The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-21 00:00:00

THE CORN LAWS.

(TilOit A COItItInTO74IMIT.)
• In reading ancient history, we find time divided into reigns
of different kings, and a change of dynasty the most im-
portant' of events. But in modern times, when the power of
the people has counterbalance& that of the monarch, a new
reign is of lees consequence than a popular movement—a new
dynasty than a change of public opinion. We have different
sovereigns, but the same form of government ; it is the Con-
stitution we obey, not the King. The influence of the people
is nowhere so great as in England. Parliaments make laws,
but they are weighed in the balance of public opinion. How
necessary is it, then, for those who rule to watch the indica-
tions of this mighty spirit, to feel the pulse of those whom
they are called upon to govern.
" corninx eyents cast their shadows before."
A skilful statesman will mark the rising necessities, and
make a virtue of necessity, by yielding before he is com-
pelled. Above all, he will anxiously watch the time
when old laws become useless, old restrictions irksome; he
will give up in time, and yield to the spirit of the age.
All human affairs must have an end, the most perfect system
must decay and die. It is with these, as with the years of
man, be gradually reaches maturity, and then hastens to his
downfal. If we look back to our past history, if we look
around to foreign nations, we shall find that all rules, and
forms, and systems, flourish for a time, and then inevitably
give way. Laws are made for the present moment : they may
be in accordance with our immediate necessities, but they
will be found as arbitrary and impossible for posterity as the
garments of the child are useless for the man. In sur-
veying the past, we shall find that the great revolutions and
important events were chiefly occasioned by this tendency,—
to change the ruinous effects of an old system, for the more
expanded policy of the new. It is the duty of a government
to watch the signs of the times with an anxious eye, eager to
anticipate and, perchance, avert the coming danger; and how
must this be done? This is no idle question at the present
moment; all things warn us that a crisis is at hand—this
is the " Beginning of the end." _ _ _

Ere long there will be a change, but whether for good or
evil the future must determine. The outward surface is
calm even yet, but the storm approaches. The whisper of
the multitude is as the rising breeze, and the eyes of all are
turned towards those in power, even as in the time of danger
the voyagers regard the pilot at the helm. They can per-
ceive the coming tempest, but it is not for them to act. They
turn for help to those whose duty it is to guide them ; and
what must be their feelings in that anxious moment, to find
the steersmen absent from their post, and neglecting the
vessel, to di,pute with one another? One advising this
thing, another counselling that—all is confusion, and nothing
ix done.

The storm approaches en the wings of the wind—won all
chance of safety will be lost. What can these voyagers do?
Picture the anxiety of their countenances as they watch the
deliberations ; what agony, what distrust, what fears mingled
with hope—
" Hope deferred, that maketh the heart sick."

At last one bolder than the rest approaches the leader, re-
lates their apprehensions, and implores aid. He is calmly
informed that his remonstrance has been heard—but he is
offered no consolation, no promises. Every instant increases
the danger, every instant retards the decision—must the ship
go down? How long will the spectators wait? Are there
nolbounds to endurance? If we were to read of such an
adventure, would we, could we believe it ? Could we credit
such indecision, such madness ? No, we should regard the
whole as a fable. Yet, ifwe look around, can we find no parallel
for such a case ? To what can we compare the conduct of
our pilots at this moment ? Are we free from danger ?
Are there no clouds in the horizon ? Is our path all sun-
shine ? Alas, we are even now menaced with the worst of
evils—scarcity of prevision. Our daily food is failing, and
famine is at hand—famine, the greatest curse that can
betel a nation, worse even than death, for it destroys not
only life, but withers all feelings and affections. And by
whom must this be felt ? Will the rich suffer ? No,
when famine touches them they will no longer be the rich
—then there will be no poor. No, they may still enjoy
their feasts and gaieties, may still rejoice in a battle, or
smile at a Court-ball—they will be safe. And the middle
classes—they may, perhaps, pay dearer for their bread, but
they will still have bread. Then who will suffer ? The
select few may escape, but the great body of the people must
support the burden. Upon the weakest and most helpless
will the weight press the hardest. How many thousands
are there now who can scarcely contrive to exist ! They
live on the border of starvation—they subsist on the veriest
trifle—and that trifle will be taken away from them—
that trifle which would be insufficient to support
the hounds or horses of the great, but which is
their all, which alone sustains the feeble spark
of life, that must be taken from them.- Thousands
must die, and thousands more be brought to the verge of
starvation. And why? Why must the people starve in this
age of enlightenment—this time of peace—this reign of spe-
culation and activity ? Never did nation arrive at such a
height as England now—never did people suffer more cruelly
than hers. Once again, Why is this? Those who reflect on
the state of the nation will say a crisis is at hand—the Go-
vernment is no longer adequate to the necessities of the
country. At the present day we have a Ministry of expe-
dients ; they seem plausible enough ; they are ever ready
with schemes and manoeuvres; they pass muster at a re-
view. But it is in the day of battle that their weakness is
apparent. Having no principles, they can have no plans to
follow ; they boast in the sunshine, but when the storm
comes they are undecided and inefficient. They are the
wavering pilots in the storm. Already it is almost too late;
let them not hesitate an instant longer. Surely Sir R. PEEL
is politician enough to understand his position. He must
know that this is the time to cast party prejudices and
ruinous restrictions to the winds, and to follow out
vigorous, straightforward, and liberal feeling. Will he not
seize the golden opportunity, prove himself worthy of the
confidence of the country, and come forward as the modern
Hercules, undaunted by difficulty, to write ne plus ultra on
the crumbling pillars of restriction and oppression? Will he
do this? or will he listen to the fears of his colleagues?
Why do they hesitate—are they still influenced by worn-out
prejudices—do they fear the charge of inconsistency—will
they not relinquish their beloved schemes? They grasp a
shadow, they will find the reality is gone. They think of
their own interest, forgetting that the welfare of the people
is the interest of a government—the care of the State is the
duty of the Ministry : when it neglects that, it is unworthy
to exist. What is it to us if the Council do not agree?—
what, if a right honourable baronet cannot reconcile his
wishes, with the views of a noble lord or a right honourable
gentleman, we look to the suffering people, whose lives are
in the balance, and we say, if the Ministry cannot agree,,
they must resign. Surely, Sir ROBERT PEEL, who has
proved himself such a competent manager of the House, will
be able to manage the Cabinet—if not, he must give up his
colleagues, and do his duty to his country. He must be
Minister of England, not the chief of a faction; as such let
him not fear to act. The Cabinet is against him—the people
are with him. Let him issue the order to throw open the
ports and admit food to starving millions, and whether Whig
or Tory hereafter rule the kingdom, he will be recognised as
the Minister who relinquished his party to suit the exigencies
of the times, and gave up his colleagues to secure the safety of
the nation.

MARYLEBONE SAVINGS' BANK,
76, WELBECK- STREET.—Established July 5, 1830.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF PROGRESS, ♦T SPECIFIED
PERIODS, DURING THE LAST SEVEN TEARS.
SOW invested with
Open Deposit National Debt
Accounts. Commissioners.
On Nov. 20, 1839 .. X 11,935 • £223,353
1840.
1841........ 13,004 266,407
1842 13,349 285,382
1843 14,130 319,496
1844 15,124 350,089
1845 16,201 356,954

TAGLIONL—Taglioni left Paris on Satarday for
Italy. She will stop a few days on her estate at the Lake
of Como, and then proceed to Rome, where she is engaged
for 12 nights, at 2,000 f. per night.

- We are gratified at being able to call attention to
the fact that, notwithstanding the recent reduction of fares
on the London and Brighton Railway, the receipts of last
week exceeded by nearly 1,100/. the receipts of the corre
spending week last year. This circumstance must be ex-
tremely gratifying alike to the shareholders and to the public
generally.—Brighten Gazette.
A MAN SCALDED TO DEATH BY COFFEL—On
Saturday an inquest was held in Liverpool, on the body of
Robert Fitten, who met his death under the following singu-
lar circumstances :—Margaret Wilson, deposed, that she was
a single woman, and lodged in the cellar of Mary Howard,
alias Phythian, Eldon-street. The deceased, who was thirty-
three years of age, lodged in the same cellar. About eight
o'clock on Saturday night week, the Bth instant, witness
went home and found the deceased sitting by the fire in
a very intoxicated state. The landlady, Phythian, went
out for some bread, and while she was away the deceased
and witness had a few words after he had got into bed.
On the return of Phythian she asked what was the
matter, and witness told her that he was grumbling because
she had, refused to ge to bed. Phythian then said, " Never
mind the
this he sat up in the bed, asked what the dispute was to
Phythian, and called her a" old faggot." Some
other angry words passed between them, and at length
Phythian took up the poker and said she would strike him if
he called her a "faggot" again. She put the poker down,
and then he said to her, "1% hat else are you? are you any-
thing better than a faggot ?" She said, if he repeated the
words, she would scald him, and immediately after she took
up a tin pan, containing hot coffee, which lay upon the hob,
and threw it at him. The coffee went all over his head,
face and neck. He called out to witness, and said, " Mar-
garet, I sin murdered." Witness went to him at once,
wiped the scalded parts, and sent to a druggist for some•
thing to dress him. The following morning he was sent to
the Northern llospital, where he remained up to the period
of his death, which occurred on Thursday last. Phythian,
who was quite sober at the time, went out after throwing
the pan at him, and acknowledged to two of the neighbours
that she had given him " a faggot's mark by throwing hot
coffee over him." Witness had not heard any words between
the parties before that time, The bed, she said, was about
three yards from the fireplace, and the pan, which was with-
out ary lid, was quite full of coffee. The jury having re•
turned a verdict of " Manslaughter," Phythian was com-
mitted to Kirkdale gaol to take her trial on the charge at
the approaching winter assizes. Prior to leaving the Court
she burst into tears, and expressed a hope that the Coroner
would allow her to see the body of the deceased. The Coroner
said it was a singular application, and that he should not
make any order on the subject ; but he should not prevent her
from being shown the body by the officer who had her in
charge.. The officer accordingly took her to the Northern
novae' to view the bociai, and afterwards conducted her to