The Sun.
London, England, 1842-05-10 00:00:00

kerontil.Zdttitton

SUN OFFICE Three o'Cloch.

We are glad to find that many journals directly op-
posed to the principles of the Chartists strongly and em-
phatically condemn the decision of the House of Com-
mons in refusing to hear their grievances at its bar.
The House assumes the right to tax the people ; to,
make laws to regulate their conduct throughout life ; to
restrict the quantity, and keep up the price, of their
food ; to compel them to shed their blood by land and
sea, at Ole pleasure of any Minister who chooses to
plunge the nation into unholy wars ; but when millions
of tlom raise their untuned voices and rugged bawls
against oppressions which they can no longer endure,
they are insolently told that Parliament has no time to
waste in listening to them. First among the journals,
not strictly political, which have treated the refusal of
the House of Commons to hear the complaints of the
poor in the most enlarged and Christian spirit, may be
classed the True Tablet. From an able article we quote
the following
Sir Robert Peel, indeed, like a good guardian of the public
time—he is a timepiece in more senses than one—cannot hear
of such an obstacle being thrown in the way of the due de-
spatch of public business. Good Sir Robert, pray tell us, if
you can, what business can properly be called public, if this is
not entitled to the name. We protest we know of none. The
distresses and sufferings of the lower glasses are emphatically
the public business of the day. There is none more important,
none more urgent, none for which it is so important to secure
an early hearing, in order to settle with regularity now what, if
left unsettled now, may have to be adjusted with a most un-
pleat:ant irregularity afterwards. Public business forsooth !
The necessities of a sixth of the population, who complain that
they want bread, that you govern them ill, and have no feel-
ing for their sufferings—depend upon it, in any honest dic-
tionary, in any language under the sun, heathen or Christian,
these matters come under the definition of public business.
The man who cannot get on with the public business if he
attends to these matters, is very I ke the man who couldn't see
the wood for the trees. Public business, indeed ! The time
will come when the Members of the Honourable and Right.
Honourable Houses will most bitterly regret that they have
not, both in their individual and their legislatorial capacities,
devoted a great deal inure time to this department cf public
business.
We are entirely of this opinion. Should it never
conic the termination will be more dreadful still ; for
the crash w;l1 be sudden, and so conclusive, that there
—will- be no room for regret—no time for repentance.
And
yet in the teeth of the vote of 'Tuesday night, the
Tory end Whig statesmen, as they flatteringly call
thmnselve*, would have the country believe that they
think of nothing,,,but
_how- best to govern the people.
They add hypoerisy.,to f,alsehood, anOiy presuming to
uniterstand tile riaveni es-of the people better than
thnmselves, insolence to both. In- what 'estithation' re.
fleeting men of Libera!, but not of Iladkal polities, are
very generally beginning to hold the Right Hon. Mernhur
for E linburgh, may be f;atilVq.C.l fronr the following ex-
truer. from the clever, Journal above quoted. We can
tl,4tir,_, Mr. MAcAuLlv's supporters that the True Tabi,
e:cpia-,F.ses a very :.,.;,,neral growing coovicrion ri?specti,;:„:
the public character of that P.i.;-Itt lion. Elnlyargh Re

YieWer :
Little as we like the adverse decision of the House on Tuesday
night, we disapprove far mare stt ongly of the reasons on whir;
theivote leas groundeJ. The spokesman of the House in this
affair—the orator who made it his husiness to find both parties
in argumen:s—the philesoper who tiodertnok the arduou,
labour of Membea nil a rlausillie theory oil
h:o act—was Mr. 'Macaulay. We cor.fess to Laving iiii-
sitlstrabie 'repossession in favour of this gentietri u, and marl'
reas nal spcaking of bins vs ith good will. We always
his srfreechs a and his wsitinga with interest, and very often wi h
profit and advantage. But with this, we mast say, that the I
snore we see of hit-a in the House of a ornmons flit; less does sate
confidence in his statesmanship become. Ito is a peat rhetot -
tiros, a great theorist, but, we are sadly afraid, a somewhat. slip-
pery politizhin. We tits not mean by these expressions to charne
him with anything like positive or personal dishonesty—far frora
we caunot get it out of our m;itd that he is a man Min
has no Pith on any political question vs ll.Aever. He may have
a s4rung opinion that such and such conclusions are sound or
unsnund ; but he teems ti have u i fit to conviction of the im-
p .runtee of the conclusions themselves. Ile views politics as a
game ; he haramsues ae an advocate ; and he makes it his host-
nese to cover whatever patition his friends may occupy with a
forme of dzzzhng sophistry. But a hat is it that injures hint
to take a part in the game of politics at all? Ambition, un.
tnubtedly ; nor, as we think, an essentially dishonest ambition.
What detetmines him to adopt the Liberal, or Whig side ;rs
polities is, we firmly believe, an hottest conviction. But where •
are his sympathies? Who.° appliuse does he value ? What
is liSs pubt;c? We answer that there is about him, afar Ls we
can eiseover, a hard intellectual pride, in which, as in a coat of
assail, he wraps himself agiost the approaches of common men.
Ile desires the opplause of cotes-lea who term h's public ; and
his sympathies' ate not with the wasses,not with she poor, not.
with the uneducated, but with the better-infora ed men of
Isis own class. Ile cannot imicut.ify Mussed' with them.
A certain degfee of consideration from the poorer class is
necessary to enable him to keep4sis seat, ant lie strives to earn
it; but his efforts in this kin! appear, not dishonest, hut
laboured—task work, uncongenial to his taste. In spouting
ingenious tin cries, clothed its a brilliant rhetoric, he is in Its
true element. But though, we dare say, warm-heat ted enough
in his domestic relations, he has not the soul to be a great
statesman and to win the confidence of the poor. He does not,
and he cannot, bear the poor in Isis heart always; they are a
weight too burdensome for hilts ; but he patronizes them, and,
like a god, would condescendingly shower benefits upon tin m
out of a higher sphere (ban theirs. lie cares for them, we
doubt not ; but he could not love them, live with them, anti t
is
for them. For anything we know he might die rather than do
a dishonourable action; he might be a martyr to duty, but not
to the poor. We question much whether he would step two
yards over the limits of compelled duty to do them a hazardous
service. Such is the man who was put forward by the Wltigs
to oppose "the people's petition."

The Archbishop of PARIS and the Dignitaries of the
• French Church are laudably exerting themse.ves at pre-
sent to obtain the consent of the KING and Government
for a better observance of Sunday. While we have con-
stantly blamed Sir ANDIZEW AGNEW and Co. fur their
meddling interference with other people's affairs, and
their foolish attempts to prevent every kind of harmless
recreation on that day, we view in a very different light
the conduct of the clergy of France. One day in the
weak set apart fur religious and moral instruction, and
also fur rest front laborious operations, has been found
of great benefit to mankind. It tends to humanize
the mind, gives relief to the monotonous employment
of the week, and grants to hard-a orking artisans and la-
bourers of almost every description, one •i.iy in the seven
witch they can call their own. In this country the
lower-classes generally obtain relief trout their task-mas-
ters on Sunday, but in France the practice is totally dif-
ferent. Carpenters, masons, smiths, shopkeepers, and
others, fur a great portion of the day, carry on their
trades as during the rest of the week; it is the great day
for mustering and reviewing the National Guard, for
presenting addresses to the SOVEREIGN or public func-
tionaries; for frequenting theatres and other places of
public amusement, and little time therefore is left for
reading or religious duties. To put an end to
this anomaly, therefore, in France, as compared with
most other countries, is the object of the present move-
ment on the part of the clergy, and were they to confine
their application to the Sovereign for the due observance
of the Sunday alone, we have little doubt that they would
accomplish their purpose, with the general consent of
the public. The Archbishop, however, goes considerably
farther, and expresses a hope that at no distant period it
it will be possible " for the Government to put an end
to public labour on the days consecrated to God, and
that, influenced by the example of the Court, these sa-
cred days will be respected by all Frenchmen." This
is attempting too much, and possibly may frustrate the
whole plan. The history of France furnishes but too
immy instances of the encroaching, selfish, and
wicked disposition of the priesthood, and should
suspicion be excited that plans are in agita-
tion for restoring this body to their former power
and inflgence over King and people, a universal outcry
would be raised against them. Not satisfied with the
observance of one day in the week, the clergy appear
anxious to have all the festivals of the Church placed on
the same footing. The KING had the good sense, how-
ever, to refuse this portion of the request, and to giv.i a
significant reply to the address of the tenPrela by
countenancing the non-observance of hol T y rs-
day, and employing workmen on that day for re-
pairing the palace of St. Cloud. We have not
asmrtained the KING'S sentiments regarding the be-
canting observance of Sunday, but it can hardly fail to
meet with his cordial approbation. Example, however,
in an affair of this kind, would be better than precept,
and were the Court to lead the way the people would f'ol-
- without compulsion or legislative enactment.
Any attempt to legislate on the suajt et would be littal.
The folly of the Agnewites here has been so outrageous,
that it would be held up to the people of France as a
sufficient cause for rejecting the measure at once.

We have Madrid Journals of the Ist inst. The
young QUEEN on that (Ly was to give a grand dimer
to her uncle, FaaNctsco DE PAULO: of whose removal
from the Capital nothing is now sail. Should thai
Prince conduct himself with discretion, there will be
no necessity for his removal from the Calltal ; but lit
has an ill adviser in his wife, the INFANTA DONN
C ARLOTTA, one of.:,he most inveterate political rs
in Europe. T ten times Princess would be . 'Lore
dangerous than she really is but for her violence o,
temper, which can hroo:: no contradiction.
The Spanish Daputies arc occupied with the Bill c,r
• ranting a 1-1.. w loan of 160 iniliions of real,.. :_-;o many
amendments were offered upon the Bill, that it ‘,ll',
expected the debates upon it would last a fortnight.
The Expectador, a MaCr:d Ministerial Journal, rept-
diates the idea of the Five Great Powers unbrolting tt
dispose of the hand of the young Queen of SPAIN. T11;3

journal is perfectly right. The marriage of the young
QUEEN is strictly a question within the province of the
Spanish Government.
The insurrection of the 2d of May, 1808, against the
French, was ordered by the Municipality of Madrid to be
celebrated with great pomp. The families of the victims
who perished on that memorable occasion were invited
to attend.

On the Bourse on the 31st ult. three bargains were done in
the Three per Cents. for 23i at 60 days, with i premium, and
17 in the Five per Cents., with 11 coupons, for 26a 27 at 20
days, and 281/2 % at 60 days, with i premium.

There is not much news in the French journals of
Sunday. The Government was busily employed sifting
the details of the conspiracy discovered in the capital on
Thursday and Friday, for killing the KING. The news-
papers say little upon the subject, Ministers wisely re-
solving to make no unnecessary noise about the affair.
Now that the walls are in progress, the less that is
said about crimes so enormous the better. Nothing is
more dangerous than to familiarise the public mind with
the possible commission of such an enormity as the
murder of a Sovereign.
The ensemble of the first article of the Railway Bill
has been adopted by the Chamber of Deputies. It esta-
blishes the following lines :-
1. From Paris to the Belgian frontiers.
2. From Paris to the Channel.
3. From Paris to the frontiers of Germany, by Nancy, and
Strasbourg.
4. From Paris to the Mediterranean, by Lyons, Marseilles,
and Cette.
5. From Paris to the frontiers of Spain, by Tours, Bor-
deaux, and Bayonne.
6. From Paris to the Ocean, by Tours and Nantes.
7. From Paris to the centre of France, by Bourges.
8. From the Mediterranean to the Rhine, by Lyons, Dijon,
and Mulhausen.
9. And lastly, from the Mediterranean to the Ocean, by
Toulouse and Bordeaux.
The French Government has authorised the establish-
ment of several nunneries of Sisters of Mercy and Sisters
of St. Theresa, who devote themselves to the education
of the poor and rich. The following are extracts from
the French Journals

The tailor in whose house the incendiary bombs were seized
in named Orit. The number of persons arrested is twenty•-
two. Among them is said to be Piegard, who was condemned
for the affair of the Rue des Prouvaires, and pardoned.
M. Jourdain, she examining Judge, continues the investiga-
tion into the affair. _ . __.....

'I he Commerce publishes a letter from a Captain Williams,
dated Havre, the 6th instant, complaining of the conduct of a
collector at Sydney, New South Wales, in having seized a
French whaler, called the Ville de Bordeaux, under the pre-
tence that she had violated some local regulations. The let-
ter further states, that " the British Government offered to
restore the ship, on condition that the owner paid the expenses
of the capture. The owner refused, and brought an action
against the English Government." The action is pending,
but " the owner says he expects no redress unless a French
ship of war be sent on the station."
The Phare says—" rue accounts which we receive, by pri-
vate letters from Catalonia, are rather serious. On the tthth
there was a disturbance in the Theatre of Barelona ; seditious
cries were uttered. On the following day there was some agi-
tation in the city; the Captain-General, Van Halen, had
thought it necessary to double the posts, and to take other mea-
-sures'to-piessentany disorder. The-cause of all these demon-
sttatians is said• to, he a, letter which ;11. Villavreguls 3 ept ty to
the Coi-ltes, is reportisd to have written to his constituents, to
aequant them with his apprehensions respecting the Treaty of
Commerce with England ; the preponderance of that power in
Spain, and the credit which M. Arlen enjoys at Madrid, makes
the Deputy fear that it will be speedily signed. All these re-
ports, which sensible people consider to be exaggerated, make
a surprising impression on the mass of the people. Already
sew, al manufactories at Manresa and Borr,a are closed. The
workmen are discontinued."

The Barcelona Journals of the Ist of May, announce, in fact,
that for the last two days energetic measures of precaution hail
been taken to prevent any disturbance.— Commerce.
The Tree per Cents. were done at toe Cafe Anglais on Sun-
day for 821. 17,1 c.
DUTCH IC NOS.—AMSTERDAM. MAY ti.
Mont,. Hills.
Actual Dsbt, '2.A per Cent
jitto, ditto 5 pel ee,t.
A. in,i t SviiiVe,4j.y per ewe ,-)3,41 ,:).X
mtvi, ,Otto, 3!:1 per cent '77'. ;1,,11i
Commercial Comisany, .5,,, per cent l-4K 55
[Mtn, (1,7,35 and 1537) 5 per cent. .. ' Joy, VW%
Loan P 37, 5 i•er cent.. O9 014,
hichatige on LOlltit9l, One month l'2 1•.”, i,
Two months
llamburgh, One month 25 3114
Two months • s 5 12X,
Dutch Papers, May 7.
t. 1.4.3 IA N st. UtoDs—BRIT,SELS, MAY 7.
actual Licht, at per Cent.
lietl!scbild'i Loan, b per C—ii,
Lean ol Thirtl Millions, A per Cent. l.-3!ii
.... 3 per Cent.

Thirty.fu

(I
Lu:ln of City, pv: Cur, `a!y
Socitty of Comms.ree, 4!,,,per Cent. tti
Bank of Belgium, L in; r Cent ............. 7'3
National Sg.cit:ty
Exchaug c on 1,011(1.ki (110! t)
—Brussels :Papers. May 7.
AUSTItIAN FUNDS.—VtuNNA, Amt. 2.9.
f Iveper Costs. Metalliques
Four per Cent 5............... ....... .................. 5;904
Three pr Cents.
Balk Zhares ...................

Punuc-uouSES BlLL.—This Bill, which was brought
in by Captain 'nous, contained some useful clauses, both
for the public and the publicans. By one of the elnuses
public-houses were to be open after one o'clock on Sun-
day, so that tradesmen and others who go to the cotta
try in the afternoon might have refreshment at any hour.
Thu Home Secretary referred the Bill to the Commis-
sioners of Police. They, of course, made a Report, and
the consequence is, that every improvement proposed has
bee:: rejected. The Bill has passed through Committee,
and is now a mere skeleton. The hotels and public-
houses for fifteen miles round London will be shut be-
tv. een three and five o'clock as before, while beyond that
range there is no restriction whatever. Have not the
people iu the country good reason for dreading the ap-
proach of the New Police ?