The Sun.
London, England, 1842-11-14 00:00:00

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SUN OFFICE Three &Cluck.

The Cheltenham Free Press publishes an ac-
count of one JosEPn HAvEs having been sen-
tenced to two" months' imprisonment in the
Northleach House of Correction, for beating his
wife. In that period, we presume from the con-
dition of the prison, the insufficient diet, and the
hard labour, the prisoner became very much
diseased, and applications were made to the Ma-
gistrates, it is not stated with what effect, to re-
mit the remainder of his sentence. The case is
noticed lucre, as a specimen of the offences for
which Magistrates are in the habit of summarily
convicting men—and we shall presently see how
numerous are such convictions—and exposing
them to all the horrors of imprisonment. We
do not deny that beating a wile, though it be
allowed in the civilised empire of the CZAR, is a
great offence ; but we much doubt whether the
punishment, two months in Northleach, be not
a greater crime towards the prisoner com-
mitted by the Magistrates, than he committed
towards his wife. It would be bad for us all if
criminals forfeited all the rights of man, for few
of us are perfectly free from offences, though we
may not WI under the authority of the Magis-
trates ; and criminals not having forfeited the
rights of man, we say that those rights aregrossly
outraged by the Magistrates in committinga man
for two months to the horrors of Northleach for
beating his wife. His offence is great, but the
punishment is a still greater offence.
In this Northleach House of Correction, the
horrors of w hich have been so recently brought be-
fore the public, we find from the Seventh Report
of the Inspector of Prisons, Southern and Western
District, that out of 51 prisoners confined at the
date of the Inspector's visit, July 22, 1841, forty
were cases of summary conviction. In the
whole year, endinz Michaelmas, 1841, the num-
ber of summary convictions to this one House of
Correction was no less than 364, or 30 per
month. Surely they are not the friends—cer-
tainly they are not the protectors of the lower
classes, who consign them so mercilessly, and in
such numbers, to hard labour and to pine in damp
cells in unwholesome prisons.
We are not much astonished at the number of
summary convictions with 'which this Report
makes us acquainted, but it is worthy of being
noticed. In the Somerset House of Correction
at Taunton, out of 760 prisoners in 1840, the
number confined under summary convictions
was no less than 366; and out qf 598 in 1841, no
less than 279. By another table in the same
Report we find that of the summary convictions
in 1841, 19 were for offences under the Game-
laws, 104 for offences against the Vagrant Act,
49 for offences against the Malicious Trespass
Act, 61 under the Larceny Act, and 32 for
assaults. All these offences, except the last, are
offences against property, and particularly that
species of property of which the Magistrates are
the possessors, and which the poor want. They
are in fact, therefore, judges in their own cause,
for their cause is the cause of the rich against the
poor—their cause is the cause of the owners
of property against those who have none—their
cause is the cause of game against poachers, of
property against trespassers—and it is on the face
of it a piece of scandalous injustice, that throne
class of propertied men should be intrusted with
the power of summary conviction to such an
enormous extent.

{ Again, in Shepton Mallet prison no less than
567 persons were confined in the course. of the
year under summary convictions. They were
employed either at the treadmill, at. breaking
stones, or at pumping water, and were subjected
during their confinement to all the rigour of the
prison. Of them 37 were confined for offences
under the Game-laws, and 206 for offences under
the Vagrant Act. In Usk House of Correction,
Monmouthshire, thenumberofpersonssummarily
sent to prison in the course of the year was 240;
in Cardiff (Glamorgan) 118 ; in Cardigan House
of Correction 28; in Northampton Comity Gaol
455, of whom the offenders against the Game-
laws were 74; in Devizes (Wiltshire) 632, of
whom the offenders against the Game-laws were
71; in the Oxford County Gaol 464; making in
nine prisons 3,147 persons shut up in one year by
the summary convictions of the Magistrates.
Such a power is too great for any men to possess,
and fits too great for the landowners of England,
who are avowedly, by their own acts, at issue
with the people.

We regret to know that the power of sum-
marily committing to prison has been extended, as
the same committing Magistrates have rendered
the rigour of prisons far greater than the law-
makers of a former period contemplated. Under
the pretext of shortening the term of imprison-
ment to which teen were liable, wheni waiting
fir the sessions or the assize, and under the pre-
text of checking juvenile delinquency, the Ma-
;•istrates have gone on, year after year, persuad-
ing the Parliament to place more and more of-
fences under their power of summary conviction.
Punishments have, we believe, increased amaz-
ingly in consequence, and crimes have increased
in about the same proportion. The manner in
which summary punishments have increased,
while crimes have increased, and prison disci-
pline has become more rigorous, till it is in some
cases horrible, deserves the serious consideration
of the Legislature.

The Devonport Independent of Saturday says
—with reference to the recent election of Mayor
of that borough—" As was anticipated, the Tories
have paced their own man in the civic chair.
The results of the municipal elections dispelled
all doubts on that head. Wednesday last, an
important era to the Conservatives of this bo-
rough, beheld them in the ascendant. The new
Mayor, after expressing conciliatory intentions
towards his opponents, almost in the samebreath
showered on them vituperations of no very digni-
fied kind," The "results of the municipal
elections" alluded to in the above passage, have
been, we regret to state, most disheartening to the
Liberal cause in Devonport. Of twelve returned,
not less than eleven were Tories! This new-
born penchant for Toryism reflects great dis-
credit on the inhabitants of the borough. Many
of them who have hitherto called themselves
Liberals, must necessarily have falsified all their

past professions, and ratted to the enemy, or
such a triumph could never have been achieved.
As for supposing that these people were induced
to change their opinions out of a strong and
sudden moral conviction of the surpassing excel-
lence of the present Administration, such an
hypothesis is not to be entertained for an

instant. What decided, salutary measures has
Sir R. PEEL brought forward, that were likely
to flash conviction on the mind of an ardent Re-
? His Tariff is certainly a move in the
right direction, bat it is a move so timid, halting,
and partial, that no really sincere Liberal can
possibly lay his hand on his heart, ;aid say that
lie is satisfied with it. But, perhaps, it is that
delectable impost, the Income-tax, that has
wrought such a magic change in the political
sentiments or the good folks of Devonport. This
can scarcely be the case, for the impost in ques-

on will put all those who may happen to be in
•ade there, to a world of annoyance, and

likely enough, conduce to the ruin of not
a few of them. The plain truth is, that the
triumph of Toryism in Devonport is not the
triumph of enlightened conviction over pre-
judice, but of self-interea over principle. The
present Government is supposed to be a strong

The Royal Tar steam-packet arrived at Fal-
mouth from Gibraltar on Saturday, bringing in-
telligence from the latter place to the 3d instant,
from Cadiz to tie 4th, and Lisbon to the 9th.
Sir ROBERT 'WILSON arrived at Gibraltar on the
30th ult., and was sworn into office on the follow-
ing day.

The news from Lisbon is not important. The
decree relative to the Treasury debentures has
at last been published in the official journal. The
debentures are to be for various sums, from 2,500
to 50,000 reis each, and to bear interest at the
rate of about 7 per cent. per annum. The bank
not having chosen to discount them, they are to
be issued in payment to the public employes for
two-thirds of their current salaries and the ar-
rears due on that account, the other third to be
paid in cash.

An anonymous proclamation addressed to the
Portuguese nation had been published in some of
the Lisbon papers, and excited considerable inte-
rest. This document is directed against M.
DIETZ, a highly-respectable German, who ac-
companied the KING as Private Secretary, and
it would appear has excited the jealousy of some
persons about Court. Public opinion points out
COSTA CABRAL as the author of this absurd ad-
dress, which cautions the people against the ma-
chinations of the " infittnous" DIETZ, and adds
that he was endeavouring to persuade the QUEEN
to leave the country, and had so far prevailed
upon her that the best of her jewels and a large
sum of money was embarked on board a vessel to
be shipped to England. The story is totally des-
titute of truth.

The Madrid Gazette of the fith contains some
severe comments on the declaration published
by the twelve journals. It denies that the Go-
vernment has any hostile intentions against the
Press, and it relies on public opinion to defend
the laws and defeat the machinations of a con-
spiracy, having for its object the renewal of the
civil war and the establishment of anarchy.
Rumours of a change of Ministry were current
in Madrid. It is said, however, that the REGENT
will neither modify the ItODIL Cabinet nor dis-
solve the Cortes before the opening of the ses-
sion; but it was believe,{ that the Parliamentary
coalition would have the majority, and thus over-
turn the Administration.

It appears from the Paris papers that the
question relating to the right of search has at
last been settled, and that the treaty of 1841 will
not be ratified by France. What else could M.
GUIZOT do, after a great majority of the Cham-
bers had voted against the treaty, and the
general voice of the country was opposed to it?
The following article on the subject is taken from
the Presse:—
"From information which has reached us, and
which we look on as authentic, the Powers have at
last come to the determination to definitively put an
end to the protocol, which was opened for the ratifi-
cation of the treaty of December 20. We hasten to
give publicity to this intelligence. It is a primary
compliance with the wishes of the Chambers—it is a
triumph—the whole honour of which appertains to
them. But all their wishes are riot vet satisfied. .In
the memorable sitting of January 24, the Chamber of
Deputies, the severe and faithful,guardian of the
honour Of the country, demanded two things from
the Ministry—first, not to ratify the treaty of De-
cember 20, and next to prepare and conclude mea-
sure 3 as speedily as possible fur annulling the previous
treaties. The cancelling of the protocol only fulfils
the first part of this task ; the second remains as it
stood. It cannot be doubted that the Chambers will
persist in their first resolution. If the annulling of
the treaties of 1831 and 1833 appeared to them de-
sirable and possible ten months back, to annul them
will still appear necessary and easy, when England,
by her oxn line of conduct, has changed the face of,
the question."

A meeting of about 80 of the manufacturers
and merchants of Paris was held on Wednesday,
and agreed upon a petition against the Customs'
Union with Belgium, which is to be presented
to the President of Commerce. M. LEROY, one
of the Judges of the Tribunal of Commerce,
took the chair.

A Frankfort journal mentions a report that
accounts have been received from the United
States of the intention of putting an end to the
privileges which the vessels of the Hanse'atie
towns have hitherto enjoyed in the American
ports. The report, however, does not appear to
rest on a good foundation.
The Frankfurter Journal contains a letter
from Breslau, which says We have just re-
ceived from Berlin the important intelligence
that the Committee of the States have been
consulted on the question, whether a Constitu-
tion of the States of the kingdom was necessary
for Prussia, and that a negative reply had been
given by 57 votes to 47."—The accounts from
Berlin make no allusion to this circumstance.

BOURSE—PARIS, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11.
First Highest Lowest Last
Price. Price. Price. Price.
Five per Cents. 119 5... 119 5... 118 90... 118 95
41,4 per Cents. 105 95... 103 95... 105 95... 105 95
Four per Cents. 101 50... 101 50 .. 101 50... 101 50
3 per Cents 80 20... 80 25.'1. 80 '15... 80 20
Bank of France 3270 —.3270 ...3270 .. 3270

French

Belgian Fives.... lO3l ... 1034 ... 103;
1840 1041 ... 1041 ... 104 ••• 1041
Spanish Active 23 ... 23k ... 23
New Deferred 9k ..• ••• 9 •••
Passive ... 3i
Neapolitan
Homan, ex div. lO3l ...
11031 :..103i ... 10311

SPLENDID PRESENT TO TUE PROVOST AND TOWN
COUNCIL OF EDINDURGIL—Last week a packet, con-
taining several of the most beautiful specimens of
needlework in the shape of night-caps that were ever
:Ten, were forwarded, per post, to the above distin-
guished
personages by a number of young ladies re-
sident in London, as a small tribute of their admira-
ration of the conduct displayed on her Majesty's visit
to " Modern Athens."

SOUTHAMPTON DOCKS.—There is now some pro-
spect of a speedy completion of these docks, Govern-
ment having advanced the Company 25,0001., and
further assisted them with a large quantity of mate-
rials. It is anticipated that, by the first week in
January, the tidal dock will be opened, and the whole
length of sheds for landing and shipping goods be
willerected.

one, and there are always to be found in every
borough lots of people who are Ministerial or
otherwise, just according to their chances of
picking up some little bit of local, or other pre-
ferment. The very men who have just now
turned Tories in Devonport, because Toryism is
snugly quartered in Downing-street, would turn
Whigs to-morrow, were the Whig star once
again to be seen flaming in the ascendant.

In an article on the subject of the new Law
Appointments in Bankruptcy, the Times of
Friday observes :—" There is one person, cer-
tainly, whom the profession in general regret
not to have seen included in the list of promo-
tions—we mean, Mr. DEACON, whose claims rest
on the authorship of a work on the Bankrupt
Law, beyond all comparison the best in exist-
ence, and referred to on all occasions by the
Bench and the Bar. We trust he has been only
postponed, not overlooked." We cordially echo
these opinions of our Contemporary, for we
have long beard Mr. DEACON spoken of as a
sound, ready lawyer ; of much quiet, steady
chamber practice; and of long experience in his
profession ; and we are willing to believe, with
the Times, that his claims to legal preferment
have been " only postponed, not overlooked."
Opposed though we arc in politics to Mr.
DEACON, we have considered it an act of justice
to say thus much in his behalf; and we may add,
too, that we have every reason to believe that his
promotion would be generally popular with the
Profession, to many of the most eminent mem-
bers of which he has been for years penonally
known, and respected by them not less fur his legal
talents than his unassuming private worth.

We have received Brussels papers of Satur-
day. On the previous day the KING held a
Council of Ministry, and afterwards received a
deputation of the Senate, with the Address in
answer to the Royal speech. The budget for the
year had just been issued, from which it appears
that the receipts for the last year were
112,816,742 francs (4,400,0001.), and the expen-
diture 110,486,091 francs. In the department of
Foreign Affairs there had 'been a diminution of
5,000 francs, as compared with the expenditure
of the previous year. The public debt is in-
creased by 3,494,212 francs, and there is also some
increase in the estimates for the army, and the
department of Justice, but to a small amount.