The Sun.
London, England, 1827-03-01 00:00:00

THE LONDON UNIVErtSITY.

Yesterday the Annual General Meeting of the Proprietors of
I the University of London was held at the Crown and Anchor
Tavern in the Strand, purstiani to the 58d article of the Deed
of Settlement, for the purpose of receiving the Report of the Coun-
cil as to the state of their affairs. The attendance of Shareholders
was, for ciliate time after the Council- entered the room, under 30,
the number required to make a Court.
Lord AUCKLAND took the Chair.
.- Mr. John Smith, 111.13., Dr. Birkbece-, M.. A4' . Campbell, Mr.
Hume, and the MeMbere Of the Council, were present.
The C!."iRMAN stated the object of the Meeting, and said,
that the inclemency of the season had prevented the p,:,•sons em-
ployed in the building of the University making tha'i. progress
which the impatience of the Shareholders and of the Council
made them desire ; but he had great pleasor?, iti beii:g able to in- 1
form the Shareholders that the 'cle;aY arose from no deficiency of
means, or advent cause, other than the one he had stated, and that
the whol'a a.'ifairs of the Institution were in a state of continued
prosperity.—(Cheers.)
Mr. THOMAS CAMPBELL, as he was obliged to quit the Meet-
ing abruptly on a journey of important business to a distant part
of the country, begged to be permitted, though out ef. Order, to
make a valedictory address to the Meeting. lie was sorry to say
that the progress of the signatures to the Deed of Settlement was
not so great as it might to be, or the promises of those who thus
delayed gave them a right to expect. He owned he felt mortified
at this circumstance ; but he hoped that before he returned, every
Shareholder would have redeemed the pledge of honour given, and
which was outstanding until the Deed of Settlement was signed,
and the subscriptions completed.—(Hear, hear.—He regretted
that he should be unable to attend their intended solemnity of lay-
ing the first stone, but he trusted that the highest spirit of zeal
would be manifested on the occasion.
One of the Counsel here came fotWard, and saieit was useless
to regret the delay of Shareholders in signing the deed, because
little could fairly be expected of those Shareholder; until they and
the public received proof that the pledge given them of building
the University would be redeemed. E proportion as the Council
advanced in the work, and gave practical assurances of its com-
pletion, ti-,,se Shareholders and others would come forward to
give their support to the undertaking.—(Hear, hear.),—For his
part, as an individual Shareholder, and as a Member of the Coun-
cil, he could declare that the prospects of the completion, and-en-
tire success of the undertaking, were now beyond the warmest
anticipations which actuated him at the outset.—(Cheers.)—Let
it be shown how far they were in earnest, and the Shareholders
would not, he was sure, be backward.
Mr. CAMPBELL said, the advice was proffered in his zeal for
the Institution, and he hoped it had not given offence.--(No, no,
from several Members of the Council.)

Mr. Cox, the Honorary• Secretary, then read the Report, which
stated that the Council had completed the contracts for building
the University. Under these contracts, excavations of earth had
been made fir laying the foundation. Nothing was expected that
might intervene to prevent them from laying the first stone in the
course of April next.—(Applause.)—His Royal Highness the
Duke of Sussex had promised to honour them with his presence.
A call of one instalment of 10 per cent. had been made, and
now in the progress of collection. It was met in the most satis-
factory manner. The Council had great satisfaction in being able
to stare, that the applications for Professorships had been highly
numerous, from men of the highest eminence, and that these situ-
ations would be filled by men who could not but satisfy the expec-
tations
of the public, and ensure the success of the undertaking.—
The money at present received on 1,179 Shares, amounted to
29,4701. The total receipts, including donations, &c., were
33,6021. Of this 30,0001. had been paid for land for the scite
of the University, and after various charges enumerated, had been
defrayed, they had a balance of upwards of 2,5001. in the hands
of their bankers.

A resolution, expressive of the satisfaction of the Meeting with
this Report, was then moved and carried unanimously. It was
ordered that the Report should be printed, and sent to the Share-
. _

iolders.

In consequence of the present thin Meeting, which was at-
tributed by several Shareholders to the circumstance of its only
having been advertised in two Daily Papers, the Council were
recommended to send notice of Meetings in future by letter to all
those who resided in the Metropolis.

Dr. GILCHRIST said, he was of opinion that it was highly im-
portant there should be a Professorship of the Oriental Languages
established in the Metropolis. He wished to learn from the
Noble Chairman whether there was any intention of attaching one
to the University.

The CHAIRMAN, in reply, assured the Worthy Proprietor that
the Oriental Professorship had not been lost sight of, and that
they had still an intention of making provision for one.
Dr. GILCHRIST said, he had offered his gratuitous services to
the University, in promoting the knowledge of those languages.
He by no means wanted himself to have any thing to do with a
Professorship. —( Applause. )
The CHAIRMAN said, the University were much indebted to
the Doctor for his offer.

One SHAREHOLDER stated, that himself and several others were
desirous of paying up in full upon their Shares, but when it was
tendered, they were informed that no authority had been given by
the Council to receive more than the regular calls. He thought
it desirable that every person who chose should be allowed to pay
up in full.

The CHAIRMAN said, they were certainly ready to receive such
payments ; but if any express notice had been given that they were
ready to do so, it would appear as if they wished to forestall their
resources.

Mr. RICHARD TAYLOR stated, that in a case where he was ex-
ecutor, the intention of the party to pay up in full had been pre-
vented by his death. He would have paid up in full, in the first in-
stance, had he understood that he would be permitted to do so.
A SHAREHOLDER expressed his hopes, that the building would
not be delayed by the ceremony of laying the first stone.

The CHAIRMAN replied, that what was called the first stone,
was not, in fact, the first stone of the building, but the corner
stone, and that the work would not be delayed by the ceremony.
It would certainly not be performed until after the 15th of April,
since Mr. Brougham, whose presence on the occasion was much
desired, would not return from the Circuit before that time.

Mr. Tiumr suggested, that the Shareholders should bring as
many of their friends as they could to the entertainment, which
would be given on the occasion, for numbers would greatly con-
tribute to its spirit and success.

Thanks were voted to the Chairman, after which the Meeting
separated.

ONE SWALLOW DOES NOT MAKE A SUMMER.—
One sharp frosty day, the Prince of Wales went into the Thatch-
ed-house Tavern, and ordered a beef-steak ; but, observing that
it was excessively cold, desired the waiter to bring him first
a glass of brandy and water. He emptied that in a twink-
ling, then a second, then a third. " Now," said his Royal
Highness, " I am warm and comfortable ; bring my steak." On
this, Mr. Sheridan, who was present, wrote the following im-
promptu :

" The Prince came in and said 'twas cold,
Then put to his head the rummer ;
Till SWALLOW after SWALLOW came,
Then he pronounc'd it sumstia."—Liverpool Albion.
ARBROATII.---On Wednesday morning, a report
got abroad that that noted miser Willie Scott, better known by
the name of Pluffy, was dead ; and as he had been observed to be
in a declining state for some time past, it was readily believed...—
An immense crowd soon collected at his house, who, after many
attempts to force an entrance, at last broke open the door, but
such an effluvia issued from the interior, that few could go far-
ther. On going in, they found the poor wretch not dead, but in
a very deplorable condition. He lay stretched upon a pallet, not
of straw, for that would have been a luxury; but on a few rough
boards, which kept him from the earthen floor, without an article
to cover him, save a few rags which served the two-fold purpose
of bed and body clothes. On being found, he expressed a wish
that two or three individuals, distant relations of his, should be
sent for, and on their appearing, he disclosed the secret where the
purse was laid, and desired them to part it among them, for he
wished to die. It is something singular how the poor wretch
who has undergone every species of self-privation could have
parted with his money so freely. In the corner of his dreary
cell, under a flag-stone, was discovered a bank cheque for
100/., one sovereign, and twenty-eight one pound notes—the
paper shelved symptoms of a speedy approach to dissolution.—
Large quantities of silver mostly old coinage, and copper, were
found deposited in old shoes ; but there are still two boxes
which he has forgotten where they are hid ; however, he says
they will be got, as they are not out of the house. Scott had a
great partiality for hens and ducks, for guns, pistols, swords, and
other warlike instruments, several scores of
nwohmicphaniaornes t
in he
s
house. Such of the hens and ducks, his only
dreary mansion, as had survived the protracted confinemei,t,
without food, were sent to his relatives. He was also conveyed
from his filthy abode to the house of a relation, where he is to un-
dergo a thorough cleinsing; but it is not expected he can re-
cover, as one of his legs is greatly mortified.—Caledonian Mer-
cury.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

FRENCH PAPERS:
(From the _bode, dated TiiesAay4, Feb. Tt.)

Manazo, FEB. 15.—Doubts are entertained whether the levy,
which has been decreed, can be soon carried into effect, the Trea-
sury being so exhausted as to be unable to provide for the most
trifling disbursements, however urgent.
Another Decree of February the 9th, founded on the necessity
of protecting and extending the commerce of America with the
mother country, provisionally auihbriies the Spaniards to send
merchandize from the ports of the Peninsula to the Colonies, in
foreign vessels, on the payment of certain duties by the proprie-
tors of those ships.
A Royal Order, inserted in a Circular of the Council of Cas-
tile, elated the 7th, grants to the bank of St. Charles the privilege
of receiving judi:±l
Gen. Morales, who rendered himself so famous a lei? years ago
in the war on the Terra Firma, is going to set out for the Canary
Islands, of which he is appointed Capt.-General.
VIENNA, FEB. 17.—A dreadful murder was committed a few
days ago on Abbe Plank, 72 years of age, and Professor of the
Mathematics. He had given lessons to the Crown Prince and the
Duke of Reichitadt, and was generally eeteemed. The individual
whom every circumstance indicates as the perpetrator, disco-
vered yesterday by the exertions of the Police, and delivered into
the hands of justice. He belongs to the higher class of society,
had been Colonel in a Polish legion, wore the insignia of several
orders, and had been Marshal of the Nobility in a district of Po-
dolia. Under the pretext of having money to lend, he formed an
acquaintance with the unfortunate Professor, and stabbed him
with a dagger in thirteen places. The whole city is seized with
horror, as well on account of the murder itself, as of the circum-
atanees accompanying the arrest df the supposed murderer. The
latter has hitherto persisted in denying his guilt.
LIES OF THE DAY.

PARIS, FEB. 26.—The Courier Francais.—The King of
Spain lately received a Note from Mr. Lamb; and having given
it to the Council of State, that it might give him its opinion, the
Council, in which Don Carlos presided, took the strange resolu-
tion not to answer it.
THE Samr..—The New Holy Alliance has been formed of
Rome, Austria, France, and Spain, to reduce to nothing the
reclamations of the people. The Jesuits are the secret agents of it.
THE QUOTIDIENNE.--It is proved by the reports of the Con-
stitutional Generals themselves, that the Moniteur and Etoile, in
announcing that the Portuguese Refugees were retreating towards
Gallicia, have announced a fact notoriously false.*
(From the Journal de Paris of Monday, Feb. 26.)
PARIS, FEB. 25.—The Quotidienne, which, since it has
joined the ranks of Opposition, partakes of the systematic madness
by which that opposition is possessed, sings Te Deum in honour
of the Portuguese Rebels on the day of their defeat, and thinks it
can divine their victory as it divined their plot. Unfortunately,
the field of battle is in Portugal.
The head-quarters of the intrigue are perhaps here. What
does the Quotidienne say to this, which was so well informed
_ _

before-hand of the revolt of the Marquis de Chaves, and now s;
ill-informed respecting the success of his arms? We must, how-
ever, explain to the readers of the Quotidienne the return of the
Portuguese refugees into Portugal, which it considers as a cir-
cumstance so favourable to the party which it protects. The Re-
fugees, who were lately repulsed to the Spanish frontiers, had re-
turned into Portugal out of despair, and because the Spanish
Authorities, who .had received positive orders, were seriously re-
solved to disarm them, and send them into the interior of the
kingdom, they then thought it better to try their fortune a.second
time, and to return into Portugal, either to venture another at-
tack, or to seek an asylum in the mountains. It is in conse-
quence of this second attempt that they have been completely
beaten, as stated in the letters from Madrid of Feb. 15. This
may open the eyes of the Quotidienne to the real causes of this
second enterprise. We are happy to give it this information, for
this proves that the Spanish Government has acceded in intention
and fact to the general policy of -Europe, which will, doubtless,
give the Quotidienne great satisfaction.
(From the Constitutionnel of Monday.)
PARIS, FEB. 25.—One of our Subscribers, of the reformed
religion, addresses to us the following observations The Ga-
zette des Tribunaux of the 18th February contains a Decree
passed by the Court Royal of Bourges, the consideration of which
deserves all the attention of the friends of Religious Liberty. The
case was that of M. Gobin, a merchant of Sancerre, whose shot,
in killing a partridge, had touched, it was said, a statue of the
Holy Virgin, placed there by the piety of a private individual.
The Tribunal of Sancerre had condemned the sportsman to six
months' imprisonment and 600 francs fine, conformably to the
law relating to sacrilege. The Court Royal of Bourges, on ap-
peal, annulled this judgment." The following are the principal
grounds of its decree :—" Considering that this crime is one of
those which ought to be regarded with the greatest horror in a
country where the only true religion, the Catholic, is the religion
of the State; that the profanation of the image of the Mother of
our Divine Saviour ought to be punished with great severity;
but that the more grievous the offence, the more the accused has
a right to require that his guilt should be proved in the most po-
sitive manner ; considering that such proof is not found in the
present case; that presumption and probability are not sufficient
to justify the infliction of the severe punishment provided in
Article 11, of the Law of the 20th April, 1825, on a well-known
inhabitant, who has never before been subjected to accusation,
producing numerous certificates, among which is one of the Mayor
of the Commune, who attests that the civil conduct of this honest
merchant is irreproachable, and also that of ,the Curate of the
parish, who declares that M. Gobin has never proved himself an
enemy of religion."
Here then we have a Court of Justice, declaring by its decree,
that the Catholic Religion is the only true religion. That with
which the law, with respect to sacrilege, has been particularly
reproached, is the conversion of religious truths into legal truths,
and to restore the mixture of spiritual and temporal, which is so
fatal to public peace, and religion itself. The defenders of this
law have pretended that that was not its effect ; that it protected
equally, all religions, and excepted none. His Excellency, the
Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs, has said, that the law watched
with equal solicitude over the security of every communion ; that
the question was not so much to know whether the Catholic Re-
ligion was the true Religion or not; that it was sufficient if it
was recognised by the state, in order to obtain from it the neces-
sary protection. Is it not, then, to depart strangely from the
spirit of the law to say, in stating the grounds of a decree fur its
,
tif
application, that the Catholic Religion is the only true o
It seems to us that there is controversy in this, and that the seat
of the Judge singularly encroaches on the pulpit of the Preacher.
in
had
What
been would 11 d have
Protestants occurred
as
in ifother theca Cu:tuarotfßtohyea of
kingdom
iaglo there
murfes
They
could not have signed the reasons which were given for the de-
cree; and what sort of formula of judgment is that which cannot
be signed by a numerous class of Frenchmen, declared as fit as
others for judicial functions?

The orators for the Ministry have said, in the present discus-
sion on the law relating to the Press, that if the offences which
it embraces are referred to the Tribunals, the latter must lay aside
what is called public opinion, and even their own opinion, in
order to consult nothing but the law ; can it be said that the
Counsellors of the Court Royal of Bourges have laid aside theirs ?
We wish not to arraign their attentions ; they feared, perhaps,
that the acquittal they were about to pronounce contrary to the
opinion of the Government officers would be a triumph for irre-
ligious minds, and therefore they thought it necessary to introduce
a corrective; yet this excess of prudence has strangely misled
them. We tremble to think that the accused might be a Protes-
tant ; for there is a Protestant Church at Sancerre. Certainly
he could not have produced the certificate mentioned in the con-
siderant ; and without that attestation the Court Royal would
have thought that the strongest presumptions of a guilty intent
existed against him, and although innocent he would have been
condemned.

M. J. Didot, one of our most celebrated printers, has just
formed an establishment at Brussels. He is transporting thither
a second set of dies, and they will have the same types as at Paris.
The King of the Netherlands, who does not regard printing as a
wound or a scourge, has, by his decree of the 27th January last,
granted to M. Didot the importation, without duty, of all things
necessary for the formation of a foundry, and a printing-house.—
Thus our neighbours profit by the faults of our Ministry.
LISBON, FEB. 10.--(Extract from a private Letter.)—The
connivance of Spain at the Portuguese rebels was prored to-day
in the most evident manner. All impartial men in Europe will
allow the Casus Fcederis with respect to Portugal. Its alliance,
however, with England will not allow it to adopt directly any re-
solution, on this point, until Mr. Canning has thought proper to
declare that it would henceforth be dangerous to await the adop-
tion of the locus penitentice by the Apostolical Spanish Cabinet,
which seems determined not to change its system, and to com-
bine in mocking the caution employed in its favour.
(PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE.)
MADRID, FEB. 15.—General Sarsfield has suddenly set out
from Talavera, for Valencia d'Alcantara. The cause of this de-
parture has been discovered by a plan of desertion which em-

a The Marquis and Marchioness of Chaves have retired from
Braga : according to all appearance, the Rebels retire by Lindo
to Galicia.—Lisbon Gazette.

braced not less than a battalion of provincial militias and a
squadron of horse chasseurs of the guard, who were cantoned in
the city of Rosas. General Rodil discovered the plot, and al-
though the execution of it was stopped in time, till now it is the
only discovery made throughout the line. The Government is
greatly alarmed, for all the troops are persuaded they are going
to fight the battle of the Monks, and therefore are very much dis-
contented. As to the Maintenance of peace between Portugal and
Spain, both countries are preparing for t it ; and if it does not
break out immediately, the reason is, that events have taken
them rather unawares; and the exchange of diplomatic notes is
nothing more than time reciprocally granted to prepare for the
exchange of cannon shot.
At length the levying of 24,000 men has been published in the
Gazette of to-day. It contains a diminution of two years' ser-
vice in favour of each of the helv recruits. The term is thus re-
duced to six years. This is joined to a number of other conces-
sions, to soften the had effect which it is reported this publication
will produce in the public mind.

The Comptroller-General of the Finances has just received or-
ders to pay to the Jesuits the sums due to them for the revenues of
such of their ancient property as hare been adjudged to the State.
These Reverend Fathers, who have re-opened almost all their old
schools, increase their power with such great rapidity, that in a
dozen years we must expect to see them as formidable as they were
at their expulsion under the Count Aranda. An attempt has just
been made to excite the Fauxbourgs of Madrid. The Apostolicals,
in their Proclamations, published for this purpose, pretended a de-
claration of war on the part of England.

(From the Journal des Debats of Monday.)
MADRID, Fan. 15.—(Private Correspondence. )—I informed
you some time ago, that very considerable sums, which were said
to come from France, had been disembarked at St. Buder, and
had been frnmediately addressed to the Portuguese Rebels ; and I
add now, that a similar disembarkation has just taken plate, and
that the sums disembarked amount, it is said, to 12 millions of
reale. I will also tell yon, that the commercial paper on all places
in Gailicia, and even Old Castile,commencing with Salamanca, has
come into great demand, and this can arise from nothing else than
the effect of sending thither foods to the Marquess de Chaves,
who, according to the general opinion, will not remain above a
fortnight on our territory.