The Sun. — 1850-12-10 (London, England)

QUIXOTE." A multitude of interesting particulars are likewise squandered through the lectures—particulars such as the mention of the tomb of WASHINGTON above the noble Potomac, where are preserved the keys of the Bastille, sent to the Founder of American Republicanism by General LAFAYETTE, and the sword sent to him by the GREAT FREDERICK with this message, " From the oldest General of the age to the best," as the accompanying compliment.  Whatever is repulsive in the United States' society the Earl of CARLISLE very suggestively and sententiously attributes to—tobacco. Generally speaking he appears to commend the aspect and bearing of the population. Compared with our own, he considers their frames to be less robust and healthy ; but if physically deficient in one respect, they are unquestionably superior to us in many others, moral and socially. Hear, for instance, that emphatic sentence pronounced by the NobleLecturer,when he observes:— "It is something to have travelled nearly over the whole extent of the Union without having encountered a single specimen either of servility or of incivility." Commenting, also, upon their capabilities of religious improvement, he remarks, with an air of delight, that amongst them is visible the truest and the largest toleration. This occurs, moreover, without the citizens having pledged themselves to the adoption of the voluntary system entirely—the Earl observing upon this enlightened freedom—" There certainly is a breadth and universality of religious liberty which I do not regard without some degree of envy I" Various other topics are expatiated on with consummate skill, and sometimes with incomparable earnestness, as where allusion is made to slavery— that diabolical system of slavery which, in the United States, is " a brand, a bye-word, and a jest upon the name of freedom," but further reference to these particular passages would be superfluous, seeing that all alike may read the detailed report of the lecture itself precisely as it fell from the lips of the lecturer. To him the country will not fail to look with increasing regard and admiration, now that to the fame of a lettered and liberal patrician he adds the glory of a true and practical friend of general education.  The trial of the Abbe dOTHLAND and of Madame Du SABLON, for the alleged murder of the aged domestic of the male prisoner, has been brought to a conclusion. After a protracted investigation, continued during many successive days, the jury returned a verdict of " Guilty, with extenuating circumstances," against the abbe, and acquitted the female of any participation in the offence. The convicted party was then sentenced to expiate the enormous atrocity of which he had been convicted by hard labour in the galleys for life. The extraordinary and revolting circumstances attending the entire transaction, the intense interest excited in the public mind respecting every portion of the case, has led to the production of a more copious and detailed report of the proceedings than is usually given of criminal trials in other countries. We are, therefore, enabled to compare the practice and proceedure with what it would have been in England, under similar circumstances ; and we are convinced that the most ardent and enthusiastic advocate for legal reform will freely admit that so far as the administration of the criminal law is concerned, we are immeasurably helve our continental neighbours ; that there is greater fair play shown to the accused, and consequently less danger of the unmerited punishment of an innocent person, while there is at the same time a dignity and impartiality more becoming the solem.. nity of the occasion, which is never suffered to assume that dramatic appearance which is so perceptible in trials before the French tribunals. We do not find that searching cross-examination of the accused, that earnest desire to convict him out of his own mouth, to detect and expose his inaccuracies and inconsistencies, to browbeat and bully the person whose life is involved in the issue, which is calculated to prejudice the stupid innocent man, and to serve the clever scoundrel—to lead to the undue conviction of the former and the undeserved acquittal of the latter, while it deprives the bench of that appearance of impartiality which is so essential. The sole ohjed of —the presiding jadge seems to be the conviction of the prisoner by any means, per it, ant nefas. In place of holding • the scales of justice. with an even hand, and accurately weighing the various circumstances for  DECEMBER la, 1850.