The Sun.
London, England, 1842-02-26 00:00:00

sorry for the lessonswhich had been read to his Hon. Friend the
Member for North Lincolnshire—( Great cheet ing and laughter
from the Opposition)—and he hoped his Hon. Friend and other
Gentlemen on that side of the House would profit by it.—
(Laughter and cheers from the Opposition:) Their sin uld
learn that they were sending up pilot balloons which served
no other purpose but to indicate the course Which thy
were very likely to take.—( Great cheering and laughter. )
He thought it was sufficient for the justification of his Hon.
Friend that the Noble Lord opposite (Lord Palmerston) would
be compelled to vote with him.—( Great cheers and laughter.)
Whatever might be the feelings of the Noble Lord in going
out in the company of his lion. Friend, he could well con-
ceive the feelings of his Hon. Friend in finding himself
alone in such company.—(Cheers and laughter.) Haring
spoken three times on this question, and having explained the
principles on which he meant to act—first of all, that there
should be a graduated duty ; and then, as to the scale which
the present Government 1 roposed, he thought it was unne-
cessary for him, at twelve o'clock at night, to go again into
a general discussion of the question. The Honourable
Member for Finsbury had cone him no more than just,ce,
in supposing that the course which he had proposed was that
which he considered the fairest to all parties, and the most
useful to the-ccuntry.—( Hear, hear.) But if there were suf-
ficient strength to carry the proposition of his Hon. Friend,
he ( Sir Robert Peel) could not be a party to an increase of
duty. He thought it was for the public advantage
that there should be no apprehension respecting the continu-
ance of protection to agriculture.—(Tory cheers.) But at
the same time he thought that protection which he purposed
to afford was amply sufficient. With respect to the manner
of taking the averages, he thought that the mode which he
proposed would diminish the facilities of fraud, but if he found
upon further exam nation that it would have a tendency to en-
crease the amount of protection, he would adopt some means
(as we understoo i) of obviating that tendency.—(Hear, hear.)
He thought that in preparing a measure of this sort, it was ne-
cessary for a Minister to be secret until he had made up his
mind as to the exact course he should pursue —(Laughter.)
There was only one other point on which he wished to trouble
the House. It vial admitted by Honourable Gentlemen en
the opposite side, that the price of corn would be greatly re •
duced by this measure. They bad shown that two million
quarters might be imported at 455., and that a demand of one
million would ensure an equivalent importation at a. low rate.
Honourable Gentlemen had shown that from 1,500 to 2,000,000
could Le imported at the price.—( Hear, hear.)
After a few words from Mr. C. WOOD, in explanation,
Sir R. PEEL said that he had taken dawn the numbers
immediately, ane he certainly thought he hai so stated them.
It really was very uifficult to draw inferences from opinions he
received as to what the (elect of the measure might be, but he
only asked Gentleman on the other side, new that the heat of
the debate wa, over, to apply to the consideration of the details
of the npasute. lie asked Hon. Gentlemen who -were dis-
satisfied to ren ember that in making so great an alteration—
an alteration that greatly affected the agricultural interest—it
was impossible to please all parties. The miller came to him
and complained that the measure he had proposed would cause
a great importation of f.treigit corn, and would be an increased
inducement to parties to introduce flour instead of wheat. The
bailey growers said he was about to injure them, and thegrowers
of cats also ea m laire,d; he trusted, however, that they would
bear with hitn a little, anti if they did, he felt no doubt that
he should bo able to vindicate the scale he had
' proposed. He believed the measure he had- proposed
would have the effect of regulating trade, and from the com-
munications he hail received, lie was strongly inclined to think
that ultimately the moderation and good sense of the agricul-
tural interest would prevail, and it would be admitted that his
proposition was a ;peat improvement on the existing law, and
would meet with very general support.—(hear, hear.) He
would conclude by cap-easing again a hope that in discussing
the details of the plan Ee had proposed they would lay aside all
party aQperities.
Sir D. ROCHE made a few ebservatione, which were in-
audible in the Gallery ; after which the Committee divided,
when there appeared—
Fur the original Motion ........ 306
Against it lO4
Majority --202
On oar return to the gallery, we found
Mr. HULLER abo .t to submit his amendment to the
Committee.

Sir R. PEEL said the lion. Gentleman was in a pdsition to
propose a reduction of duty, but no increase of duty then.
Mr. HAWES said he hoped. his Hon. Friend would not
press his motion. It was quite clear that there was a decided
majority ag.inst any a'teration of this scale—( Hear, hear)—
and he therefore thLu..;lit it would be utterly vain to press the
-mot ion.
Mr. BULLER slid if it was the desire of the House,
he would not press his motion. It seemed to be the wish of
the other side of the House.—(No, no.) He would there-
fore postpone 11;s ino:ion, and bring it forward at some future day.
After a slight conversation between Sir R. PEEL snd Mr.
BULLER( the motion was postponed.
The House then resumed.
The CHAIRMAN reported progress, and obtained leave to
sit again.
The other orders being then disposed of, the House ad-
journed at One o'Clock, till Monda.

COVENT GARDEN THE A.TRE.
A new comedy in five acts, under the title of Bubbles of
the Day, was brought out last night at this theatre. It is
from the practised pen of Mr. Douglas Jerrold, and hears
tokens of its paternity in every scene. The plot, as is generally
the case with this gentleman's dramas, is exceedingly oomph.
cased, and it is difficult to follow its numeroas turns and wind-
ings ; so far. however, as we could ascertain. it is something to
the billowing Get. Mr. Spreashaeas ( Bart!ey), a rich ohl
lamas, who has risen from small beginnings to a station of
considerable respectability, pays a visit to the chamber of a
briefless young barrister, by name Melon ( Walter Lacy), who
has been betrothed from early childhood to Isis daughter, Pamela (Mrs. Ni-bett). hae waiting at his intended son..
in-law's chambets, SI readweasel unexpectedly falls. in uith
Lard Skindeep, M. P, ( Air. Farren), who after having some coo-
versation with him, and heating front another party that the dld
fellow is rich, invites him to his house to darer—an invitation
which Spreadweasel cordially accepts, having a high idea of
the honour of an acquaintance with a Lord. A sense of mutual
interest inerea,e4 the iiizitnaey ketwten the parties, and ulti-
mately Lord Skuideep is induced to, offer, hims.lf as a son-in-
law to the old mass. This offeris g4tily accvphad.;.-but. as his
Lordship, knowing Spria.dweasel'a, inatter-of-fatt rittiOns- of business, is af'aid of being asked awkward questious touchirg
his fortune, jointure, and s r forth, he endeavours to prevail on
Pamela -to elope with him in a carriage and four. . The
shrewd girl consents a, parently to this proposal, though she
has no intention of carrying out the project, being attached, to
a young M.P., Chatham Brown (J. Visaing). The schemes
is theiefore artfullj, though as if accidentally, frustrated,
and while his Lo.dship is lamenting his disappoiritment, he
1 arns that Pamela has united herself to the M.P. ; and that
Melon has taken, fur better for worse, Florentia (Mrs. Walter
Lacy) the neice of a conceited authoress, Mrs. Quarto W. West), who is distantly related to Lord Skindeep. 'Jo its-
crease the vexation bids of his Lordship and Spreadweasel
at this sudden frustration of their schemes, the for-
mer disco VC: s a long-neglected son in the person
of a clever, scheming, London adventurer, tilaptain
Smoke (C. Matthews), whom he is compelled publicly to se,-
knowledge as his natural cl.ild ; and Spreadweasel at the same
time makes the discovery that the girl whom Lord Skindeep
had seduced and deserted years before, is no other than his own
sister, wh• had died under the roof of a heartless miser, Mahn--
sey Shark (Meadows), by whose means these strange dityso-
vales are brought to tight. Ultimately, all parties are neon.
eiled, and at the fall of the curtain they are—to use a liacknied
expression--" as well as can be expected." Such is a
sight hasty sketch of a plot, which it certainly by
no means remarkable either for simplicity, or clearness
of construction, or skill of development, By way of episode,
we have certain love-passages between Sir Phoenix Clcareake
(Harley), Alderman of the City of London, and Florentia, tea whom he was betrothed, but who resolves to have nothing to
do with hint, her resolution being quickened, not only by her
attachment to Melon, but also by her having found out that,
under the alias of Major Loo, the Alderman had endeavoured
to corrupt the virtue of her own lad 's
-maid (Mrs. Orger)
when she was residing at a finishing ac dotty •at Brixton. The characters of the comedy are cleverly and broadly defined—especially those of Skindeep, Spread;
weasel, and Malmsey Shark. The first is a mock-philanthre-.
pist, one who is always canting about his benevolence and his
" love of his species,'' while at heart he is the most selfish and
egotistical of beings. In working out this portrait, Mr. Jer-
rold made several bitter,sareastic hits at thatspurious humanity
and maudlin tenderness, which are so often mistaken for real
philanthropy. Spreadweasel is a shrewd, ordinary man
of business ; and here, too, the author was very effective
in his delineation. But Malmsey Shark, the usurer, he
has pourtrayed to the life. A truer, more spirited,
or more caustic sketch than this, exists not m the modern drama. Not a feature in the portrait but seemed as
though it were copied direct from sonic living original. As
regards the females, Pamela is a clever, lively girl, with a dash
of the hoyden about her, Mrs. Quarto a tiresome she-pedant,
and Florentia a mere boarding-school Miss. The wit of the
play is excellent. Indeed the comedy is studded with it, like
Harlequin's dress with spangles. There is not, to be sure, the
light, buoyant anima! spirits that dance through London Aux,.
once : but there is far more trength and nerve in the dialogue._.
more meaning and caustic practical shrewdness and point, in the
constant play of the satire. Indeed we know of no living dra-
matist who throws so much significance—we might almost say,,
wisdom into his wit and sarcasm as Mr. Jerrold. Some of bee
jokes remind us of the cynical, sententious aphorisma of Rona.
foucault. 't hey will bear consideration, and not only tickle
the midriff, but make an irresistible appeal to the .unsterstand.
ing. The acting was admirable, with scarcely excep-
tion, unless it be that Mrs. West as Mrs. Quarto was rather
tco boisterous in her vivacity, and scattered about her pearls
with too much em, hasis of manner. Mrs. Nisbet kept the
house in a state of uproarious laugbtur while she was describ-
ing the humours Of an electiOr for the town of Longborough;
and Mathews evinced Ir.6re ease, and tact, and self-posses:don
than he has yct }?;own. Farren played wi h his usual skill and.
care, and enunciated his Joseph Surface•like sentiments with
exceeding unction. Harley made the most of an indifferent part, and Bartley made an unimpeachable man of business, ex-
hibitlngjust as touch heart as usually falls to the'lot of your dry,
hard, grasping old codgers, who feel persuaded that they
are sent into the world for no higher or worthier ob-
ject than to scrape together no matter by what
means—as much money as they possibly can. The scenery was.
in excellent taste; and the play was announced for repetition,
amid deafening aeclatuatiens from all parts of the house. It cer-
tainly requires curtailment ; and when this is judiciously ef-
fected, we have no doubt that it will have a run. At the cksse
of the comedy, Mr. Jerrold was loudly called for, and made
his appearance on the stage, in an evident flutter of excitement.
The audience welcomed him with shouts of applause—a tribute
of respect, which is no more than his due, for his Comedy is a
production which the ablest dramatist of the age might be
Proud to acknowlecge.