The Sun.
London, England, 1842-02-01 00:00:00

TAlrs MAGAZINE.

This Magazine never reached us last month,
and we missed it not a little, for it is pretty sure to
contain some shrewd,vigorouspolitical wri ting,and
not unfrequently some pleasing snatches of verse,
by way of contrast and relief. The Number now
lying on our table opens with some speculations
on the " Next Move of the Reformers," who are
strenuously exhorted to union, as the only means
whereby they can make an impression on the
vast Tory force banded against them. Speaking
of the Corn-laws, "if ever public opinion," says
the writer, " was decidedly expressed on any one
point, it is at this juncture against the Corn-laws,
and for their instant repeal. The array of moral
force, the justice and wisdom of the measure, and
the urgent necessity of allaying the alarming dis-
contents of the famishing millions, must have
some influence even with the Monopolists; and
yet we greatly fear that the prayers of the Peo-
ple will be, if not openly scouted, then eluded,
and finally refused. The aspect of the people of
Britain at this moment more resembles that of
the Americans at the breaking out of the Revo-
lutionary war than anything in the recent history
of political movements in this country. There
was great enthusiasm—hearty, honest enthusiasm
—for the Reform Bill ; but that movement, if

intense, was much less comprehensive than the
present agitation." There is but too much truth
in these remarks, howeVer unpalatable they may
be to the Tories. " Thoughts on Anniversaries"
sets out with some truisms respecting the natural,
but scarcely confessed disinclination which mid-
dle-aged gentlemen have to keep anniversaries,
and their tendency to look ou them as " imperti-
nent reminiscences." In this essay, the writer
alluding incidentally to the immortal Don Quix-
otte, speaks of him as being " the most respecta-
ble fool on record." It is not in this light that
the generality of readers regard the chivalrous
Knight of La Mancha; and sure we are that
Cervantes never intended that his finest charac-
ter should be that of " a fool." "He shall be a
Soldier" is a tale whose scene is laid in Prussia.
It is penned with spirit and even elegance.
" Catlin's North American Indians" is a review
that does justice to the merits of a very entertain-
ing publication. From the " Songs of the
Months" we select a fanciful little poem, entitled
" The Song of February :" •
Weave, weave me a chaplet that's meet for my tears.
Woe is me—woe is me—woe is me !
Weave, weave me a chaplet. The Vernal sprite hears :
tj_"'te snow-drop, the crocus, the starwort appears ;
The .liellebore waited to see me and die, •

And .sweet polyanthus peeps up at the sky ;
So weave me a chaplet :—Uut why should I wear

The emblems of gladness ? My 'heart is all bare
To the sleet:- and the tempest, and cold as the moor

Where shivers and shakes the poor child of the boor.
..
Submerged are the pastures,—the shepherds complain,.
Clouds cover the mountains,—fast patters the ra in,—
am wayward and weary, what can I• but mourn ?
Woe is me—woo is me--woe is me I
- Bleak demt,Nas possess me,
They hoo:( round my walls ;
No festivals biless me, •
No mirth in WY halls :
i)aste to the bourne,—
My days will be skortened, I.
Woe is me—woe is me—w.kx' is me I

What so painful as pleasure to hes,'ts that bewail ?
Woe is me—woe is me—woe is itie!
In the sky there is splendour—moths syangle the vale
There is song in the woodlands, and joy in the gale ;
There is life in the waters—there's warmth' on the hill ;
The robin forsakes me—the tit's at the rill ;

The noisy rook waketh the hoary-faced morn
The plover returneth—the sheep leave The corn:.
But wherefore this rapture ? My wet weeds will bring
Back the wild winds of winter; thou mockest me, Spr:,og%
Though thy voice fills the air in the tardy noon-shine,
Dun morning and evening still echo but mine.
If I breathe, thy fair blossoms are icy and dead,—
Woe is me—woe is me—woe is me !
They pass from the meadows
Like hope that deceives,
Ere dance to their shadows
The merry green leaves.
Fit emblems to furnish my premature bed.
Woe is me—woe is me-woe is me !

PARLIAMEN7'44ItV AND NEWSPAPER LIST.
Clarke and Lewis, of .Crown-court, Thread-
needle-street, have published a very useful work
with this title. It is in one large sheet, and con-
tains the following lists :—Members of the House
of CoMmons in the second Parliament of Queen
Victoria, diStinguishing the politics of the Mem-
bers, by printing, the names of the Conservatives
in blue, and the Liberals in red ; an analysis of
m i
the House of Co
mons, n which are given the
numbers of the respective parties for the coun-
ties and boroughs, with the total number of each
in the House; a complete list of the newspapers
published in the United Kingdom, distinguishing

PVIINING- SUN

their political character by the same colours,
and marking those of a neutral character in
black; together with a statement of the num-
ber of stamps issued to each, and the amount
of advertisement-duty paid during the year
ending the Ist of January, 1841. This table is
well printed, and, owing to the variety of colours,
presents a very beautiful appearance. It will be
found very convenient for reference, as the in-
formation under the different heads may be ascer-
tained at once with the utmost facility. The
new feature in the present edition is.the *division
of the newspapers into their several counties,
and the total amount of advertisement-duty paid
by the different publications for twelve months.
This information, added to that which at first
characterised this publication, renders this edi-
tion a perfect guide to the Newspaper Press of
the -United Kingdom.

THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM
AND THE CORN-LAWS.

- - - -
CHRONICLE.—It was impossible to mistake the
portentous . look of Sir James Graham yesterday when
he entered the Court of Chancery, and by his hurried
and mysterious communication so disturbed the equani-
mity of the Noble Lord who was presiding. Then the
anxious conversation between the Attorney and Solicitor-
General—there was no longer a doubt. The Duke of
Buckingham had resigned. The fact is even so. The
Duke of Buckingham has resigned. This is the first prac-
tical application of the sliding scale—one of its most im-
portant members has slid out of "The United Cabinet."
Although the Noble Duke's resignation was generally
known in town last evening, and talked of in the clubs,
yet a day or two must elapse before it is possible to
estimate accurately its effect. As Sir Robert Peel's
colleagues hive begun to slide away, there is no saying
how far they may. carry it, or how many may slide off,
one by one, in imitation of the Duke, until the Premier
is left like a solitary pivot by himself. One word to the
farmers. Do not just yet give your "friend" too much
credit for disinterestedness. The Ministerial journals
announced yesterday that "the Duke of Buckingham
was to have the vacant blue riband." If Sir Robert Peel
is going to make such a change in the Corn-laws as
compels the Duke of Buckingham to resign, and if upon
the very same day his Grace accepts the blue riband,
it will be very difficult, we suspect, to convince the farmers
that their self-styled friend has not " sold" them. Where
is Knatchbull ? Will Lord March still move the address ?

POST. —The most valuable and important classes of
the British people will participate -in the regret with
which we perform the painful duty of announcing that
the Duke of Buckingham has virtually ceased to be a
Member of her Majesty's Government. It was only
yesterday that this termination took place of a discus-
sion which, we believe, had endured for eight or ten
days, between the Noble Duke and the First Lord of the
Treasury, in whose proposed measure upon the subject
of the Corn-law ever member of the Cabinet is under-
stood to concur, with the single exception of his Grace.
This occurrence will be hailed by the opponents_of the
present Administration, both in public hfe and in the
humbler sphere of general society, as eminently propi-
tious to their views ; and, perhaps, the greatest evil con-
nected with it is its tendency to infuse courage, energy,
and unity of, action and purpose, into a political
faction, few of the members of which propose to
themselves any higher object than the recovery of
place. It is our happiness to be enabled to dispel some
of the illusions to which this event, unaccompanied by
any explanations, might have given rise. The Duke of
Buckingham secedes from the Cabinet, not because his
late colleagues are less convinced than his Grace of the
importance of upholding the interests of British agri-
culture, but because his Grace is not so fully convinced
as they are that certain proposed alterations, supposed
to be favourable to British commerce, may be effected
without injury, or the risk of injury, to the agricultural
classes. That no question of principle is involved in
this change of the personnel of her Majesty's Govern-
ment will be evident, when we state that the Duke of
Buckingham, in ceasing to be a member of the present
Administration, continues to be its friend ; and that no
Parliamentary opposition on the part of his Grace is to
be anticipated, except on the specific points of the spe-
cific measure, with respect to which it has been the mis-
fortune of the Cabinet to differ from his Grace. It was
generally supposed yesterday that the Duke of Buc-
cleuch would succeed to the vacant Cabinet office of
Lord Privy Seal.
TIMES.—It was generally rumoured yesterday, in
political circles, that the Duke of Buckingham had
ceased to be connected with the Administration. It will
probably suggest itself to many of our readers that the
retirement of his Grace from office may be attributed, in
some degree, s to the contemplated alterations in the
Corn-laws, to the present system of which his Grace is
warmly attached ; but on this point it will not be pos-
sible to pronounce positively until the measures to be
brought forward in the ensuing Session are disclosed.
That there exists no want of cordiality or sympathy be-
tween the Duke of Buckingham and the members of her
Majesty's Government, may be readily inferred from the
circumstance that one of the two vacant ribands has been
offered to, and accepted by, his Grace.

NORWICH UNION LIFE INSU-
RANCE SOCIETY.
(From the Second Edition of the Norwich Times.)

We had made arrangements to bring out in a Second
Edition, the proceedings taken at the great meeting of
the members of this Society, held yesterday at the As-
sembly Rooms, but the length to which they extended,
compels us to defer our report of them till next week ;
we, however, feel that it is due to our readers to be
immediately put in possession of the result of the meet-
ing, and this is evidenced by the resolutions adopted,
which we insert in another part of our paper. It is im-
possible adequately to convey an impression, of the ardent
determination exhibited by the members, to uphold and
extend this great and important Society, or the feeling
of pride of citizenship, at its originating in our own
old Norwich. To this feeling is probably to be
attributed the total rejection of the bye-laws, and the
resolution to stand on the Constitution of 1808, with the
condition (to which the assent of the Directors was most
cheerfully given) that an annual general meeting of the
members should be held in the month of June, to exhi-
bit the state of the cash accounts. Looking at the high
standing of the Directots of this Society, and the intelli-
gence of its executive officers, we think the determina-
tion come to, to avoid perpetual strife andagitation about
altering the laws, a most wise and judicious resolve.
Although we must defer till next week our Report in
detail, we cannot omit at once putting before the Society
and the public the remarks which fell from the talented.
Secretary, Samuel Bignold, Esq., in acknowledging the
unanimous vote of thanks to him for his services to the
Society. Mr. Bignold observed
At this stage of the meeting, I beg permission to make
a few observations, assuring the members now assem-
bled, how deeply I am sensible of their kindness, in the
honourable testimony this day borne to my character and
integrity, by the flattering vote of thanks now passed.
Engaged in the first formation of this Society, and con-
nected as I have been with its whole history, I claim an
acquaintance with its affairs, snore intimate than per-
haps can be possessed by any other inditvidual; that tho-
rough acquaintance enables "me to assure this meeting,
that of the stability of the Society there can be no ques-
tion, and of its prosperous progress in future there is
the strongest grounds for confidence. Where is its fel-
low in the provincial Institutions of this country,
that can hold out the security of a fund in hand
of 1,700,000 L ? Of a connection for extent and
influence so powerful as that possessed by this Society ?
Of a direction of higher character and probity.? Of
officers and agents more devoted to its best interests ?
These are points on which this Society may bear com-
parison with any in the kingdom. Some persons Allege,
notwithstanding the gratifying fact of 445,0001. already
assigned as bonus, the fund now to assign of upwards
of 220,0001., and the fund retained to meet prospective
expenses of 175,0001., altogether a realization of profit
exceeding 800,0001. in 33 years, that more gains still
should have resulted from this adventure. On this point
I must beg
think lightly of our prosperity But then it is asked, are
leave respectfully to differ from those o
.
there not one or two Societies that have done better
than the Norwich ? To that question my reply will
be, that there is no Society whose legitimate
gains can have exceeded ours, although by a process of
calculation, larger apparent profits may be shown. Would
you wish for perfect stability in all your important trans-
actions, or a sickly prosperity ? An instance occurred
in our own county, of the injury resulting from over-
strained calculations of the value of life. 1 allude to the
Rik culla m Provident Society, which at one period allowed
its annuitants on a scale far too liberal for their funds to
maintain. Facts might justify our assuming a ratio of
mortality, which would place us in a more elevated posi-
tion, but it would be dangerous to the future interests of
the members that we should do so. The points to be
borne in mind as to the Society, are, first its great and
accumulating find, tested in every imaginable way by able
and disinterested parties, and pronounced to be perfectly
safe. No society has undergone the sifting that this has in
every branch of its affairs. The integrity of its capital—
the moderation displayed in computing its profits—
the perfect order and method introduced into its book-
keeping—time curtailment of every expense not abso-
lutely indispensable fimr working the institution, and the
enlisting of able and honourable men as Directors, who
independently govern its atfitirs. It is intended to hold
annual general meetings—to exhibit to distant members,
through the Boards of Management and agents in large
towns, periodical accounts showing the exact state of the
Society, and, in fine, to afford the, strongest grounds for
confidence in the institution, by treating with confidence
all who have an interest in its affairs. I confess I know
of no similar Society that can lay equal claim to pub-
lic support, nor have we cause to complain of the
,‘upport extended to us; for in time last five years all the
Kips in our business, created by deaths, policies sold in,
and policies discontinued, have been supplied, and an
incre.tise on the ;previous great total of premiums has
been secured—those premiums at June, 1836, amounted
to 181,1411.; but at June, 1841, they stood at 184,5494
The only other feature to call for comment, is our
low
rates of preolinms. On the mass of our business we grant,
fOr 90/., that lilt- which most other offices require
paid 100 L—thus enabling persons to securef m
first, a larger reversionary payment, or the nd •
ontage of
a saving of 10/. per cent. during their lives. ot
the

MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE•.-- Last week
and fell
William Richards, a carpenter, working nt Black.
caught his clothes,
wet
Tor-
rington, returning to his locl*ings. late in the. evening,
and cold, wits refused admission for the night, whereupon
of his
he went into the buildings where he was accustomed to
triconu;fithoatitithiattedilyed
work, lighting a fire with chips and shavings,
e .sensible
und.he was so touch burned (before he became ,r(l,,:iiiieonustshietuafi
—Somerset County Gazette. - , the following day.