subscription to the NELSON column, nor are the
tact and sagacity of his munificence less to be ad-
mired; but how discreditable is it to our upper and
middle classes, who monopolise among them ahnost the
entire wealth of the country, that they should not
long before this have advanced, of their own accord,

without solicitation, the sums necessary for the com-
pletion of the memorial in question ? To our think-
ing, it reflects infinite disgrace on them' as English
citizens—who, one would have naturally supposed,
would be sensitively alive to the honour of their
"country-that th 4 should permit a Russian Em-
peror, the representative of the' despotic principle in
Europe, to furnish that , subscription which it
should have • been, their prida to' have furnished
themselves unhesitatingly months since !Hence-
forth no` Englishman will ever be able, to look
On the ' NELSON coluMn without - reflecting
with a blush of shame and indignation, that it most
probably would never have been completed,- had it
riot been for the sagacious and spontaneous liberality
-Of a Russian Czar. Were, the truth to be spoken, it
'should be recorded on the monument of the greatest
naval hero that this • spr any other country ever pro-
,duced, that its completion was solely owing to the
lucky visit of the Emperor NicioLAs to London, who,
seeing that the' work was unfinished, and shrewdly
anticipating that it. was likely to remain so-bearing
'in 'mind 'the extreme poverty of the aristocratic and
commercial community, which he must daily have
witnessedduring• hia brief stay in the metropolis—
gavel: _ orders, that the column should be
finished, nearly if not quite, at hill own expense.
We are always boasting of our naval supremacy, yet
to the Meniory.of. the .tnan WhO ensured us that su-
premacy—,who preserved our laws, our, liberties, our
wealth, our lives, everything', in Short, which we hold
InO4,4e,&i,.*hen they Isere, placed in inuninent:peril
by the Emperor
h.e
orNAmi`O;Cfriw4at that time t,l2iiiiiDticLaetoser
'?f Europe,-to
inestimable benefits, and to whose indomitalilecOurage
and disinterested patriotismwe have 30ehiastiing cause
to be grateful, we cannot.findit An our hearts to sub-
scribe a few paltry hundred pounds,' by way Of inark-
ing our due appreciation of his services ! Yet though
our "respectable classes—as they. are .so,:fond of
themselves-Lare too poor to Subscribe the noes.
nary'sums for the completion of a NELSON testimonial,
they are' not too poor to, Squander, nanny of,them,
their ten or• twenty pounds, on an Opera **, in
order to get a peep at a real Russian Autocrat, as was
the ease-the other night when the Ernperaluoves
1.134 Oen, tole ;urei.itis

genteel—it is fashionable fur a " respectable" man and
his family to be able to say that they have seen the
great Despot of the:North ; whereas it adds nothing at
all to their sense of self-importance to subscribe a
pittance in honour of the memory of the Hero of Tra-
falgar ; such an act is merely one of public respect and
gratitude—an old-fashioned feeling, which, in these
days of purely conventional refinement, spirit, and
gentility, is beneath a wise man's consideration. How
true is SIIAKSPEARE'II remark—who well knew and
thoroughly appreciated the world, if ever man did—
" The present eye praises the present object,
And things in motion sooner catch the eye
Than what not stirs:".

NELSON is no longer the " present object" to at-
tract the " present eye ;" he is dead, and with him
has died the public sense of the services he conferred
on his couutry—at least if we may judge from the
unfinished state of his monument; and we really be-
lieve that the aristocratic classes would sooner sub-
scribe for a statue in commemoration of the Emperor
NICHOLAS'S visit to London, than they would
subscribe to complete the column in Trafalgar-
square. Of a verity, great statesmen and warriors,
and authors, and artists have no great encou-
ragement to task their faculties, and wear away their
lives in the public service!

The intelligence from Madrid is to the 3d instant.
It appears that on the previous day a meeting of capi-
talists, holders of Government securities, was sum-
moned to consult respecting the means to be adopted
in the present crisis. The meeting took place at the
Bank of San Fernando, about three P.M., Senor
BOQUEIIO, one of the directors, in the chair. There
were not more than forty persons present, probably
owing to the short notice given. The feeling ex-
pressed was one of alarm and distrust, not with Senor
Mort individually, but in consequence of the system
which he was supposed to be pursuing, and the want
of all communication on his part respecting measures
in which all their interests were involved. A com-
mittee, consisting of Senors CAMPANA, CARRIQUIRI,
Mr. O'SREA, and two other Members, was appointed
by the meeting to hold a conference with the Finance
Minister, and report the result.
The state of the country in general is very unpro-
mising at present, owing to the long-continued rains
that have prevailed in many provinces, and the unsea-
sonably cold weather. There are fears that the har-
vest will be lost in Catalonia and some other parts..
It would seem as if the weather sympathised with
the political state of the country, and the elements
were out of order as well as everything else.

The most remarkable portion of the contents of the
Paris journals of Monday is to be found in their
speculations on the visit of the Emperor N icifoLas.
With respect to the political objects which they sup-
pose the Autocrat to have had in view, they assume,
with the most perfect absence of doubt in the matter,
that he came to the Court of St. James's to conclude
the negotiations that will give over to his power the
whole of those Christian States and provinces which
are yet subject to, or under the protection of Turkey.
The purpose of his visit being thus settled, they turn
to the manner in which he has been received, and on
this point they arrive at a pretty just conclusion. The
National says the language of the London journals
since the arrival of the EMPEROR, has completely
confirmed the accounts of its Correspondent, that the
visit of NICHOLAS did not produce any real sensation
among the people. It says, " Even curiosity was
scarcely excited for more than a moment by his un-
expected arrival. In general the English do not like
these surprises; regular and methodical even to
monotony, they have but little taste for the eccentri-
cities that disturb the things they cherish the most,
habits and settled modes of thought. In this respect then,
this courier Monarch and handsome man has com-
pletely failed in producing the effect he anticipated. He
thought, no doubt, to see a free country agitated, and
rendered anxious by his presence, like the barbarous
nations that are subjected to his power. He has
learned that liberty is still more proud than des-
potism ; but it is only the pride of despotism that is
ever offensive. Liberty, stronger than it, and also
calmer in its strength, looks with the utmost indif-
ference on the six feet figure of the Imperial tourist,
who thinks he can chain the attention of the world to
his movements." The same journal says, truly
enough, that the only indications of his presence
have been seen in the fates at the Palace, and
at Chiswick ; the people have been but very
little interested. It also alludes to the exertions
made by the London press to prevent any outbreak
of popular dislike against the Government of the
QUEEN, as a proof that such advice must have been
needed, or it would not have been given ; and it does
not let the occasion pass without pointing out the
insult given to France in the banquet to the EMPEROR
in the Waterloo Gallery ! Louis PHILIPPE may
avenge it in kind, by receiving his • next Royal guest
in the " Hall of Battles," and thus at once insult all
the nations of Europe, whose defeats are there re-
corded ; or if the Kin; of PRUSSIA should visit Paris,
he may be shown the Pont de Jena, or the Pont
d'Austerlitz. But for this pettishness the article of
the National is a sensible one.

There is no news of any positive kind from Algiers
but, in consequence of what has been before received,
the preparations for sending reinforcements to that
country are proceeding with every activity.
The railroad question occupies considerable space
in the columns of the Paris journals. The great prin-
ciple contended for seems to be, that it would be in-
expedient to shackle too heavily the companies who
may present themselves as bidders or contractors for
the various contemplated lines, and particularly in
respect of the length of lease desired by them ; but
that, if respectable companies do not offer for the
lines on fair terms, then the Government itself should
enter at once upon the execution of the projected
railways.
Lours PHILIPPE'S fete at Versailles to 1,500 of the
expositors of national industry, which took place on
Saturday, went off satisfactorily. The guests as-
sembled at half-past five in the picture gallery of the
Museum, and were allowed an hour and a half to
view its treasures. At seven o'clock the doors of the
the theatre were thrown open, and all were admitted,
without distinction of places, the simple mechanic in
many places occupying the boxes, while the peer
of France was glad to take refuge in the pit. The
KING, QUEEN, the Royal Family, all the Ministers,
with the exception of Marshal SOULT, a great num-
ber of the members of both Chambers, with other
functionaries, were present. Immediately after the
entrance of the Royal Family the performance, which
consisted of (Edipe a Colonise, the Favourite, and a
part of the Muet de Portici, commenced. Between
the acts refreshments were handed round to the
guests, and at the termination of the spectacle, after
loud cries of "Vive le Roi," "Vive la Reine," the
party broke up, and so the fête ended.

MR. CAPPS' LECTURES ON THE CURRENCY.—
Yesterday, in conformity with a notice duly adver-
tised in the papers, Mr. Capps, delivered at the British
Coffee House, a lecture on Sir Robert Peel's Cur-
rency Plans; showing their inevitable prejudicial
tendency and effects. Several Members of Parlia-
ment were present, and a numerous auditory of other
gentlemen—all of whom listened to Mr. Capps with
lively satisfaction. At the close of his very able lec-
ture—opportunity being given for objection and in-
quiry—the answers and explanations of the lecturer
were so clear and lucid, that not one word of dissatis-
faction with either was expressed. On the contrary,
every difficulty or doubt propounded was instantly
solved, The Hon. Member for Tynemouth having
then risen to move a vote of thanks to Mr. Capps,
(which was unanimously carried), urged that gen-
tleman to repeat his lecture on Thursday next ; and
was seconded in this request by George Stephen,
Esq. The lecturer having consented to repeat to-
day's lecture, accordingly, on Thursday next, several
gentlemen expressed their gratification at the oppor-
tunity which would be thus afforded them, of bring-
ing down their Parliamentary and other influential
friends, to hear his admirable exposition, and simple
treatment of this important subject.

TBE KING OF SAYONY.—In consequence of his
Majesty having •accepted an invitation to dine with Sir R.
and Lady. Peel on Saturday next, we have reason to believe
that the King will not leave for Scotland before Monday.
The Right Hon. Baronet has a distinguished circle to meet
his Majesty, and Lady Peel, it is said, will have an assembly
expressly in honour of his Majesty.
LONDON UsivEnsrrr:--,-The address of the students
to the professors of University College on the occasion of the
Queen's birth-dar, has just been published in an elegant
form, incbnjuliction with the poem written by Dr. Blarney,
and recited byTilni on the same auspicious day. Both are
ushered before the world by a dedication to Lord Brougham.
We take this opportunity of contradicting the statement that
appeared in the repott of the proceedings, given by a Morn-
ing Contemporary, that there was a manifestation of ill.feel-
ing on the occasion.
,We are assured that no such impro-
priety occurred, . • - •