The Sun.
London, England, 1842-06-11 00:00:00

'g'' tronb_2l-Tittion

SUN OFFICE Three o'clock.

A Cabinet Council was held suddenly and unexpectedly
yesterday. We have good reason to believe that it was
held in consequence of some very unpleasant, not to
say alarming intelligence, which yesterday morning
reached the Home-office from the manufacturing dis-
tricts. The Income-tax Bill was read a second
time in silence last night in the House of Lords,
and it is said that one strong motive for
postponing all observations on so delicate a matter just
now, of which Noble Lords on both sides were con-
vinced, was the dread of saying anything which might
add to the excitement and alarm which exists in various
parts of the country. Our information goes to
the effect that • something like consternation has
been excited ?a the Cabinet, not only on account
of w.bat has already happened, but of what is plainly
seen to be unavoidable. Letters from Manchester and
other manufacturing districts; are written in a most de.
sponding tone ; there is no hope of improvement ; the
soup kitchens are besieged' with hungry applicants for
relief ; who congregate about them before it is • day-
Ugh f, to get, if possible, something to eat ;
white the hungry masses have given it plainly to be un-
derstood that they would rather be sabred by the sol-
diery—if needs must—then die of hunger, which they
have declared they will not do if they can help
it. Manchester, and the other manufacturing towns
abound in Irish, and sonic apprehension is felt of the
possible effect on them of the riots and loss of life at Ennis.
They are a lively, sympathetic race, and when they learn
that several of thtir countrymen have there been shot by the
police, who are said to have fired without orders, their hun-
ger may be sharpened by indignation, and the peace of the
country be endangered. From Glasgow we are told that
'the accounts of the destitution of the people exceed all
and that on a Life occasion;' when ' charitable
'gentleman distributed- amongst them a few loaves,
they could be likened to nothing but a band of hungry
wolves seizing a very insufficient prey. GOD protect the
.commonwealth ! for our rulers, we greatly fear,
drive the people to desperation.

The business of the,,Sessfon I.; evidently drawing to a
&i.e. No debateable question. of importance remains,
• excepting,' perhaps, the renewal of the Poor-law. Sir
JZOnEUTPEEL has resolved to commence public business
.at half-past four (Mock every day. Orders of the Day
are to have precedence on Tuesdays. Saturday is to be
added to'the number of working days ; every symptom
betokens agsiduity and dispatch, and in all probability,
• therefore, Parliament will be prorogued by the second,
at latest, the third week of next month. This is a
judicious regulation, both as regards the convenience of
..llembers, and the passing of important measures. For
many sessions one-half of the public business was
dispatithed in house's with all but empty benches; sporting
ltfembers bad gone to the Moors, travelling Members
-to the Continent ; and a few 'Secretaries of. State,
their Sub-Secretaries, and some dozen workirg
indefatigable legislators, were left to bring up the nu—
:•acrous and generally important arrears. It is gratify..
ing to find thnt the Opposition, too, approve of the new
system, for,Mr. suggested that as no business had
been done on I:hursday for two weeks, orders should
have precedence on that day also, and the suggestion
met with general approbation. We trust Members will
.• carry eat the plan still farther, and put an end
at once to useless ()position to the new tariff. By-
protracting discussion they only keep the public
mind in a state of anxiety, without serving any one
good putpos.) Sir HOBERT PEEL has made up his
mind on this ineaFure, at least for one year. He admits
- that seine of the duties, such ss.those on wool and cot-
' ton, are objectionable, but pleads poverty as an ex•
coat) for retaining them; and we may therefore conclude,
ii he finds himself richer next year, that he will give us
Tore reductions on raw materials, and perhaps also on
sugar. • The Tariff Bill is his cork; he is responsible for
it ; epd opposition to it is vain, the sooner it becomes
Oki law of the hlcil the bkitig. ,This is the general opinion
• Throughout the country. MI persons engaged in trade
'`are-anxious to have the question Set at rest, and those
who throw obstacles in the way only injure commerce,
• without the chance of producing the slightest beneficial