The Sun.
London, England, 1842-05-26 00:00:00

ti tyg -ZI a tat

LONDON
THURSDAY MORNING, MAY 26, 1842.

framed he will appear to have advocated, in 1842, the
imposition of a duty of five per cent. on apples, not for
the sake of revenue, but to give protection to fruit
growers. Hereafter his motion, though proposed with
the best intentions, may be quoted against him as pro-
posing and defending a partial monopoly.
From his failure, and from believing that in all other
similar cases when the reduction of a duty is proposed
by the Liberals they will be sure to be defeated, we draw
the conclusion that they should stick to their principles,
and never advocate or propose a smaller protecting duty
than the one proposed in the tariff. They ought to re-
sent the imposition of all protective duties, and, whenever
they make any motion concerning them, they ought to
propose their total abolition. They are sure, at present,
we are aware, to be defeated, but by opposing all pro-
tecting duties, they preserve, by proposing to modify
them they forfeit, their character for consistency.
It is, we know, said that such a stubborn adherence to
principle makes a man impracticable. But this is not
a case of compromise with a view to bringing about
the combined action of many individuals. There is
no hope of effecting any immediate change in the
tariff by such propositions, and to leave the lofty ground
of principle, is to sacrifice it without gaining any advan-
tage. The interest of the community will be better
served by having correct principles and important
truths enunciated in Parliament, than by making a
bundle of new and imperfect laws, which, after they
have inflicted all the mischief the people will bear, must
be superseded by other laws. When men are required
to act together, they must, perhaps, compromise their
opinions ; but when they are discussing a subject, it is
essential, even to promote their agreement, that each
individual fearlessly and honestly express his own opi-
nions. Above all, when one man or one party is attacking
the opinions of another, it is necessary that he take
truth and principle to his aid, as the only arms by which
he can conquer. We must insist, therefore, that it is the
duty of Members of the Opposition, in submitting mo-
tions which they know will not be carried, not to consult
the probable or conjectured opinion of others, but fear-
lessly to state their own, and to make no propositions
which are not in strict accordance with their convictions
and their principles.
F Mr. VILLIEES acted in this way when he proposed to
admit cattle at a nominal duty. He carried out, consist-
' ently and honourably, the doctrines of free trade, and
though he lost Lord J. RUSSELL'S vote, and the votesof
some of the Cavendishes, he had a respectable minority.
We should not have been worse pleased had he even cast

aside the nominal duty of ls., which was only proposed for
the sake of the statisticians of the Board of Trade, echo
delight in telling off the human race. The use of such
duties is only to enable them to number and record the
possessions of individuals, and put the country to an

enormous expense by printing a prodigious mass of use-
less information. Their views, however, are, we know,
not now to be slighted, and Mr. VILLIERS acted strictly
according to his own principles, when he proposed the
nominal duty.
We hold up his conduct for the imitation of other
Members. They can have no hope of modifying the
tariff, and unless, therefore, a principle be at stake, they
ought not to meddle with it. Protecting or discriminat-
ing
duties they ought seldom to touch, unless it be
to abolish them. Duties for revenue they may acquiesce
in ; duties for protection are an abomination in the eyes
of a free trader; and his business is to get rid of them, not
to modify and continue them.
Mr. M. PHILIPS, Lord Howicx, and Sir J. GUEST,
were last night obnoxious to the censure we have cast
on Mr. WARLEY. They each of them proposed a re-
duction on the duties on butter and cheese, intended for
protection, and will hereafter have the credit of having
wished to tax the butter of the people 10s. per cwt., and
their cheese 7s. 6d. and ss. These are duties which, for
the sake of the people, whose principal food, after bread
and potatoes, is cheese and butter, ought to be abolished.
That Sir R. PEEL will not make these small reductions
is another proof that he cares very little for the working
people.

We drew attention the day before yesterday to the
tender care which the Tories exhibited for the consu-
mers in Newfoundland, and to their equal disregard of
the interests of the consumers in England. Last night
brought a parallel case to that of Newfoundland before
the House of Commons, and exhibited another specimen
of their shameless inconsistency. As long as this coun-
try must import food at all, such as bacon, butter, hams,
the price given or obtained fur the last portion of the ne-
cessary supply will regulate the price of all the bacon,
butter, and hams in the market. If we require, for ex-
ample, butter from Holland, and hams from America,
the price of American hams, and of Dutch butter, plus
the duty levied oa them, will determine the price of hams
and butter. Accordingly, if American hams can he im-
ported from Canada, on payment of half the duty imposed
on those hams when imported direct, and we require, and
can pay for hams directly imported, half of that duty will
go into the pockets of the AMericans.
Last. night Mr. MILES showed that the freight, of
salted meat from New Orleans would be Is. 6d. and the
duty Bs. per cwt., together, 9s. 6d. Imported through
Canada, the freight would be 4s. ld. and the duty 2s. Gd.,
making 6s. 7d. per ewt. Similar facts apply to bacon and
ham, giving a difference of Bs. per cwt. in favour of the
Canadians. We are not advocating the imposition of a
duty on salt meat, on bacon and hams, imported into Ca-
nada, from the United States ; but we cannot see in what
this 7 case differs from that of American flour, on which
the Ministers have placed a duty, because they
would not allow the Canadians to gain 2s. per
barrel by the duty when they carried American flour
to the inhabitants of Newfoundland. The two cases are
identical, and they show that the Ministers will not
tolerate the Canadians in obtaining 2s. at the expellee of
the consumers of Newfoundland, and they will tolerate
them getting Bs. at the expense of the consumers in
England. As we have already remarked, the Ministers
think the people of England fair game to be plucked as
long as they will submit to it.
Lord Howler: properly stated, that if Ministers acted
on their own principle, they ought to impose a duty on
all bacon introduced into Canada from the United States.
The Noble Lord suggested a lower rate of duty for all
bacon and for all meat, but declined to press his sug-
gestion, though he was aware of the inconsistency of the
Ministers. In one month they propose to tax American
flour when it passes into. Canada, in order to prevent the
Canadians from sharing the duty on flour levied in
Newfoundland; and in the next month they pass a law to
enable these said Canadians to share largely in the duty
these very Ministers exact from the piople of England,
on bacon, hams, and salt meat.

A return has been laid on the table of the House of
Commons, and printed, of the sums expended in the pur-
chase of fresh meat, &c., for the use of Greenwich Hos-
pital, from 1835 to 1841, and of the contract prices of
salt provisions supplied to the Navy for the same period,
which is well worthy of the public attention. While the
working-classes cannot get bread or potatoes, while they
are living on dead dogs and rotten cows, and while they
are reduced to a state of actual famine, which is not to
be paralleled out of India or China, Sir ROBERT
PEEL and his considerate friends pretend to relieve
them by a measure which is calculated to lower the price
of meat, perhaps a halfpenny in the pound. The grounds
on which Sir ROBERT PEEL proposes to make this poor
reduction, is the gradual, and yet great rise, which has
taken place in the price of meat. The public will ri,col-
! lea how elaborately he proved, on the 10th inst., in
order to soothe his agricultural friends, and demonstrate
the necessity of allowing the introduction of foreign
cattle, that the rise in the price of meat nad been very
extraordinary since the year 1835. Now these returns
; do undoubtedly show a great rise in the price of meat
since that period. We shall content ourselves with
quoting the beginning and the end of the series, observ-
ing that the change between the two was gradual and
successive.

In 1835 the average price of fresh meat purchased for
Greenwich Hospital was 40s. 7id. per cwt. ; and in
1841 it was 565. Oid., showing an increase, speaking
roughly, of 37 per cent. In 1835 the average contract
price of fresh beef for the Navy was 11. 15s. 4d. per cwt.,
and in 1841 it had risen to 2L 9s. 2d., also an increase
of 37 percent. In 1835 the contract price fora tierce of salt
beef, was 5L 16s. 7d., and in 1841 it was 71. ss. 4d., an
increase of 25 per cent. In 1835 the contract price of a
tierce of salt pork was 4/. 14s. Bd., and in 1841 it was
71. 3s. 5d., an increase of 52 per cent. ; a very considerable
rise. which amply justifies the cautious Sir R. PEEL in
relaxing a little the restriction which confines our people
to the area of these islands to obtain their supplies of
meat.

Sir R. PEEL, however, did not, that we recollect, say
anything at the same time about any corresponding rise
in the price of wheat. At least we are quite sure that
he never dwelt on any equally alarming rise in that be-
twen 1835 and 1841, as an all-sufficient reason for largely
extending the area whence the people, who cannot com-
mand meat, who rarely or never see it, may procure a
supply of wheat, flour, and bread. Now these returns
enable us to complete that part of the picture which he
left, we believe designedly, unfinished; and when we ha% e
laid them before our readers, we believe they will con-
clude with us, that if the rise in the price of meat be-
tween 1835 and 1841 required Sir R. PEEL to enlarge the
area of the supply, the rise in the price of flour ought
to have been much more imperative on him to increase
the quantity of bread corn.
In 1835 the average price of wheat flour per sack
as purchased for Greenwich Hospital was 31s. Old., and
in 1841 it was 525. aid., or an increase of 68 per cent.
In 1835 the average price of red wheat per quarter was
2/. Os. 4d., in 1841 it was 3/. 9s. 2d., an increase of more
than 70 per cent. Thus we see that while between 1835
and 1841 meat rose in the proportion of 37, 25, and 52
per cent., wheat and flour rose 68 and 70 per cent. All
the arguments, therefore, which Sir ROBERT PEEL has
urged for admitting cattle at a comparatively low duty,
tell with nearly double force in favour of extending the
area whence our people can obtain wheat and flour.
In one part of the Report of the Commissioners on
Mines, it is stated that the food of the colliers consists
chiefly of bread and butter and bread and cheese. A
large number of those hard-working men cannot com•
wand meat. They, however, are comparatively well
paid, and we therefore conclude that the bulk 6f the
labouring classes of this country now consume very
little or no meat. They are far less interested, there-
fore, in the reduction of the price of meat than in the
reduction of the price of flour ; yet Sir 11. PEEL,
while he pretends to study the interests of the working
classes, takes no notice of the exorbitant rise in the
price of their provisions, and takes no measure what-
ever, except the reduction of the nuty on potatoes, to
reduce the price of their food. Meat is con-
sumed chiefly by the rich ; and, particularly
in the present circumstances of the people, the reduction
caused in its price by Sir R. PEEL'S tariff; whatever it
may be, which will, we believe, be very little, will be all
for the advantage of the rich. At the same time, it is
clear, from the far greater proportionate rise in the price
of flour and wheat, the chief food of the labouring classes,
than in the rise of the price of meat, that a reasonable'
and just statesman would have directed his exertions
rather to lower the price of the former than the latter.
That Sir R. PEEL has taken a different course, while he
has pretended to feel for the poor, is only another proof
to be added to the many painful proofs we have already
at different times adduced, that he is one of the greatest
deceivers that ever stood at the head of a nation's affairs.
rlhe s
e
statements
They
show
thatwarrant,
the
present prices of meat and we think, another obser-
vation.
cattle, on which all the calculations of the Premier, the
graziers, and the public have been made, are parts of a
general rise in the price of agricultural produce. As
cattle are.fed with.that produce, the price must always
be in some degree proportionate to the price of drain.
Whetherany cattle on- none be brought into England from
foreign countries will tiepend, therefore, on our harveSts,
and on the price of wheat in England. We see no reason
when the seasons turn, as perhaps they now will, and
when the population is nearly starved down, as at pre-
szan, to the quantity of food produced in average y&tid
by England, why prices should not, again decline till
they reach the level of 1835. On the contrary, we think

Mr. WA.E.LEY,InotiCoa substitute a duty of five
on apples, fur the proposed duty
per cent., ad valorem,
of 6d. per bushel, was lost on Tuesday night by a con-
siderable majority. The majority Would not have been
much greater had he proposed to abolish the duty alto-
gether ; and he committed a mistake by not making that
proposition. He could not possibly have been in a
worse .position than to lose his motion, and
then be would have appeared to every person
who may hereafter 'consult the records of 'the
house of Commons, us having propounded the
genuine principle of free trade. As his motion was

4,n 1

rHE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY MORNING, MAY 26, 1842.

there are many reasons why such should be the result.
Two successive abundant harvests, with no exten-
sion of trade, of which we see no signs, would
bring it about. Under those circumstances, the price
of cattle: as well as wheat would fall to about the con-
tinental level; and the renowned tariff, for which we are to
submit to an income-tax, will not introduce into the
land a single head of either fat or lean kine. Which-
ever way our attention is directed to the commercial
measures of Ministers, the more firmly are we persuaded
that the whole is a great mass of delusion, and those
who expect public benefit from such a complification of
ignorance, inconsistency, and deceit, will find themselves
egregiously mistaken.

A curious disclosure was made in the House of Lords
on Tuesday night by the Earl of RIPON and the Duke of
WELLINGTON. It appears that they were not consulted
about the emission of the QUEEN'S Letter to the Clergy,
recommending a subscription on behalf of the pour.
When asked about it by Lord KINNAIRD, the Noble
Earl and the Illustrious Duke said that they
were not aware of even the existence of such
a letter. Lord COLBORNE had heard it read in
church, and Lord KINNAIRD undertook the enlighten_
ment of the Noble Members of her MAJESTY'S Govern-
ment, by moving that a copy of it might be laid before
their Lordships, which was ordered.

From this it is clear that the Premier acts in the most
important affairs, without the knowledge of some of his
colleagues, and that he does not always take even the
Illustrious Duke into his confidence. That a measure
:fleeting the interests of the working classes should not
lave been communicated to the Noble President of the
Board of Trade is indeed surprising. But the Premier
tnows that the Tories can do nothing without him, and

ierefore he treats their idols as scurvily as he pleases.

A less important point remains to be noticed. By
their own confession it is notorious that the Earl of
RIPON and the Duke of WELLINGTON have as yet sub-
scribed nothing. The nation expects a noble donation
from persons to whom it has given so much. Well, they
have it in their power to make the donation a memorable
one. Let them keep their gold, but give us a free trade
in corn. That is the only donation worthy of England's
acceptance.

Ronald, Archbishop of Lyons, received as we hear, the Garth,
nald's hat from the hands of his Holiness'.
The !dative of Spain, sobs of Doll Fritictsco, are expected
shortly at Paris.—Le Cnnsiitutionnel.
Iter Royal Highness Madame Adelaide, accompanied by the
Prince de Joinville and the Princess Clementine, arrived at
Randon, on the 20th instant.
A Swedish nobleman of high rank, the Count de Brake,
Marshal of the kingdom, has just received the Grand Cross of
the Legion of Honour.
The Tenore steamer which left Algiers en the 15th with
the mail, and 215 passsengers arrived in the road of Toulon,
on the night of the 18th.
The Moniteur Algerien of the 14th, confirms the last ac-
counts that are publishedrelative to Africa.
The Duke of Orleans has returned from Chantilly to Paris.
Commerce.
BOURSE—PARIS, MONDAY, MAY 23.
First Highest Lowest Last
Price Price. Pricy. Price.
erench 5 ner Cents ll9 40 il9 35 ... 19 40 ... 119 50
414 ; CC/Ita lO7 50 DI 50 ... 107 50 ... 19730
4 per Cents. ... 101 70 ... 101.70 ... 101 70 101 70
3 per Cents Bl 75 .. 81 80 SI 75 ... 81 75
Loan
tank of trance
Laftitte Bank 1.0001. Shares 1040 ...1040 .1040 ...1p4,0
5.0001 Shares 30 5 ...51'65 . 5065 -.5065
tietisian Bank
Belgian 5 per Cents.
her t.:ents., 1840 105% 10.5% 10 % 105%
ip.nish Active
Passi.e 4% ... ... 4% ... 454
New Deferiett 11 I
Portnatiesp 5 per Cents. 31% 21% 3116 ... 3ls
Dutch '2% per Cents.
Neapolitan' lO7 85 lt 7 85 ... 11,7 85 to 85
Ronan
RAILWAY SHAWN.
Versailles, R. P.
L.B 165 165 160 160
Roucn 542 50 542 50 ...5411 540
Orleans
Strasburg to ...... 233 75 ... 233 75 233 75 ... 233 75

Whatever else may be said of Sir ROBERT PEEL, we
have never heard him mistaken for a ninny. He has the
reputation of too much cunning ever to pass for a fool.
And yet the Right Hon. Baronet appears wonderfully
solicitous to figure in that character. Unless this be so,
we cannot comprehend upon what principle he would
have the House of Commons and the public be-
lieve that he has discovered a diplomatic SoLosioN
in Captain ELLIOT, of whose tea-pot exploits
the world has heard so much. The Gallant Captain, it
appears, has had several interviews with the Premier,
and quite satisfied him that the Commissioner Las was
no match for " now I a great Minister"-ELLIOT, as the
modest ex-Plenipotentiary- styled himself in one of his
memorable proclamations which excited such merriment
at the Celestial Court of Pekin. Now if Sir ROBERT
PEEL would keep the Gallant Captain at home,
who cut such a formidable figure as Commissioner
LiN's prisoner, he might present him with the next
vacant Garter, for all the Liberal Press would care about
the matter. But Sir RGBERT'S praises of the Captain's
"ability," "integrity," and other apocryphal qualities,
are thrown out to cover the landing in Texas of this
precious diplomatist. Sir R. PEEL dues not lament the
appointment of the Gallant Captain as Consul, as one of the
embarrassing legacies left him by his predecessors. On
the contrary, he is so charmed with the ex-Plenipoten-
tiary that he adopts him as his own especial pet. Sir
ROBERT does not care three straws for public opinion
out of doors. It gives him no concern to send a
man, whose incompetency has made him a laughing-
stock, from the Yellow Sea to the Gulf of
Mexico, to carry on our relations between this country and
the rising republic of Texas. Where a man of energy,
of promptitude, and of firmness, is most wanted, the
Government is about to send a meddling, wavering,
bombastical chatterer, the very mention of whose name the
Tex ans will resent as an insult. To the interests of this
country the appointment of such a Consul to Texas must
prove exceedingly injurious. This is not the opinion of
one part of the Press, but ofJournals the most opposed to
each other in politics. That no doubt of this may be enter-
tained, we quote the following article upon the subject,
from our venerable Tory Contemporary, the Morning
Herald _ _

THE ALDERMAN AND THE TURBOT.--It always giyes
us pleasure to see legislators employed on themes suited
to their capacity ; thus when certain agricultural mem-
bers undertook the other -day to defend the interests of
their foreign brethren, the colonial asses, we encouraged
them in their dutiful task, well knowing that such a sub-
ject could not possibly be in better hands, and that from
the strong inherent force of sympathy, one ass would be
sure to do justice to another. For similar rea ons, we
feel that we cannot sufficiently applaud Alderman Hum-
phery's strenuous advocacy on Tuesday night of the
interests of turbot and salmon. An Alderman em-
ployed on such a theme, is strictly labouring in
his vocation ; he is doing that for which nature
and education alike eminently quality him ; and his
opinions, therefore, are deserving of the utmost respect and
deference. That Ministers think as we do, is evident
from the almost reverential deference with which Mr.
Gladstone listened to the worthy Alderman's suggestion
respecting the importation of turbot ; he saw that it was
the result of profound wisdom and experience, and con-
ceded the momentous point with the readiest and most
engaging suavity. Henceforth, turbots will run no risk
of being damaged by the transportation from one vessel
to another, and for this inestimable blessing we are in-
debted to their natural protector—a London Alderman !
In taking leave of this important matter, we must not
omit to notice the characteristic burst of gratitude with
which the public-spirited Humphery hailed the reduc-
tion of the duty on salmon! "If ever Sir Robert Peel,"
he observed with unfeigned emotion, " had granted them
a boon, it was upon that article !" The Alderman is
right. Compared with such a boon, the Repeal of the
Test and Corporation Acts sinks into utter insignificance;
and when the Right Hon. Baronet is gathered to the
great and good of past ages, we trust that Alderman
Humphery will erect a monument to his memory, with
this inscription, " Here lies the patriotic and enlightened
statesman who reduced the duty on salmon !"

--- -
Captain Elliot has. then, to go out as Consul-General to
Texas. Sir Robert Peel will quickly find out the mistake he
allows Lord Aberdeen to unwillingly commit. The represen-
tative of Queen Victoria will be received at Austin, Houston,
at Galveston, whichever may be the seat of Government, when
he lands in the new republic, with laughter. 'there is already
a contemptuous curiosity,--oommingled wi►h not a little indig-
nation—in Texas. we learn, to see so rare a diplomatist.
sir Hobert Peel, alleges, in defence of his confirmation of
Lord Palmerston's appointment, that the intercourse he has
had with Captain Elliot leads him to place confidence in his
ability to discharge the duties entrusted to him, and that there
is noling in his official correspondence which shows that eon-
; fidence could not be placed in the recalled Plenipotentiary.
lAll that we can say is, that Captain Elliot must have the
tongue of an angel if he can charm away from Sir Robert
Peel the odium which he has universally inspired,
and that his correspondence must be something very diffe-
rence from his acts if it beget confidence. Captain Elliot
may carry from England the confidence of the Cabinet, but he
does not possess the confidence of tue nation ; and to reward a
public servant for degrading the national reputation is not what
was anticipated from Sir Robert Peel and the Duke of Welling-
ton. We trust, however, that this appointment will yet be
formally brought under the consideration of the House of Com-
mons. Can the appointment of a Consul-General be legal when
it is made to a State as yet unrecognised? The Texan treaties
are still unratified,
The sooner, however, there ism some representative of the
British Crown in Texas the better ; he will find plenty to do
when he is there ; much that requires great ability and no little
tact. President Houston has declared the coast of Mexico to
be in a state of blockade, and has established, to some extent, an
effective blockade ; already have the combined Texan and Yuca-
tan navies, amounting, we believe, to about eight small ships of
war, eaptured one or two Mexican vessels. Will this block-
ade be recognised by England? This is a question of great
importance to British commerce. is it one on which Captain
Elliot's " great abilities" can be of any service? The question,
too, of annexation to the United States is not disposed of.
There is a powerful party at Washington more desirous than
ever that Texas should be admitted into the Union, and divided
into two States—one a slave-holding, theother a free State. The
coarse that England will pursue will probably decide this ques-
tion. Can the course of British po'icy be safely trusted to the
" great abilities" of Captain Elliot ?

AWFUL AND HEARTRENDINIi
SCENE.
(PROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
CHESTERFIELD, MAY 24.—Yesterday evening the peace-
ful and romantic village of Ashover became the scene of one of
the most deplorable and heartrending tragedies that ever oc-
curred in this, or perhaps any other, country. Mr. Richard
Eaton, a gentleman in independent circumstances, about sixty
years of age, in loading his gun in the house, to go in pursuit
of a mad dog, accidentally shot his son, a youth about 16 or 18
years of age, and immediately after, in the phrensy of the
moment, took a pistol and shot himself through the head, and
fell dead upon the spot. The gun was loaded with slugs, and
its contents first struck the young man's arm, and, after pass-
ing in an oblique direction and shattering the hone, entered his
side. He of course instantly dropped, but he did not expire
till about seven o'clock this morning. On seeing his son fall,
the father was seized with an agony of grief, and exclaiming—
" My dear son ! What shall I do? what shall I do? Nly dear,
dear son !"—he took a loaded pistol, rushed out into the gar-
den, applied the muzzle just below his right ear and fired, when
the bullet, after penetrating the head, passed out a little above
the left ear, causing instantaneous death. Inquests were this
day held over the bodies before Mr. Hutchinson, the Coroner
for the Hundred of Scarsdale, and verdicts returned to the
effect that the son was accidentally shot, and that the father
put an end to his own existence in a fit of phrensy consequent
upon the previous accident. Mr. Eaton was a gentleman very
highly respected by an extensive circle of acquaintances,
to whom his urbanity of manners and his known worth had
greatly endeared him. Ht melancholy end will be a subject
of unfeigned grief to all who knew him. He has left a wife
and daughter who resided with him at Ashover, and a son who
is in business in Nottingham. The younger son, who has lost
his life as above described, was also an apprentice with Mr.
Hicklin, the bookseller in that town, anti had returned to
spend a few weeks at home, in consequence of indisposition.
What adds, if possible, to the deplorable character of this
sad catstrophe, is the circumstance that the elder son was to
have been married this day, and the wedding party were to
have visited Ashover, in commencing the; tour of pleasure,
and preparations were made to receive them, but, alas ! how
changed the scene ! . .. _

Ashover is about six miles to the south-west of Chesterfield ;
Overton-hall, the seat of the late Sir Joseph Banks, is within
about half a mile of the residence of poor Mr. Eaton. Mr. E.
was formerly Governor of the County Prison, Derby, and had
retired with a comfortable independency, and purchased a
pretty little property in Ashover, and was, as it were, the
leading man in the Flace.

The Railways Bill now before Parliament has been
drawn up in such a slovenly manner, and is admitted to
be so defective by all parties who have the safety of the
public in view, that it would be infinitely better
to reject it at once than endeavour to patch up
such an abortive piece of legislation: It hardly coil-
tains one clause that will materially protect the lives of
passengers, and has been drawn up, it would seem,
to make the public believe that something for
their benefit was intended, while absolutely nothing has
been done. The few remarks made by Lord RIPON last
evening, fully bear out these statements. In answer to
a question respecting the locking of carriages on the
Great Western Railway, he said inquiry had been
made on the subject, and he had learned from the
Inspector-General of Railways that it was a most dan-
gerous practice, and ought not to be continued.
He stated further that the Government had no power to
interfere ; yet here is a Bill passed through Committee
without any clause to remedy the defect, or in any way
to modify or abolish a regulation which a paid inspector
describes as a dangerous practice. Now, we should like
to know what is the use of such a functionary, if he do
not point out to his employers the evils of the system,
and, above all, such a glaring evil as that which has
thrown a gloom over the whOle of France, and which,
for aught that Sir J. Cattuar4 or General PASLEY has
done, may in a moment afflict this country with a similar
calamity. It is" singular, too, that the useful motion of
Mr. HARDY received no aid from the Home Secretary,
and was knocked on the head by a brief but very illo-
gical speech from the Chairman of that very railway on
which the dangerous practice still prevails. The French
Government, aware from sad experience of the fatal conse-
quences of running passengers' carriages immediately be-
hind the engine, have decreed that on every line there shall
be a luggage waggon between the engine and the car-
riages; and when the number exceeds five, a second shall
be placed, in order to lessen the risk, till some other
better remedy be devised. This was the object of
Mr. HAttov's motion, which was described as imprac-
ticable, and rejected with insulting haste, without
the slightest allusion to the evidence given before the
Railways Committee, in which it was distinctly proved
that this precaution had been adopted on one line at
least, and, so far from being impracticable or absurd, had
been found eminently effective in preventing fatal
accidents. The Government, therefore, would do
well to reject this Bill, and introduce another,
more strict and comprehensive. The time, too, is favour-
able for such a measure. The scientific men and prac-
tical engineers of France have for some days been
engaged in investigating the causes of the late catas•
trophe, with a view to discovering a remedy. Several
English engineers and directors of railroads, have pro-
ceeded to France for the same purpose, and itis therefore
reasonable to conclude that, within a very short period,
such a mass of information may be obtained as will jus-
tify the Government in rejecting the present Railways
Bill, and enable them to introduce another, based on
sound principles, and really calculated to prevent the re-
currence of such terrible disasters. •

AND

" Who runs may read,"

FOREIGN.

THE 11-111Lticki BUDGET.
(From the Constitutionuel of Monday.)
M. Etienne, reporter of the Committee charged
with the examination of the Bill for definitively regu-
lating the estimates of 1840, has laid his Report on
the bureau of the Chamber. This document, drawn
up with a conscientious sagacity, belongs to that class
of State papers which put us into possession of the real
situation of our expenses and our receipts. Budgets
are now becoming merely vague estimates, and the
laws of finance, which fix befbrehand the expenses
and receipts, are in general so little respected, or so
badly combined in their elements, that at the moment
of the closing of the estimates, they are always sub-
jected to important modifications by the creation of
supplementary credits. Thus, at the moment when
the Chambers voted the supplies of 1840, the budget
presented not only an equilibrium between the re-
ceipts and expenses, but, in addition, a presumed excess
of about sixteen millions, the expenses being esti-
mated at 1,099,913,4871., and the receipts at
1,115,765,222 f. But special laws soon added, in the
sessions of 1839 and 1840, further credits amounting
to 68 millions, so that the bases of the budget were
disarranged, and the equilibrium was already de-
stroyed at the period when the Eastern question forced
the Government to increase its military and maritime
forces. The total resources of the year 1840 amounted
to the sum 1,242,980,600 f. These receipts were com-
posed of 1,115,765,222 f. of ordinary resources, of
73,985,0001. appropriated to public works, of
8,847,948£ brought forward from the estimates of
1838 and 1839, of 11,632,871 f. of excess realised
from the departmental resources, and of 32,749,558 f.
the excess of produce over the original expenses.
From these sums must be deducted 17,274,027 f.
carried on to the following estimates for de-
partmental expenses, leaving for 1840 1,225,706,5721.;
and as the payments effected amount to
1,363,716,102 f., the deficit of receipts of the esti-
mates of 1840 is fixed, by the Bill presented to the
Chamber, at 138,009,529 f. This deficit affects the
ordinary expenses to the amount of 48,597,732 f., and
on extraordinary expenses for 89,411,790 f. In 1839
the budget presented an excess in receipts of more
than three millions, and the last report on the bill of
accounts has announced that the expenses had been
completely paid with the ordinary revenues laid apart
for that purpose, without there being any necessity for
applying to such funds of the other estimates as might
be free. It is to such a position that we ought to
return, but unfortunately the budget of 1843 does not
present,itself in such a way as would lead us to hope
for such a result. It shows at the present moment a
deficit of 33 millions, without our foreign policy im-
posing on us the same sacrifices as in 1840. Besides
the deficit already stated, the Committee on the bud-
get specifices certain necessities which will absorb
considerable sums. Already 1,800,000 f. have been de-
manded for the Valais de Justice at Rouen; the effec-
tive force of the army in Africa is only put down at
38,000 men—a number altogether below the most
favourable probability. No credit has been provided
for the transatlantic steam packets. The interest to
be paid for the emission of a further portion of the
loan are not comprised in the credits which have been
demanded, neither have the expenses of the central
prisons, nor the premiums on the whale and cod
fishery, Btc., been provided for. Supplementary and
extraordinary credits will reveal to us all the chasms
in these estimates, and will show, as to the expenses,
an enormous difference between the finances and the
estimates. Almost all the committees give proofs of
these anomalies, and that on the accounts of 1840
gives also, through 1. Etienne, salutary warnings to
the Government. We desire with all our heart that
the Government may take the warning, and be more
exact and regular for the future in its calculations.

The Droit gives the following as a communication
made to it, but declines vouching for its truth :—" During the
late catastrophe at Meudon, a child, five years old, who was in
one of the burning waggons, was put out of the window by a
lady who sat beside it, and held until a man, dressed as a coun-
tryman, received it in his arms, and carried it out of danger.
The parents have since made every search and inquiry for it,
without being able to discover it. All they have been able
to learn is, that the man was seen with it in his arms crossing
the fields at a distance from the fire. The concea.ment is the
more extraordinary, as the child was very intelligent, and could
give the names of its family, with every particular that might
be required. Information having been given to the Prefect of
Police, officers'are by his order actively engaged in all direc-
tions in endeavouring to recover the child."
The_i popularity of her Majesty's Ministers is so
great n rt. Pancras, that a petition has been prepared, to be
presentedla.her Majesty, praying her Majesty to dismiss them
from hersouneils. From what we have heard of the petition,
we Piave nn doubt it niil be numerously signed by-great num-
bers of that class wham the Ministers have tried all they could
to bribe into supporting them,

There -is no political news in the Paris journals,
save what is contained in our Foreign Summary.
It is afErmed that Count Mole intends to .publish the -speech
which he delivered or. the 17th of Alay;-in the-Cliawrber
Peers, on the right of search. The Noble Peer, it is said,
will add notes which will throw great light on this question.
In a coneistery held at Rowe on the 9th of May, M. de

SUMMARY OF NEWSY

public eptuton.

The leading articles of the Paris papers of Monday possess
no general interest, being on subjects with which the public is
already acquainted. We may, however, make exception to one
in the Constitutionnel, on the Budget. It will be found in
another column, under a proper head.
The Minister of the 31arine, says the Commerce, has sent
express orders to all the ports at which steam-vessels are on
the stocks, to have them finished with the utmost expedition.
'The Constitutionnel, considered the special organ of M.
Thiers, contains on the subject of the right of search a long
and most violent article against M. Gu'zot, who is held up as
the only French Minister, who, to remain in office, wilfully
sacrifices the honour of his country.
The Moniteur Parisien, having stated that it is the inten-
tion of the French Government to raise the duty on linen
threads imported into France to 20 per cent., as soon as the
present session shall have closed, the Courrier Francais has
an article in which it strongly condemns the conduct of the
Government on the subject.
The Minister of Marine then brought forward a Bill for
determining the strength of the navy of Spain, which is to be
fixed as follows :—One line-of-battle ship, four frigates, one
corvette, nine brigs, eight schooners, four steamers, nine ves-
sels of smaller dimensions, making a naval force of 36 vessels.
The crews are to be fixed at 3,260 men, and the marine
artillery at 2,400, making altogether 5,660 working hands.
Barcelona papers of the 17th represent that city as being in
a state of great uneasiness. The Carlist bandit chief Felip,
who was supposed to have taken refuge in France, had re-ap-
peared in the mountains of Upper Catalonia with more nume-
rous forces. The Constitutional says that it is able to announce,
from a good source, that the French authorities lately captured
four of those brigands who had arrested Luis Plantes de
Tortilla, and conveyed him to France.
Our accounts from Madrid are of the 16th inst. The ban-
quet givr n by the Regent on the preceding evening commenced
at seven o'clock and terminated about midnight. Mr. Aston,
the Duke de Glucksberg, the Ministers of Mexico and Bel-
gium, the Captain-General, the Military Governor, the Poli-
tical Chief, the Presidents of the Supreme Tribunals, the
Queen's Guardian, the Intendant of the Civil List, the Pre-
ceptor of the Queen, the Patriarch of the Indies, the Duke of
Baylen, M. Olozaga, and a number of other notable persons
were among the Regent's guests.
In the Madrid Chamber of Deputies the report of the Com-
mittee on the Bill relative to the ►evy of a contingent of 25,000
men was brought up and read, in which it is proposed that CCM-
scnpts in the infantry shall serve eight years, and those in the
cavalry seven.
Some disturuances took place at Seville on the 10th, 11th,
and 12th, among the workmen employed at the tobAcco manu-
factory. The cries of " Death to the Regent! " and " Viva
la Republica ! " were shouted by some of the rioters ; but the
prompt and energet►c measures of the local author sties soon re-
stored order. Also, at Chiclana, near Cadiz, serious disturb-
ances broke out on the I th, occasioned by a tax imposed by the
ayuntamiento, for fitting out the provincial militia. A troop
of cavalry was sent against the mutineers, who had several wen
killed and a great number wounded.
A letter from Alexandria, 26th ult., in the Leipsic Gazette,
states, that the chief of an Abyssinian tribe, at war with Egypt,
having been taken prisoner in a conflict with some Egyptian
troops, Mehemet Alt has ordered that he shall be retained as a
hostage unfit M. Blonde!, the Belgian Consul, who, whilst tra-
velling in Abyssinia, was made a prisoner by this tribe, on the
pretext of his being a spy, shall have been released.
The Cologne Gazette states that the Dervish who has ac-
companied the Turkish Ambassador to Vienna was lately pre-
sented to the Princess de Metternich. At his entrance into the
drawing-room, he flung a rose in the face of the Princess,
which caused some surprise. This was, however, speedily dis-
sipated when he declared that it was the custom of his order to
salute ladies of distinction in this manner.
The famous Hurseff Pacha has got a pension of 30,000
piastres per month, with liberty to move about freely, instead of
being cooped up in his country house. The ex-Grand Vizier,
Rana* Pacha, has also a similar pension, and some people judge
from this that the present Vizier, lzett .ilehmed Pacha, will, at
no dis►ant period, require such an allowance, by being placed
on the retired list. His zeal ter ieligion amid firmness have mad,:
him many enemies among the Franks, but he has been an ad-
mirable Minister to the Turks.