The Sun.
London, England, 1842-04-08 00:00:00

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LONDON?
FRIDAY MORNING. APRIL 8, 1842.

The debate on Mr. T. DUNCO3IIIE'S motion last night I
to discontinue the Standing Order, which precludes the
people from petitioning against any tax proposed for the
service of the year, demonstrates unequivocally that the
country is to be tyrannized over by the strong govern-
ment of the Tories. Sir ROBERT PEEL, it appears, had
a full knowledge of the existence of the regulation,
which other parties, because there had been no occasion
to refer to it for many years, had forgotten. His atten-
tion was called to it by Mr. C. BULLER, after he
had proposed his measure, when he signified his inten-
tion to enforce it, and refused to wait a reasonable time
before he urged the House to agree to his resolutions.
It was not his fault that they were not adopted before
Easter. Secretly, therefore, did he propose his plans,
aware of the rule of the House, which would allow
of no petition against his tax after he had proposed it;
and thus has he undeavoured, without allowing
the people a chance of appealing, to fix on theni an in-
come tax, not only for this year, but for three years, for
five years, or even for ever.
Last night he resolutely maintained the Standing
Order. It is a convenient instrument for tyranny. It
was framed, as Mr. MACAULAY and Sir J. HANmEn, a
Tory, observed, in troublesome times, and for a temporary
purpose. Few of the people have ever heard oCit. Its
very existence is a trap, in which any oppressor may
catch the people. The general ignorance of its exist-
ence shows that it conies seldom into use. It is plainly
obsolete, and ought to be expunged.
This rule was originally framed to insure the supplies
being voted, at a period immediately subsequent to the
Revolution. half the nation was then opposed to the
existing Government, and determined to embarrass it.
Though Sir R. PEEL had little to say in favour of the
rule, except that it is a Standing Order, and has long
been a Standing Order, he would not allow it to be re-
pealed. Ilis majority stood by him, and he carried his
point by 167 to 136, the minority being sufficiently
large to ensure the repeal of the Standing,' Order at no
distant day.
To Mr. DUNCOMBE all the speakers on his side gave
great and just praise. We know no Member who has
more uniformly distinguished himself in the cause of the
people. He is bold, honest, straightforward, and Judi-
, cious. Though his motion was lost, it has served even
more than the income tax itself to exhibit the Tories in
their true light of the determined opponents of public
liberty.
Now that the exposure is complete, it gives us great
satisfaction to reflect that we have throughout opposed
Sir ROBERT PEEL'S prOCe&iings as oppressive and

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dt'spotic. We have not—like many individuals
like some contemporary journals, and like some
Members of Parliament been seduced, by the
promised advantages of the tariff, to accept as
a boon, his whole financial scheme. From the
very first we stigmatised his conduct as arbitrary
and tricky. We have said over and over again that
were his tariff' much better than it is, the mode of bring-
ing it forward; coupled with the income tax, consulting
none of the great interests it meddles with, and forcing
it through by a threat. of resignation, is so oppressive
and unconstitutional, that it ought to be rejected. We
have now the satisfaction of knowing that a great num-
ber of Members of the House of Commons are of. the
same Opinion, as the speeches and votes of last night
testify, and we hope from that House a conviction will
spread through the country that Sir llonrarr PEEL is a
plausible, but dishonest politician, who is undeserving
Of public confidence.
We have the satisfaction also of knowing that such
all Opinion is fast gaining ground. The agriculturists
of Ayr, as well as those of Lincolnshire have con-
demned his tariff and his income tax. In fact, his
scheme pleases no class, and is supported by his own
followers as a pis aller. It is a mere emanation of his
own self will, in accordance with no public Opinion, and
therefore as unfit as the crotchets of Mr. OWEN, or the
(Feta of Mr. FEARGUS O'CONNOR, to become the law of
the land. He has, however, a largo majority to support
him, corotituting what is called a strong Government ;
and he is able, greatly to the satisfaction of some of our
friends, who are enamoured of such a Govern-
meat, to laugh to scorn all rest ect for public opinion,
and plant his foot firmly on the neck, while his
hand dives deep into the pocket, of the nation. His
conduct in maintaining an absurd Standing Order, be-
cause it serves a tyrannical purpose, showing, as Mr. C.
13ULLER remarked, less respect for the public than 'was
slymn l y Lord CASTLEREAGH, reveals at once his
odious design.. He is resolved to make the strong Go-
vernment the master and tyrant of the nation.

TRANSMISSION OF LETTERS.
MONTHLY STATEMENT OF LETTERS DELIVERED IN
THE UNITED KINGDOM :-

Week ending March 20, 1842 . - 3,964,286
Week ending March 21, 1841 . . 3,721,4545
Week ending- Nov. 24, 1839 . . 1,683,973
.increase since 1841, on the week's
letters . . .
increase since 1839, on the week's
letters

242,831

. 2,378,313

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.

Miss Adelaide Kemble gained another triumph last night in
her performance of Amina in Bellini's opera of La Sonnam.
b la, which was, for the first time, brought out in an English
dress. Mr. Leffler appeared as Count Rudolph's, and Harrison
as Elvin° ; in addition to whom, as singers, ware Miss Grant.
Mrs. 11. Hughes, Mr. W. Harrison, Mr. G. Horncastle, and
Mr. Wigan. No drama better than that of Sonnambula could
have been chosen for the display of Miss Kemble's versatile •
and commanding powers. It abounds wi+lll oppor unities Ix
the tout eal expression of fear, hope, despair, and kiy, on the
part of the love-stricken Arnim, a character for which Mali-
bran and Grisi, on the Italian stage, have crea'ed a lasting po •
pularity, to beat length equalled, we hope, by that which Miss
Kemble will undoubtedly obtain for it on the English boards.
A primary difficulty in the representation of Amina, is the ne-
cessity which exists for distinctly, yet delicately, marking the
difference between her waking and sleeping singing. 'this
necessity can be observed only by those who have a high fed-
ing for art, and when the observation has been justly and
properly made, it does not follow as a matter of course
that there is a corre-ponding ability to realise its de-
mands. Mi.s Kemble realises those demands She has
made herself great in Norma and Elena (Thera, but
she is still greater in La Sonnambula. The most difficult
piece of execution in the play, which depends upon the mo-
ment that marks the difference between her waking and
sleeping singing, was that which was represented with the
greatest tact. Mr. Leffier's singing and acting were both
excellent in their way, and Miss Grant accomplished her
task, which was arduous, in a very satisfactory an 4 delightful
manner. At the termination of the opera, Miss Kemble was
called before the curtain to receive the congratulations of
the audience, and her reception on this occasion, as well as
throughout the opera, was enthusiastic. The house was com-
pletely filled with a delighted company. The opera is to be re.
peated on Monday next, for the benefit of Alias Kemble.

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