The Sun.
London, England, 1842-03-30 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARcui 30, H,,42.

LITERATURE.
LONDON LEGENDS. 2 Vo!s.
_ Bentley, London, 1842.

If the reader be not very fastidious in his taste,
he may possibly find amusement in these
volumes, which contain a series of tales illustra-
tive of the historical and romantic traditions of
Old London and its environs. The most entertain-
ing of these tales—which is very naturally
placed first—is entiled the " Foster Son,"
and relates to the memorable period of Jack
Cade's rebellion, when the metropolis was
for some days in a state of perfect panic,
the rebel having taken up his head-quar-
ters in Southwark. Some of the author's sketches
connected with this incident are passable enough,
particularly the account of a visit, for the pur-
poses of plunder, paid by Cade and his followers
to a wealthy London merchant; on whose ex
chequer they levy a sort of income tax, urging
the same plea for the impost that the Tories are
now urging, and with equal propriety. But if we
except the cursory sketches of the rebels, and
their attack on London Bridge, which certainly
give some evidence of graphic ability, there is
not much to praise in the " Foster Son," for it is
loosely and carelessly constructed ; the language
is tame and slip-shod; and the various personages
pourtrayed are merely so many common-place
generalities. The same objections apply more or
less to the remaining tales, which, however,
possess the virtue of brevity to recommend them.

POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY.
Chapman and Hall, London, 1842.
For this usetid and elaborate work we are in-
debted to the Society for the Diffusion of Use-
ful Knowledge, at whose suggestion it was
written, and under whose superintendence
it has been published. The work is introduced
by two able chapters devoted to the consideration
of the fundamental principles of Government,
and then proceeds to give an account of the dif-
ferent.systems of legislation adopted by different
countries. The particulars respecting the usages
of the French monarchy, previous to'- the Revo-
lution of 1780, are very full and explicit, and are
pcnded in a calm and rational spirit of inquiry.
BuCio us, the most acceptable portion of the vo-
lumdlis the Introduction, in which the "Objects,
Pleatures and. Advantages of Political Science"
arc donsidered ; and in which we find the follow-
ing, among many just and impressive passages
" Thermischiels are incalculable which have re-
sultedr4o our species, from the habitual false
judgmcuiits formed of human conduct and charac-
ter by. the hulk of mankind ; and it must
in fairness be confessed, that the great crimes
which have been committed by statesmen in
all ages, have been mainly caused by the en- •
couragement which the people have given to the'
criminals.. Dazzled by success, subdued by the
spectacle "'of triumphant force, stricken with
wonder at the mere exercise ofgreat faculties, and
the sight of the events which they brought about,
men have .withdrawn their eyes from the means
used to attain those ends, and lost their natural
hatred of vice in their admiration of genius,
and their sense of power. No disgust at mean-
ness, no scorn of treachery, no horror of cruelty,
has hitherto availed against the false lustre
shed over: despicable and detestable deeds by
brilliant Capacity, crowned with victory. But
that is not all the folly committed by unreflect-
ing men. The most absolute disregard to
their own interests has been coupled with their
misplaced admiration of successful guilt."

SABBATIVI NO PART OF CHRISTIAiVI7 .
A Discourfl preached in Union-street Chapel, Glasgow,
Feb. 27, 18 2, by John Taylor.
London : J. Wardon, 7, Farringdon-street. Edinburgh :
.R.'l?. Nelson. Glasgow : J. Owen.
This discourse (published by request) we con-
fidently commend to the notice of our readers.
At a time whet the public mind is being agitated
by violent addresses from the pulpit and the
press upon thet. so-called " desecration of the
Sabbath," owing! to the decision recently come
to by the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
Company, to allow the public to be accommo-
dated by running,two trains on Sundays, it is
highly creditable tq the Unitarian minister, who
resides in the midit of a prejudiced people, thus
boldly to step for Ward and place before the
public just and scriptural views of the Sabbath
question. Mr. Taylor takes fur his text those
memorable words or our Saviour, Mark, c.
v. 27, 28, " And be-said unto them, The Sab-
bath was made for man, and not man for the
Sabbath ; therefore the Son of Man is Lord also
of the Sabbath."
We have only-space-for one or two extracts,
or it would afford us pleasure to introduce to our
readers many remarks: of the talented and re-
spected author of this discourse :
This remark of Christ's fffas intended to discounte-
nance the rigour and minuteness of observance by
which the Jews impeded miry* actions on their sacred
day ; and we repeatedly find'in the Evangelical narra-
tives, that Jesus came into contact with the Pharisaic
temper on this subject, and ,iehuked it. I need only
adduce one illustration to show ;the opposition between
the sentiments and feelings of Jesus, and those of the
Jews told many moderns on the subject of Sabbatical ob-
SerVance ; and that may be found in the instance of
healing an impotent man on the Sabbath, when Jesus
said, "Rise, take up thy bed, and *talk." Now, it was
considered exceedingly improper to carry anything along
the streets of Jerusalem en the Sabbath-day ; and ac-
cordingly we find that a commotiouNgas excited by this
action, and " the Jews therefore saiOnto him that was
cured, It is the Sabbath-day ; it is notAawful for thee to
carry thy bed." And, my brethren, I an well imagine
the commotion that would be excited iiii•rois city (Glas-
gow), amongst many who consider themielves exemplary
Christians, if, on what is most erroneously called the
Christian Sabbath, a man ere to be seta carrying any
large article of household furniture along these streets,
in the face of multitudes who were issuing from their re-
spective places of worship. Shall I be told that Christ
commanded only a work of necessity ? I say, No ;
there was no necessity for the man to ettrry his bed.
Considering the immense benefit which had been con-
ferred upon him, in perfect restoration to health and
strength, he might well have been contented to neglect
his bed and leave it behind him, rather than shock the
religious feelings (shall we call them prejudices ?) of his
countrymen. Jesus, had he entertained any such ideas,
as many moderns have, on the so-called desecration of the
Sabbath, ought surely to have said, " Rik, and walk,"
not " Take up thy bed, and walk."
The preacher proceeds to prove 'that the fol-
lowing statements are true :-
1. That the Jewish Sabbath, as enjoinettiii the Mosaic
Scriptures, was a local and national institute.
2. That no day is enjoined by Christialnity as more
sacred than another, but all days are alike.. i
3. That what is now the first day of the week, may be,
as it is, with the greatest propriety, dedicated to the
combined purposes of religious worship and rational
recreation.
4. That the spirit which enforced the observance of
the Jewish Sabbath, and which dictates the keeping of
the Christian's day of rest, is entirely at variance with
the spirit which many modern divines would infuse into
the observance of one day in seven as a religious season.
We cannot refrain from quoting the two con-
cluding paragraphs of the .discourse, as Mr.
Taylor's views are very similar to our own:—
I have thus endeavoured to show the manner and spirit
in which any day, set apart for rest and worship, may
be observed without checking what is natural and pleas-
ing, without restraining the cheerful spirits of the young,
w ithout either shedding gloom over the family circle, or
introducing hypocrisy into the observance of religious
forms, without fettering the consciences of others, or
rendering the profession of Christianity offensive by
making it the disturber of the natural pleasures of mul-
titudes, while, at the same time, without in the least
countenancing any vicious excess or immoral practice.
`ln conclusion, I enter my solemn protest-against any
man being considered irreligious because he denies the
express Divine appointment of one day in seven for reli-
gious worship, or because he rejects the notion of sanctity
as attaching to any day. A man's life may be a perpe-
tual and acceptable service to God, though he does not
observe as sacred " days and months, and times, and
years." And I also protest against the idea of any man
being engaged in a sinful occupation, because on some
part of the Christian day of rest he may attend to secular
employments, and render himself useful in forwarding
communications between the different cities and districts
of a great empire like this, or in assisting others to visit
their friends, and enjoy the happiness of social and do-
mestic affection, or in ministering by a small outlay of
his own labour, to the comfort, convenience, and happi-
ness of multitudes ; especially if such a man has leisure
on other parts of the day to attend to his mental and
spiritual improvement, and can, if he pleases, embrace
the opportunity which every reflecting person will be
glad to improve, of worshipping humbly-, gratefully, and
reverentially, " the God and. Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ," who " bath given us richly all things to enjoy."

exhibiting • a- countenance distracted with a
hundred conflicting emotions. Next to the -Spy,
is his son—a dogged, sullen-looking lad attentive
to all that is passing, and apparently more soli
citous to revenge his father's certain death, than
to . console his surviving parent for her loss.
Nothing can be more dexterous or ingenious than
the disposition of these several characters, or
more true to life than the expression of their
countenances. The Carlist leadett, Zumala-
carragui is, of course, the prominent figure; he
looks bold, decided, and thoughtful, as if he had
already made up his mind respecting the spy's
doom, and had passed to the consideration of far
more momentous matters.' His costume—which
is remarkable alike for simplicity and singularity
—is, we understand, just such as he invariably
wore during his campaigns, and which he never
laid aside, except when it was necessary that he
should make his appearance at the motley court
of Don Carlos. "At this time," says the artist,
in his small pamphlet, eXplanate,ry of the print,
" .Zumalacarragui was forty,five years bktget'ftrid
of middle stature, but his carriage and personal
conformation tended in appearance to diminish
his height. He inclined forward in an habitual
stoop, and the unusual breadth of his shoulders,
bull-neck, and other proportions, were indicative
of great muscular strength. He always wore a
Zamarra, or fur-jacket. His hair was dark,
tending to black, though not absolutely
so ; this he kept closely cut, and his
moustache and. whiskers were so trimmed as to
meet upon the cheek. His eyes were of a dark,
grey colour, and naturally piercing.
,The
ex-
pression of his countenance, when not actively
occupied, was that of settled and severe thought;
but when in front of troops, the features ex=
pressed 'more life, yet not less sternness. He
rarely yielded to anything like mirth, and his
pleasantries scarcely went beyond a tacit sthile."
Just such a character—so fax as countenance and
bearing can indicale it—is delineated in :the pre-
sent engraving. The spy, who. is the next pro-
minent figure, exhibits a dogged detern:ination
and hardihood, as if he had made up his mind to
the worst, and was perfectly aware that his destiny
was decided. The figure and attitude of his•sup-.
pliant wife soften the sterner leatilres of the pic-
ture, and produce—as they are intended to do—
quite a pathetic effect on the-spectator. She looks
up with strea.miqg eyes -to the priest;-:- but in his
calm, and somewhat
,scornful• features, there is-
no visible appearance of relenting. He looks
like one too bigoted and callous of nature, to be
easily. deterred from a settled purpose. The
print, as we observed before, is highly in terest.
inv.:, and is remarkable for the vigor, variety, and
historical truth of its details. From its massive
shadows, and here and there bright gleams of
light, it Would show to great advantage in a
plain, gold frame. We may add that it is a
mezzotint, and is exquisitely engraved by Lewis.

THE MEET AT MELTON.
Gtaces, London, 1342.

We are indebted for thiS spirited mezzotint
engraving to the pencil of Mr. llumplireys, who
has executed it from an original painting by Mr.
Grant, which is now in the possession of the Duke
of 'Wellington. The picture represents the meet-
ing of the Mel:on Mowbray huntsmen, who are
just setting Out on a fox-hunt. The scene is a fine
open tract of ground, gently swelling up into
gradual elevations in the intermediate distance,
and bounded, at the Iltrthest pOint of sight, ap-
parently by a range of downs, intersected by
small 'copses. Though there are considerably
upwards of thirty figures pourtrayed, yet the
canvas is anything but crowded, so adroitly has
the artist disposed his _groups. Almost all his
figures are portraits, and we can bear testimony
to the accuracy of not a few of them. For life,
and vivacity, and ease, we have of late years
seen few pictures superior to this.

NAPOLEON.
Graves, London, 1842.
A half-length portrait of Napoleon, engraved
by Lewis, from a painting executed by Delaroche
—a French artist—in the, year 1838. Consider-
ing that the likeness was taken from other por-
traits of Napoleon, who was mouldering in his
rocky tomb at Saint Helena, in l 838; we are
surprised at the accuracy with which the artist
has hit off, what has been generally supposed to
be, the leading expression of his features. There
is a sternness, not unmixed with melancholy, in
features; ,and he is attired in his favourite
;rey great coat, and little cocked hat. As a
work of art, the print is a very creditable one.

BELGIUM.

BRUSSELS, MARCH 26.—CONCLUSION OF THE TRIAL
OF THE CONSPIIVATORS.—VERDICT OF THE JURY, AND
SENTENCE OF THE Comm—At length, after near a
month of anxious inquiry, this sad affair has come to a
conclusion. Yesterday the President summed up the
evidence, giving the Jury a series of questions to rep*
to.. By the first forty-five they were asked if each of
the nine prisoners were guilty, • during the months of
August, September, and October last, of conspiring to-
gether to overthrow or change the Government, the
order of succession to the Throne, and excite the
people to take arms;; against the royal authority ? • A
second series of questions were to the effect, whether De
Crehen, Vanderimere, Vandersmissen, and Parent, hod
purchased the cannon, powder, &c., to overturn the Go-
vernment? Ai-third series for the opinion of the Jury
was whether General Vandersmissen, his brother, his
wife, Parent, Verpraet, and Vanlaethem, had for
the above purpose endeavoured to enlist soldiers. The
Jury retired about two o'clock, and at four they an-
nounced the conclusion of their deliberations.
this moment there wee a great display of armed free.
•Kifey. gendarmes, at least, under the command of the
principal leaders of that force, were stationed in
the Court, while ihe court-yard was literally filled
witkesoldiers. The seat reserved for the prisoners was
strongly guarded`' also. The Jury now entered the
COtirt in the midst of a profound silence, and the Presi-
dent called on the public (it was hardly requisite, for the
Majority present consisted of armed men) to abstain from
all marks of approbation or disapprobation. The fore-
man, in a voice trembling with emotion, then pronounced
a verdict of guilty as regarded General Vandermeere,
• Baron Vandersmissen, and De Crehen; also as regarded
Verpraet and Void:Mt-hem, but only by a majority of
seven votes:ngiiinst_ five ; and a verdict of acquittal as
regarded 'lntendant Parys, Joseph Vandersmissen
(brother of the BarotO, Madame Vandersmissen,
(wife of the Baron), and Parent. De Crehen, though
found guilty on one count, was declared by the Jury not
guilty on another,_ -as he. had revealed the complot before
any overt, act. This amounted to a full acquittal under
article 108 of the penal code, and De Crehen was ec-
cordingly set at liberty.
You perceive that .an unanimous verdict of guilty was
only pronounced against two of the nine prisoners, viz.,
Vandermeere and Vandersmissen. As to Verpraet and
Vaniaethern,.the Juidges retired to consult, but after a
deliberation of three quarters 'of an hour, re-entered the
Court, when the President declared that they unani-
mously coneurred.with the majority of the Jury.
At this time the prisoners, who had retired, again took
their seats. Madame Vandersmissen, already conscious
of the verdict against her husband, was evidently suffer-
in'd 'tinder almost insupportable emotion. Joseph Van-
dernifisen (the brother of the General); though aware of
his .aequittAkPcould not restrain his feelings, and wept
like a child : it' stensecertainly altogether a scene which-
few could witness unnaeVed ; nor was its touching nature
lessened, by the calm, manly, and soleirin deportMent of
those who-e guilt had been declared. After certain
forms had been gone through, the President pronounced
the ordinance of acquittal. as regarded. Parys, Joseph
Vandersmissen, Madame Vandersmissen, and Parent.
It was here that one of those scenes took place which
are hardly describable. Madame Vandersmissen re-
fused to leave her husband. She protested against his
condemnation ; and her imperfect French accent, though
rendering her words at times unintelligible, only seemed
to heighten the effect of her despair. So resolutely did
she determine not to be separated from him that, deaf
alike to the persuasiOns of her counsel, who went into the
dock to her, and the eAhortations of the President„ it
was clear she would .cede only to main force. The Pre-
sident, therefore, on the assurance of General Vanders-
missen that his wife would have firmness to hear the sen-
tence of the law pronounced, permitted her to remain.
On the demand of the Aeocat-General-the Court then
read a judgment by which Vandermeere, Vanders-
missen, Vanlaethem and Verpraet, were condemned to
suffer death en one of the public places of Brussels. The
prisoners listened to their sentence in cairn respectful
silence. The feel'ilga of Madame Vanderemissen, how-
ever, again mastered her, and with great violence she
pronounced some incoherent words, no doubt disrespect.
ful to the Court, for atlthe earnest reqiicst of her husband,
she after Wards said—" M. President, I beg pardon."
At half-past seven the Court rose, and the condemned
were reconducted to prison in the midst of a large con-
course of people. There was no attempt to commit any
breach of the peace, and Brussels was all last night, and
has been toclayeperfeetly quiet, nor does there seem the
slightest fear of any. disturbance.

That the sentence of death pronounced against the
two Generals, Vanlaethem and Verpraet, Will not be put
in execution, you will have no doubt after reading the
account of. the following extraordinary scene which took
place in the Court, last Thursday. One very natural
topic of appeal to the Jury, selected by the Counsel for
the prisoners:, was the severity of the punishment which
the law accords to the crime of treason, viz., death ; and
they implored the jurors not to sacrifice nine liveS, if
there existed'the possibility of a doubt as to the guilt of
the acctted: To this the Avocat-General replied, and I
am sure ho Englishman will read what follows without
feeling o something more than astonishment.

.
M. l'Avccat General—You know, Gentlemen of the
Jury, that we live under a Government too paternal : if
there be a difference of opinion .on the abolition of ca-
pital punishment, there are many who consider that for
great crimes it should be more frequently executed. But
as the defence has said much of the enormity of the pu-
nishment, I can tell you; in order to re-assure your con-
Sciences, that if in the affair which now occupies us, the,
punishment of death be pronounced, it will never be
executed.

MM. Vandermeere, yandersmissen, and Parys here
rose simultaneously and cried out, " We want no mercy,
we demand justice only."—(Great excitement throagh-
out the Court.)

Vandermere--We are innocent, we reject mere mercy.
M. le President—You have no right to interrupt the
public Minister; your apostrophe is an insult.
M. P2rys (with great vehemenCe, and in the midst of
extraordinary excitement)—We intend no insult, but we
may be allowed to reject this anticipated offer of mercy.
M. Roussel, Counsel for Parys—l must observe that
the language of M. l'Avocat-General has naturally pro-
voked a legitimate
.feeling of indignation ; we are offered
mercy.

141. 1e President—You will have your reply.
M. l'Avocat-General—l well knew my words would
excite recrimination. If you had not spoken of the pun-
ishment of death I should not have alluded to it. Ido
not understand why, as the defence spoke at large on that
subject, I am not to be permitted to reply.
M. Roussel—l call on the Court to take a note of the
words of M. l'Avocat-General, who, ignorant of the
Royal pleasure, has just made use of a right which be-
longs only to the King. I ask a note of this— that a
public officer has declared, that if the punishment of
death be pronounced, the sentence will not be executed.

M. le President—The .Avoeat-General did not ;peak
Ln a manner so positive. He said probably such a sen-
enc,t, would not be executed.

M. Bartels (another counsel for the defence)—Tlie
public officer spoke positively, but as he is permitted to
speak hypothetically, I demand, in my reply, to be 'al-
lowed also to treat of hypothetical circumstanc:s.
M. le PresidentlVe shall see how far it may be
allowed.

M. I'Avocat General—l deplore this incident, but I
did not. commence the subject ; and now, if thb Presi-
dent takei a note of my words, I am not afraid of the
consequences.

The 7 PresiCent did not take a note, and the subject
dropped. hut has not the Avocat-General placed the
Governmeht in an embarrassing position ? According
to the usual form the royal clemency is only extended to
those who ask for it. After the above assurance, it is
almost certain it will not be sued for (indeed many
doubt, from the character of the two Generals, if they
would have sought for pardon had no such assurance
been given), and yet how is the execution of the sentence
of death now possible ?

FURTHER Loss or . LIFE BY FlRE.—Yesterday
afternoon, at four o'clock, an inquest was held at the
Queen's Arms public-house, in Spa-row, Bermondsey,
before Wm. Carter, Esq., the Coroner for Surrey, on
view of the body of Mary Ann Weller, aged five years
and a half, the daughter of Mr. Thomas Weiler,- of No.
9, Spa. road, tanner, whose death was occasioned under
the following truly lamentable circumstances :—On
Thursday evening lest the deceased was left with. her,
brother in a.room by themselves, where there was a fire,
and it appears that the latter,' with a piece o£a stick, was
amusing himself by carrying it about the . rooM,. when
his sister, in endeavourin,r to take it from him, set her
clothes in flames, and; before they could be extinguished,
she was literally roasted alive, and expired in a- short
time afterwards. The Coroner remarked that he :had
never witnessed a more severe case of burning. Ver-
dict—" Accidental death."

A CIIILD THROWN INTO THE SEA BY ITS MOTHER.

—The Amsterdam papers of Wednesda) mention the
following affecting incident :—A deplorable event took
place on board the steamer the Beurs Van Amsterdam
on its voyage from Hamburg to Amsterdam, of which we
have the following particulars from good authority.
Among the passengers was a lady a native of Coblentz,
with a boy about ten years old, and another very young
child. She was married to a person of the North of
Germany, who had gone some years ago to try his for-
tunes in North America, and about two years ago had
invited her to follow him, This she. did, but was so it
treated by her husband that she . was obliged to return
to her friends in
.Europe. She had reached Hamburg
and resolved to go by way of Holland to countries on
the Rhine. The treatment she had suffered had made a
deep impression on the mind of the unhappy lady, the
traces of which, however, were not perceptible except on
a close observation, but all on a sudden they manifested
themselves in a fearful manner ; in a fit of desperation
she threw the youngest child into the sea, and attempted
to plunge in after it. The people on board hastcned to
give assistance too late to save the child, but in time to
hold back the mother, who was immediately taken into
the cabin, and all possible assistance given her. But her
understanding was gone. Here she arrived with her
son, and was put on board a steamer belonging to the
Rhine and l'ssel Company, where she was placed under
the care of proper persons, apart from the other pas-
sengers, to be conveyed to her native town.
ANECDOTE OF DUNNING.—Horne Tooke relates

th.) following anecdote, illustrative of the personal ap-
pearance Of Dunning, Lord Ashburton, who was the
most celebrated lawyer of his day. When it was the
custom for the barristers to leave chambers early, and
to finish their evenings at the coffee-houses in the neigh-
bourhood of the inns of court, Lord Thurlow, on one oc-
casion, wanted to see Dunning privately. He went to
the coffee-house frequented by him and asked a waiter
if Mr. Dunning was there ? The waiter,' who was new
in his pace, said he did not know him. "Not know
him?" exclaim° Thurhm, with his titial oath's,
into the room up stairs, and if you see any gentle,::an
like the knave of clubs, tell hint be is particularly
wanted." The waiter went up, and forthwith he
appeared, followed by Dannink.

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