The Sun. — 1847-11-19 (London, England)

THOMAS MORE.  this Day is published, price 6s. 61, THE LAWS of HARMONIOUS 'COLOURMI, adapted to Interior Decorations, with Observations on Pssuitlas of Rouse Painting. By D. R. Hay. A new Edition (being the Sixth,) in crown ltvo. Wflliam Blackwood and Sons, Edinbargh and London.  Having prepared themselves by these preliminary proceedings, the newly-elected representatives of the people seem to be prepared to enter vigorously into the discussion of those measures of alleviation or precaution which are demanded by circumstances. With the commerce and industry of the United Kingdom in a deplorable state of depression, with want and murder frightfully prevalent among the wretched population of Ireland, with the plague hurrying towards us on the wings of the wind, and threatening to afford a new illustration of the necessity for greater cleanliness and decency in our larger towns and cities—there is sufficient, in truth, to incite the Members of the Legislature to those active measures and rapid but sagacious deliberations which can alone sustain the hopes of the community—hopes that have been thinned and weakened by a congregation of disasters. Factious sentiments no longer divide the Commons into two gigantic and malevolent parties; there is just enough of confusion to admit of unanimity in the urgency of a national dilemma, and just enough of positive antagonism to stimulate inquiry, and arouse a wholesome spirit of emulation. Even those Members who may be regarded, from their duplex position at Westminster and Capel-court, as the peculiar and authorised guardians of the railway interests of the country, must for the time being abate the fury of their speculative predilections to aid the Government in ameliorating the sorrows, and abbreviating the agonies of the community. Even those again, who from their twofold authority in the lobby and in the courts may be considered as the pertinacious up holders of the law, as it at present stands, must diminish their professional enthusiasm for a while, and co-operate in striving for those measures of relief for which the exigencies of the kingdom are becoming clamorous. Much may be accomplished even before the adjournment for the Christmas vacation, if due regard be only had for the proper economy of time, and the most judicious sequence of motions. There has latterly been ample opportunity for agitation; there is now ample opportunity for legislation. The people:have, with their accustomed precision, availed themselves of the former; their representatives must in turn prove their capacity for availing themselves of the latter, and by a sagacious response to the aspirations of their constituencies, confirm the hopes of the nation, and redeem that strength which its late sufferings have unquestionably diminished.  The public attention should be directed to a prosecution which has recently taken place at Castletown, in the Isle of Man, which forcibly illustrates the defective state of the law itself, or of the manner of its administration in that island. It also affords a strong instance of the restrictions still existing on the liberty of the press, and the grave responsibilities to which any person must submit who devotes his time and property to the discharge of the duties of a public journalist. A report of the case to which we allude was published at considerable length, under the title of DUMBELL v. FARGHER, in our respected contemporary the Liverpool Mercury, in the early part of the present month. We then, however, abstained from comment, inasmuch as the last act of the drama had not been completed. The sentence of the law had not been passed upon the innocent although convicted publisher. That, however, has since been supplied, and at this moment that gentleman is suffering close imprisonment in Castle Rushen, to which he has been consigned for three months, away from his family and friends, he has been also condemned to pay a fine of 501., together with the costs of the prosecution, and to be imprisoned until such fine is paid. During that period he will necessarily be unable to exercise the watchful control over the articles inserted in his periodical, which it was distinctly proved on his trial he had ever manifested, with the exception of the day on which the libel for which he has been convicted appeared, when he was necessarily occupied on another matter connected with his business, and which no other person but himself was competent to discharge. He may consider himself fortunate if, on his discharge from custody, he be not again made responsible, and subjected to severe punishment for matters with which he must necessarily be wholly unacquainted, but for which he may, notwithstanding, be criminally convicted, according to the Manx law, as administered by Mr. Deemster