The Sun.
London, England, 1842-02-26 00:00:00

duty. :He thought it was for the public advantage
that, there should be no apprehension respecting the continu-
ance of protection to agriculture.—( Tory cheers.) But at
the same time he thought that protection which he purposed
to afford was amply sufficient. With respect to the manner
of taking- the averages, he thought that the mode which he
proposed would diminish the facilities of fraud, but if he found
upon further exam nation that it would have a tendency to en-
crease the amount of protection, he would adopt some means
(as we understoo ) of obviating that tendency.— ( Hear, hear. )
lie thought that in preparing a measure of this sort, it was ne-
cessary for a Minister to be secret until he had made up his
mind as to the exact course he should pursue —(Laughter.)
There was only one other point on which he wished to trouble
the House. It was admitted by Honourable Gentlemen en
the opposite side, that the price of corn would be greatly re•
duced by this measure. They had shown that two million
quarters might be imported at 455., and that a demand of one
million would ensure an equivalent importation at a low rate.
Honourable Gentlemen had shown that from 1,500 to 2,000,000
could be imported at the price.—( Hear, hear.)
After.a few words from Mr. C. WOOD, in explanation,
Sir R. PEEL said that he had taken down the numbers
immediately, and he certainly thought. he ha.-1 so stated them.
It really was very difficult to draw inferences from opinions he
received as to what the effect of the measure might be, Lut he
only asked Gentleman on the other side, now that the heat of
the debate was over, to apply to the consideration of the details
of the measure. He asked Hon. Gentlemen who were dis-
satisfied to remember that in making so great an alteration—
an alteration that greatly affected the agricultural interest—it
was impossible to please all parties. The miller came to him
and complained that the measure he had proposed would cause
a great importation of foreign corn, and would be an increased
inducement to parties to introduce flour instead of wheat. The
barley growers said he was about to injure them, and the tjowers
of oats also complained; he rusted, however, that they would
bear with him a little, and if they did, he felt no doubt that
he should be able to vindicate the scale he had
proposed. He believed the measure he had proposed
would have the effect of regulating trade, and from the com-
munications he had received, he was strongly inclined to think
that ultimately the moderation and good sense of the agrit.ul-
tural interest would prevail, and it would be admitted that his
proposition was a great improvement on the existing law, and
would meet with very general support.--(llear, hear.) He
would conclude by expressing again a hope that in discussing
the details of the plan he had proposed they would lay aside all
party asperities.
Sir D. ROCHE made a few observations, which were in-
audible in the Gallery ; after which the Committee divided,
when there appeared—
For the original Motion 306
Against it lO4
Majority --202
On our return to the gallery, we found
Mr. BULLER about to submit his amendment to the
Committee.
Sir R. PEEL said the Hon. Gentleman was in a position to
propose a reduction of duty, but no increase of duty then.
Mr. HAVES said he hoped his Hon. Friend would not
press his motion. It was quite clear that there was a decided
majority against any alteration of this scale—( Hear, hear)—
and he therefore thought it would be utterly vain to press the
motion.
Mr. BULLER said if it was the desire of the House,
he would not press his motion. It seemed to be the wish of
the other side of the House.—(No, no.) He would there-
fore postpone his motion, and brir g it forward at sow e future day.
After a slight conversation between Sir R. PaEL and Mr.
BULLER, the motion was postponed.
The House then resumed.
The CHAIRMAN reported progress, and obtained leave tr
sit again.
The other orders being then disposed of, the House ad-
journed at One o'Clock, till Monday.

COVENT GARDEN THEATRE.
A new comedy in five acts, under the title of Bubbles of
the Day, was brought out last night at this theatre. It is
from the practised pen of Mr. Douglas Jerrold, and hears
tokens of its paternity in every scene. The plot, as is generally
the case with this gentleman's dramas, is exceedingly compli •
cated, and it is difficult to follow its numerous turns and wind-
ings ; so far, however, as we could ascertain, it is something to
the following effect. Mr. Spreadweas-1 (Bartley), a rich old
huncks, who has risen from small beginnings to a station of
considerable respectability, pays a visit to the chamber of a
briefless young barrister, by name Melon (Walter Lacy), who
has been betrothed from early childhood to his daughter,
Pamela (Mrs. Nisbett). 'i%hile waiting at his intended son-
in-law's chambers, Spreadweasel unexpectedly falls in with
Lord Skindeep, M.P. (Mr. Farren), who after having some con-
versation with him, and hearing from another party that the old
fellow is rich, invites him to his house to dinner—an invitation
which Spreadweasel cordially accepts, having a high idea of
the honour of an acquaintance with a Lord. A sense of mutual
interest increases the intimacy between the parties, and ulti-
mately Lord Skindeep is induced to offer himself as a son•in-
law to the old man. This offer is gladly accepted ; but as his
Lordship, knowing Spreadweasel's matter-of-fact notions of
business, is afraid of being asked awkward questions touchirg
his fortune, Jointure, and so forth, he endeavours to prevail on
Pamela to elope with him in a carriage and four. The
shrewd girl consents apparently to this proposal, though she
has no intention of carrying out the project, being attached to
a young M.P., Chatham Brown (J. Vining). The scheme
is therefore artfully, though as if accidentally, frustrated,
and while his Lordship is lamenting his disappointment, he
arras that Pamela has united herself to the MU. P. ; and that
Melon has taken, for better for worse, Flolentia (Mrs. Walter
Lacy) the neice of a conceited authoress, Mrs. Quarto (Mrs.
W. -West), who is distantly related to Lord Skindeep. To in-
crease the vexation both of his Lordship and Spreadweasel
at this sudden frustration of their schemes, the for-
mer discovers a long-neglected son in the person
of a clever, scheming, London adventurer, Captain
Smoke (C. Matthews), vihom he is compelled publicly to ac-
knowledge as his natural child; and Spreadweasel at the same
time makes the discovery that the girl whom Lord Skindeep
had seduced and deserted years before, is no other than his own
sister, who had died under the roof of a heartless miser, Malm-
sey Shark (Meadows), by whose means these strange disco-
veries are brought to light. Ultimately, all parties are reel:in •
riled, and at the fall of the curtain they are—to use a hacknied
expression--" as well as can be expected." Such is a
sight hasty sketch of a plot, which is certainly by
no means remarkable either for simplicity, or clearness
of construction, or skill of development. By way of episode,
we have certain love-passages between Sir Phoenix Charcake

( Harley), Alderman of the City of London, and Florentia, to
whom he was betrothed, hut who resolves to have nothing to
do with him, her resolution being quickened, not only by her
attachment to Melon, but also by her having found out that,
under the alias of Major Loo, the Alderman had endeavoured
to corrupt the virtue of her own lady's-maid (Mrs. Orger)
when she was residing at a finishing academy at
Brixton. The characters of the comedy are cleverly
and broadly defined—especially those of Skiiideep, Spread-
weasel, and Malmsey Shark the first is a mock-philanthro-
pist, one who is always canting about his benevolence and his
" love of his species," while at heart he is the most selfish and
egotistical of beings. In working out this portrait, Mr. Jer-
rold made several bitter, sarcastic hits at that spurious humanity
and maudlin tenderness, which are so often mistaken for real
philanthropy. Spreadweasel is a shrewd, ordinary man
of business ; and here, too, the author was very effective
in his delineation. But Malmsey Shark, the usurer, he
has pourtrayed to the life. A truer, more spirited,
or more caustic sketch than this, exists not in the
modern drama. Not a feature in the portrait but seemed as
though it were copied direct from some living original. As
regards the females, Pamela is a clever, lively girl, with a dash
of the hoyden about her, Mrs. Quarto a tiresome she-pedant,
and Florentia a mere boarding-school Miss. The wit of the
play is excellent. Indeed the comedy is studded with it, like
Harlequin's dress with spangles. There is not, to be sure, the
light, buoyant animal spirits that dance through London Assur-
ance : but there is far more strength and nerve in the dialogue—
more meaning and caustic practical shrewdness and point, in the
constant play of the satire. Indeed we know of no living dra••
matist who throws so much signiticarce—we might almost say,
wisdom--into his wit and sarcasm as Mr. Jerrold. Some of his
jokes remind us of the cynical, sententious aphorisms of Rouch-
foucault. They will bear consideration, and not only tickle
the midriff, but make an irresistible appeal to the understand-
ing. The acting was admirable, with scarcely an excep-
tion, unless it be that Mrs. West as Mrs. Quarto was rather
too boisterous in her vivacity, and scattered about her pearls
with too much em•ehasis of manner. Mrs. Nisbet kept the
house in a state of uproarious laughter while she was describ-
ing the humours of an election for the town of Longborough;
and Mathews evinced more ease, and tact, and self-possession
than he has yet shown. Farren played wi h his usual skill and
care, ,nd enunciated his Joseph Surface. like sentiments with
exceeding unction. Harley made the most of an indifferent
part, and Bartley made an unimpeachable man of business, ex-
hibitingjust as much heart as usually falls to the lot of your dry,
hard, grasping old codgers, who feel persuaded that they
are sent into the world for no higher or worthier ob-
ject than to scrape together no matter by what
means—as much money as they possibly can. The scenery was
in excell?nt taste ; and the play was announced for repetition,
amid deafening acclamations from all parts of the house. It cer-
tainly requires curtailment 9 • and when this is judiciously ef-
fected, we have no doubt that it will have a run. At the close
of the comedy, Mr. Jerrold was loudly called for, and made
his appearance on the stage, in an evident flutter of excitement.
The audience welcomed him with shouts of applause—a tribute
of respect, which is no more than his due, for his comedy is a
production which the ablest dramatist of the age might be
proud to acknowlecge.