Star.
London, England, 1827-11-28 00:00:00

THE MAO O. oaAwr AND YOUNG.

Mr. BaouonAst shewed cause against a rule calling on
the defendants, who are conductors of the Sun news-
paper, to shew cause why a criminal information should
not he filed against them for the publication of a libel
on Mr. French, the barrister. The conditional rule
was obtained on the affidavit of Mr. French, which
stated, that heendeavoured, as a banister at law, togain
a livelihood for a wife and seven children ; and he be-
lieved that the publication was made by the defendants
to bring him into contempt and injure him in his pro.
fessinn, as holding him forth to the world a'. a person
suffering under the malady of insanity; whereas he
was not deprived of sanity, nor was he silly or mis-
chievg.us, as described to be. Instead of attacking
every thing decent and respectable in the constitution,
he had the highest veneration for the institutions of the
country, as deriving their origin from the holy apos-
tolic religion of the land, and was an enemy to jaco.
binism. Instead of attacking every thing decent in
the constitution, he bad written a work called " Mu.
nusculum Juventutis," to impress upon British youths
sentiments of sound loyalty and respect for the insti-
tutions of the country, whether raised by Roman
Catholics or Protestants. Mr. French further stated,
that the speech published as the speech delivered by
him at the meeting of the British Catholic Association
was not spoken by him.
Mr. BROUGHAM obser►ed, that the application was
made against the defendants for publishing comments
on the speech of the Learned Gentleman, which cer-
tainly gave him his deserts, and which might be justi-
fied, looking to the language he had used, and which
had offended the public ear, being an outrage to the
feelings of the people of England. Mr. Brougham said
be would read the report of the speech made by Mr.
French, and the comments upon it; but before he did
GO he must observe, that the lion. and Learned Gentle-
man was wrong in supposing the alleged libel imputed
aberration of mind. The, words published by the de-
fendants did not convey that meaning. His clients
denied that they ever meant to make a charge of un-
soundness of mind. It must be allowed by all who
knew the Learned Gentleman, that a more accomplished
Latin scholar had never appeared in this country. The
whole of the observations made by his clients were in
no way calculated to deprive another of the means of
existence. Mr. Brougham then read the first part of
Mr. French's speech, conveying a severe attack on the.
late Mt. Canning's political principles—To tell an
assembled Multitude, said Mr. Brougham, that a
Statesman, who has appeared for twenty long years
in the face of his country, bad held no principle of
sound pt.licy, was a violation of sincerity. To tell the
assembled multitude that all his principles were as-
sumed, and intended for sinister purposes, was uttering
sentiments which could not be sincere. That is not dis-
cussing a man's political conduct, but darkening his
character by impeaching his motives—that great stater•
man now lies low, and those ado) have regard for his
memory might, if contempt stopped them not, come be- '
fore your Lordships and move for leave to file a criminal
information, against him who so over-charged his me-
mory, and who now is moving the Court against the
publisher of inadequate comments on his speech. Mr.
Brougham then adverted to another part of the speech
made by Mr. French, in which he attacked Sir John
Copley. " Yes, he said, the .on of a miniature painter
would destroy the liberties of Ireland to h's own selfish
interest. Let the King be once invested with the Veto,
and the Catlh lie Mitre would soon be put on the heads
al those of the Church of Sir Jahn Copley, given to men
trained in a slavish obsequiousness to an iniquitous Go•
vet nment."

The LORD Cum JusTice asked if Mr. Brougham
bad affidavits that the passages he had read were deli
'feted by Mr. French?
Mr. BROUGHAM said he had the affidavits of three
Gentlemen who heard the speech. They said that all
that was put in the report of the speech was spoken.
MI. Justice BAYLIT read the affidavit of two reporters
of the (Vete Times, and one for the Horning Herald.—
They d scribed the publication to be a fair and correct
repent of Mr. French's speech.
Mr. French then begged leave to read his own affi-
davit, which be accordingly read, giving a very long
Latin citation, in which it was his object to excite youth
to honourable pursuits.

The LORD C.:HICF Arnica then intimated that they
had heard the affidavits on the other side, and they did
not think the Learned Gentleman was entitled to have
his rule absolute.

Mr. French then asked, whether he was to be eon-
tleraned unheard ?

The Loan CIIIEY JuarlCisaid, if Mr. French would
Fonfine himself to the matter of the affidavits, they
would hear all he had to say.
Mr. French said, the speech published was not his.
A dull bull-head Scotsman had sat down to make a
speech for him.
The Loan Cater Jurrica—That is not in your affi-
clavit—(A laugh).
Mr. French then said—ls the character of Canning
one of the sacred institutions of the country ? As an
Englishman, have I not a right to disapprove of the
measures of a Minister whom 1 coßsidtr to have ruined
the cause of public liberty ?
Lord TENTERDEN—That is not the language we
ought to hear in this place.
Mr. French apologised for improper warmth. Ile
tame, hot ev.r, as a British subject, to demand jthtice
for a virulent attack which went to deprive him of his
bread.

Mr. Justice BATLEY said, that the time of the Court
was not to be taken up %hen it was kopirs.that t;se
Court could not ultimately s"et a rule.
Mr. Fs ench-:-If I have tg/cogheer Fgilipq the insti-
tutions of my country, that does not justify the deferslant
is attacking me.
Lord TENTERDEN—We do not say the defendant is
isSii6ed; but we say, be yrho calls for the !nterference
Of this Court, mast come free heti §lisasp. We Oil.
ibaige the gule.-.-Rule di:charges; accordingly.

- -
GRAND JURY.
The Grand Jury renewed some complaints respecting
ihe rapt of arc, mmodatiom which Mr. Justice BayczY
laid Gkuld be communicated to the Secretary of State.
99URT OF COMMON PLEAS, Wzirmoutiso, Nov. It
SITTINGS is BANCO.

DOS, ON Tilt DOUSE Or JAhtit SUTTON COOKE, O. nil