The Sun.
London, England, 1842-02-05 00:00:00

CORN LAWS.

EDINBURGH, FEB. 2.--At the meeting of the Town Coun-
cil held yesterday, Mr. BCACK moved " That a petition be
presented by the Town Council to both Houses of Parliament,
praying for a total and immediate repeal of the Corn and Pro-
vision-laws, and for the repeal of all protective duties imposed
on commodities for the purpose of raising their price above
their natural level."

Mr. 11 EtviLLE said he was not prepared to go the whole
length of Mr. Black's motion, and therefore begged to pro-
pose the following amendment :—" That the Council, taking
into consideration the great evils attending the present Corn-
laws, and their severe pressure on all classes, particularly those
least able to bear it, the poor and labouring portion of the
community ; resolve to petition Parliament for an immediate
modification of these laws by the imposition of a moderate fixed
duty in the meantime, preparatory to a total and gradual abo-
lition of all duties on the necessaries of life."

On a division the amendment was carried by a majority of
only one, the numbers for the original motion being 12, and
for the amendment 13.

THE WEATHER.-The thermometer at the
Zoological Gardens, in the Regent's Park, which on Tuesday
morning at two o'clock was 27 deg. F., was at the same hour
yesterday morning 41 deg., being the minimum point of the
24 hours. Nearly every vestige of ice has disappeared in the
neighbourhood of the metropolis.
MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE.--On:Tuesday
as a private of the 12th Lancers, who had been in custody at
the station-house of the C division of police for intoxication,
was being led home by a sergeant and three of his comrades to
the barracks, the unfortunate man, when close to the Metal
Bridge, made a race from his companions, and either flung
himself or was precipitated over the Liffey wall. The police-
man on duty ran for ropes and a boat, and every effort was
made to save the wretched sufferer, but in vain. The body
has not yet been found.—Dublin Mail.
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.—On Wednesday night,
between twelve and one o'clock, a report of a pistol was heard
in Samuel-street, Woolwich, by Tyndal, 41 tt, who imme-
diately repaired to the spot, when lie discovered that. Pay-
master-Sergeant Hale, of the Royal Marines, had shot himself in
the mouth with a pistol. On throwing the light of I,is lamp on
the unfortunate man's face, he observed a torrent of blood
running from his mouth, the flesh of which was frightfully
torn. With assistance, he removed him into the house No.
5, and sent for the hospital surgeon, who attended, and de-
clared that the wound was of so serious a nature, that he
was not tit to be removed at that time. About five o'clock he
was taken on a stretcher to the General Hospital, when it
was discovered that nearly the whole of his teeth and the roof
of his mouth had been driven in by the bullet with which the
pistol was charged. Medical as well as surgical aid being ren-
dered, he vomited the bullet, and it is supposed that the teeth
and flesh torn trom the jaw were driven doww his throat, as
nothing but the bullet has been discovered. The unhappy man
has not been able to utter a word since the commission of the
deed. His wife informed the doctor that he had been drunk
during -the evening, and it was also stated that he had
threatened to destroy himself while in a state of intoxication. It
is singular, that he took the pistol from a marine who had
shortly before threatened to commit self-destruction. The poor
fellow lies without hopes of recovery.
An extraordinary instance a the uncertain effects
of lightning occurred a few days since, at Meuvaines, in Nor-
Bundy, when the electric fluid struck a small cottage, and
shivered to pieces most of the furniture ; but though all the
living things in it received a most violent shock, no man, or
animal experienced the slightest injury. The cottage was
roofed with thatch, and this was not set on fire.