The Sun.
London, England, 1829-07-31 00:00:00

THE LATE EXTRAORDINARY WAGERS.

The steam-boat which arrived yesterday from Rotten.
dam has brought the result of the Alsestricht wagers, the
principal of which has been lost, though only by a few
minutes, as one of the pigeons did arrive in six hours and
a quarter from the time of leaving England, and this in
spite of a continued heavy rain, which fell during the
whole time. The minor wagers have been won, the
second pigeon arriving in seven hours, the third in seven
hours and ten minutes, the. fourth iu seven hour% and
half, and in four days more than 20 of the pigeons had
reached Maestricht. The experiment is an exceedingly
interesting one, as illustrating the instincts of this remark-
able bird, and a repetition of it is, it is said, shortly to tate
place. The first pigeon must have travelled, assuming
that it took a straight line, at the rate of 45 miles an hour.

In the tract of country from near Cum-
bernauld to near Eaglesham (Scotland) wheat is generally
a fine crop, and the fields occupied with it have a luxuri-
ant aspect, though in some situations it is observed to
have a short ear, and in others it is partially laid. Oat%
are not so good ; on all ordinary soils they are but
The hay crop in most places is deficient, but in
Kilbride it is regarded as not below the averuve. There
are many fields of luxuriant potatoes, but there are also
many poor, especially in the strath of Srauth Calder. The
bean crop is described as defective, ar.:;*l not above half the
usual number of pods is on the stalk. The peas are in
full bloom, and where the strew is not too rank, are likely
to yield well. The barley crop, which is accounted light,
is ripening, and if heavy rains do not intervene, it will be
ready for reaping in a fortnight,— Glasgow Chronicle,

A few of our neighbouring farmers have tow,
menced reaping their Wheat, but we should think it can,
not be generally fit to cut for ten days at the least, as it is
only a few piece; of Talavera and Navarre wheat on good
ground that is at present at all ready. A great deal of
hay has been stacked since our last in very good condition.
The oats and barley are improved more than could possibly
have been expected, and we should say promise an abund-
ant crop. The peas look well, and are almost ready to cut;
and though the beans have improved lately in appearan-T,
in proportion with the oats and barley, yet we hear of a
deficiency of pods. The turnips grow fast, but the
weather has materially prevented the operation of the hoe
to any good purpose ; and the wheat fallow's, in the Weald
especially, are in a very bad state. The clovers and row-
ens (where the grass was cut early) are grown very much ;
but the second crop of clover has been much hurt by the
long time the first crop lay on the ground, and where it iA
intended for seed will make it come very unevem,-1ir.914^
ton Gazette,

the Flemings and Brabanters—all attest the order
I and civilization of Papists. Bishop Berkeley,
Our number of yesterday announced the fact
having seen the industry of Piedmont and Flan-
of a Messenger having been sent off, bearing I ders, very candidly admitted that the backward-
despatches both from the Foreign and Coloniallness of the Irish was aot caused by their reli-
Offices—the first addressed to Mr. Dawkins, theigion. We pounced upon the native Irish when
English Resident in Greece ; the other to Sir they had not made the first step towards civiliza-
Frederick Adam, the High Commissioner in tion—the having a property in land, and living
. the lonian Islands. It will be borne in mind in fixed towns, and we kept them barbarous, by
that we, from private but perfectly authentic considering all beyond the pale as a sort of
sources of information, announced exclusively, hunting-groieul for profligate adventurers from
that much embarrassment had been experienced i England. The habits of the people are such as
by our newly-accredited Ambassador at Con- are to be met with in all people in the same stage
stantinople, from an ill-timed remonstrance ad- of civilization. In Ulster there is more civilize-
dressed to him on the part of the Count Capo tion than in Connaught or Munster, partly, per-
d'lstria, the President of Greece ; and it has haps, because the Protestant religion tends to
since transpired that the same Grecian fume- promote civilization, but in a far greater degree
tionary is anything but satisfied with the line of because the Protestants there are the descendants
conduct which Mr. Dawkins felt himself bound of emigrants from provinces where the arts of
to adhere to, in the discharge of his duty as life were better known at the time of the emigre-
English Charge d'Affaires, if we may be allowed tion, than among the native Irish.—lbid.
so to designate him. The despatches sent from
In Mr. Barrinaton's evidence before the Corn-
two of our State Departments by the same . sr,
truce on the Irish Miscellaneous Estimates,
Messenger (in itself rather an unusual oc-
there are some curious statements respecting
currence) are understood to be is conse-
quence of the recent communication from the Le-
Rapes :
want ; and without pretending to a minute ac-
;?
I Are cases of rape prosecuted by the Crown
—o, unless they are rapes upon married women,
quaintance with diplomatic mysteries, we will or by parties; the common cases of rape are not.
yet venture to prognosticate that the Greek Pre- " How does the practice stand with cases of ab-
sulent will experience much disappointment, if duction ?—They are prosecuted by the Crown. We
lie has reckoned upon a change of the political hail a very serious case of abduction last year against
system of the British Cabinet, whether as re- a man of the name of Haliby, in the county of Cork ;
Bards the acknowledgment of his imaginary he was hanged, and we were obliged to remove the
woman out of that county to, Limerick, and bring
blockade, or the more complicated and serious
e e her and keep her there till fire Assizes, though her
question of the boundary to be insisted on at tn
father was a very respectable farmer.
settlement of the Greek Question. We must " Why is it not the custom for the Crown to
once more desire our readers to remember that prosecute cases of common rape ?—Because, I be-
the nomination of M. Capo d'lstria to be Pre- lieve, the Attorney-General knows that he increases
sident of Greece was almost exclusively the effect the expellee by every prosecution that he adds to the
Of the influence_of Russia, and he has evinced number.
his gratitude to that Power by an uniform ac- "Is the case of simple rape common upon the
quiescence in her views, and devotion to her in- Circuit?—Quite common; there were fifteen or
terests ; and further, we must bear in mind, that sixteen at the last Assizes.
" Do you really mean to say that you really con-
in a complicated negociation,whether diplomatic
ceive fifteen or sixteen cases of rape might have been
or domestic, a good grievance is the best substi- proved to the full extent of the word ?—No ; I was
Lute for a well-founded claim—of this truth we going to add, that in general there would not have
apprehend the President is fully aware; or if he been two real ones out of the fifteen ; it is a mode
should at any time forget it, there is little ques- that girls have of swearing a rape against a man to
tion but the Cabinet of St. Petersburgh will try to get married to him.
assist his memory.—Monzing Chronicle. " Or for money ?—No, not for money generally.
" Do you think it would increase the number of
The Standard has very singular notions re- charges for rape, if prosecutions were instituted at
specting Leland. Alluding to changes either the expence of the public ?—No; for our mode of
effected or projected in the judicial institutions conducting cases is first to investigate, and not to
of Ireland, our contemporary observes : bring any case forward where we have not a proba-
"We shall not encumber ourselves with the ab- bility of success; whereas, now there are a greater
',tract question of the advantage of these institu- number of trials, arid the time of the public
tions; they may be good or they may be bad ; but wasted. If you will look at the number of trials
whatever they are, they are fit only for a state of conducted by the Crown, and the number of con-
society reclaimed to civilization and peace; riot for victions, you will, I think, find they are more in
an anarchy like that which the evidence quoted bc- proportion than any number at the Old Bailey.
low proves to prevail in the Popish provinces of " How are the expences of common prosecutions
Ireland. No; we may try as many species of po- for rapes paid ?—There is no expence at all; the
lice as ever entered into the brain of any half-hun- girl comes forward and tells her story ; there is
died projectors; mould our Constitution as fee. no one to ask her a question except the Court."
quently and violently, to please the fashionable Ja- And why should some precautions not be
alibi!' taste, as the French did between 1788 and deemed necessary for the protection of the men
1803; all will not do; while Popery prevails all liable in the proportion of fifteen to two, to suf.
nur efforts will be in vain. There is no making fer an imprisonment before trial, o ithout actual
bricks without straw ; and in a population in which
guilt as well as for the sawing the time of the
the place that ought to be occupied by a principle _
our '? t . Any g,irl who wishes a husband and
of coherence is possessed by an elastic spirit of
hatred and revolt, you never can permanently main-
has no other means of obtaining one, is kindl)
eta civil institutions but by permanent and over- invited to seek the aid of a Court of Justice,
bearing force. Put down Popery, and then Ireland which will soften his heart by the fear of the
will be in a condition to receive institutions suitable rope which it suspends over his head. Mr. Bar-
to a government of law; but not till then. And rington, having a character to lose, will not pro-
that Popery may be put down cheaply, easily, arid secute, except where the evidence bears out the
Illoodteesly. we know by the history of every coun-
try prosecution ; but why should not there be a re-
lesil made. The blunder into which men fall, in which the attempt has been honestly and fear-
t:p.onsibility operating in behalf of the accused in
when; y
they suppose that strong measures employed
all cases ? In England, a girl desirous of a
against this pest would tend to confirm its votaries husband, can compass her purpose through the
the more in their superstition—this blunder, which instrumentality of parish officers, who, on her
is contradicted by the experience of all the reformed swearing a child, will imprison a poor man, and
nations of the earth, arises from the gratuitous only set him at liberty on his consenting to
hypothesis that Popery is a religion which rests in marry.—lbid.
man's conviction. It is no such thing—it is a fraud
supported by juggling, conspiracy, and tyranny ; When the Swedish Prime Minister, Oxen-
and in every instance where the head has been stiern we believe, sent his son on an important
struck at, where the juggler has been solemnly embassy to Vienna, he is reported to have said,
exposed, the conspiracy broken up by authority, " es,-,
o, my son, and see with how little wisdom
and the tyrant dethroned by act of the State, the
le have gone along with their rulers in shaking the world is governed ;" and the same reflection
'off their delusions and their chains." will occur to every one who has the opportunity
We have no doubt- that Popery might easily of viewing, at a moderate distance, the sort of
have 6Cen put down in Ireland, had the Go- machinery by which the affairs of Governments
vernment Leen honest, and had sincerely at heart generally are managed. There is much show
the improvement of the country. Savages or and pretence, but little actual claim to wisdom
half-savages are no great doctors, and very little —many reasons for this or that line of conduct,
skill is requisite to draw them over to any new re- but, when duly investigated, little solidity in
ligion. At the time of the Reformation it de- them—many pretensions to economy, but still
pended often on some trifling circumstance more glaring proofs of waste and extravagance.
whether countries much farther advanced than A sample of such things, or rather a proof .:-.1
Ireland should be Catholic or Protestant. The these assertions, wiil be found in the report of
Senate of Berne put it to the vote whether the the Select Committee, which was appointed
State should adopt the reformed religion or not ; during the last session of Parliament to inquire
and the reformed religion having a majority of into the Irish Miscellaneous Estimates. The
votes, It was formally established. When the Report is one which those who peruse it will
Sovereigns of Sweden and Denmark saw that dwell upon with mingled feelings of regret, that
they might draw to themselves the power enjoyed the public money should have been thrown away
by the Catholic Establishment, they made their with such heedless extravagance on Irish jobs,
subjects Lutherans. The seventeen united and of satisfaction, that a Committee of honest
provinces were once on the point of being all men has at last been found to do its duty
Protestant' A good story is told by Lord by the country, and recommend the total
Kames of the conversion of the people of the abolition of grants which, however they
Hebrides to the Protestant religion, by the Laird might serve the interests of individuals, have
ordering them to follow him as Chief; and done any thing but benefit the country. By a
when he came to the Protestant Church doors, and clause inserted in the Act of Union, the Par-
they demurred to follow him, lie took the foremost liament of the United Kingdom was bound to
by the shoulders and pushed him in, and the rest provide that a sum not less than the sum granted
followed like a flock of sheep, and they were all by the Parliament of Ireland, on the arerage of
good Protestants ever afterwards. But it is neces- six years immediately preceding the year 1800,
sary that the people should have confidence in the in premiums for the internal encouragement of
good intentions of those who take such liberties agriculture and manufactures, or for maintaining
with them. Wherever any Protestant Clergy- of institutions for pious and charitable purposes,
man in Ireland, like Bishop Jeedel,.sympathised should be applied for a period of twenty years
with the natives, they bestowed their confidence to such local purposes in Ireland, and in such
on him; and there is good authority for stating manner as the Parliament of the United King-
that the native Irish listened as willingly to Pro- dom might direct ; but John Bull is generous to
testant Preachers as to Catholic at one time, excess, and not satisfied with appropriating the
when the former were able to address them in sum thus stipulated for, amounting to 73,0001.
Irish. The Presbyterian Church in Scotland, annually, or, in twenty years, to somewhere
which had really at heart tile instruction of the about a million and a half, lie had no sooner
le laid down a rule which it has always ri- concluded the contract, than instead of 73,0001.
peop. "
ae4
gidly tiered to—that no Minister should be lie voted at once upwards of 100,0001.! and
parish who could not thus has he gone on, good-natured man,—not- '
settled in .a Highland
preach in the .Erse or Irish language ; if this withstanding the pressure of taxation, the stagna-
rule had not beet;
laid down, the Highlanders tion of trade, and the misery of the people—
would have remainea Catholics, like the native since 1804, to the present moment, as will be
Irish. The Irish remain,'d Catholics because no seen by the following statement :
pains were ever taken to max:
' e them Protestants, CONTRACT.
and because those who oppreteed them and (As per Act of Union.)
robbed them of their lands wet eof the Protestant Average of six years preceding Ist January, 1800, £73,277
religion. But what an infatuation to suppose FULFILMENT.
(As per Votes of the United Parliament.)
that Popery and anarchy must always be ideas ,
Average of three years to Ist January, 1804... £108,121
tical ! We are not insensible to the benefits Ditto ditto to Ist J tnuary, 1507 126,123
conferred in Europe by the establishment of an Ditto ditto to Ist January, 1810 159,585
opposition Church, which broke the power of Ditto ditto to Ist January, ISIS 247 911
Ditto ditto to Ist January, 1816 343,527
the Priests. But who that has looked into his-
Ditto ditto to Ist January, 1819 266.589
tory does not see, that under the Catholic Re-
Ditto ditto to Ist January, 1822 195,585
Upon, there was a constant improvement going . Ditto ditto to Ist January, 1825 161,472
on in all the countries of Europe (in some more, Ditto ditto to Ist January, 1828 173,866
in some less), down to the period of the Re- Forming a total, during twenty-eight years, of
formation, which was itself the result of the men- five and a half millions sterling !—threefold, or
tal agitations produced by increasing knowledge? more, than the amount contemplated by the
The splendid systems of irrigation in Lombardy \ Act of Union ! _ The matter, after all, would
end Tuscany, the commerce, mechanical inven- admit of but little bitter reflection, if the money
tions, and beautiful agriculture of Flanders, from I had been expended usefully, and contributed to
which we derived all that is excellent in our own the improvement of Ireland; but it appears from
farming long aftergood fanning was known among i the Report of the Select Committee, that the

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.