which will connect the Hudson with the Mississippi, and convert the most populous portion of the United States into one vast island.-Scotsman. of Veal is rather lower, and the market is dull. The best young Calves Beef Beasts At the sales in Mark-lane, every article of produce continues to advance rapidly in value, and the speculations entered into there are become not less general and extensive than those in foreign securities, and in the shares of the Mining Asso- Sheep ciations. One of the most remarkable instances of sudden rise in price, has been the article of mace, which advanced in a few days from 4s. 6d. to 23s. the pound. In the colonial market, prices continued to advance on Saturday. Sugars were about 2s. per cwt. higher than on Friday; rum and brandy 2d. to 3d. per gallon higher; coffee, 1s. and 2s. per cwt. higher; extensive sales of St. Domingo being reported at 80s. Tallow, 1s. higher; and spices all higher; nutmegs, 11s. 3d. to 12s. Hay 5s. 4d to 6s. 4d. 5s. Od. to 6s. Od. 140 180 The Average Price of Brown or Muscovado Sugar, computed from the COMPLETION OF LORD BYRON'S WORKS. THE TWO CONCLUDING VOLUMES of the WORKS of the late LORD BYRON, uniform with both the octavo and foolscap Editions, and accompanied by double Title-pages and Labels, so as to complete EVERY EDITION of the Works now in circulation. Persons possessing Editions of the Works issued before the later Pieces were what Editions they have, how many volumes, and what is the last poem or play written, should, in their orders to their Booksellers to complete them, specify they contain. Just published, in 8vo. stitched, price 1s. 6d. A VOICE from COMMON SENSE, in Answer to "A Voice from FRIGHTFUL OCCURRENCE.-The following shocking occurrence took place a few days back:-Elizabeth Gilbert, a fine young woman, 17 years of age, servant to Mr. White, wharfinger and coal-merchant, Worcester-place, Upper Thames-street, was fastening the street-door about a quarter before 12 o'clock at night, when her master opening the parlour-door to desire her to loosen the house-dog from the counting-house, perceived a young fellow ascending the stairs, who was her lover, and whom he desired to quit the house, himself fastening the door behind him. The servant-girl then went up stairs, it was supposed, to bed, but was shortly after found upon the pavement by the watchman, her jaw-places, is quite another matter.-Examiner, Feb. 20. bone broken, her right thigh fractured, and in a state of insensibility. A coach was procured, and she was taken to Guy's Hospital, where she lingers at the point of death. is conjectured that, being of a violent temper, she had in sudden gust of passion precipitated herself into the street have got hold of all the benefits which are to be derived from the system of a from her chamber-window in one of the attics. a India." Dedicated, by permission, to the Hon. Douglas Kinnaird, by Capt. Seely's "Voice from India" in favour of a fettered Press-(what a performance for a free-born subject!) has been ably replied to by Capt. Romeo in far the best of the argument; but whether it will be listened to in the high the name of "Common Sense"-Common Sense, as is usually the case, has by Printed for John and H. L. Hunt, Tavistock-street, Covent-garden; of whom may be had, by the same Author, which Mr. Hume, in the Debate at the East India Honse, Dec. 20, has said, The LETTERS to the MARQUIS of HASTINGS on the INDIAN PRESS, on It" I find many passages so well written in these letters, that I should only weaken them by endeavouring to translate their spirit. These letters, to the honour of the writer of them, are written by a foreigner; and I do confess it is to me scarcely comprehensible how a foreigner to England should so perfectly Free Press, and have been able to collect, moreover, so fully and so accurately the history of the effects of that engine upon the peace at different times, of every country throughout Europe. These letters put matters in rather different point of view, for they bring home to the judgment the fact, that in every country in the world since the Press has been an operating agent, the state of has always been followed everywhere by anarchy, bloodshed, and revolution; and that in a direct proportion as it was free and fearless, has been the improve ment of men and the tranquillity of government."-Oriental Herald for January, Just published, price 8s. boards, A DAY in STOWE GARDENS. A Collection of Tales, on the Another of those scenes which have too frequently disgraced this part of the country, took place last week in a pugilistic contest between two heroines at Bullocksmithy. They quar-that country has depended upon its greater or lesser freedom; that its restraint relled at a dance in the village, and repaired to a field close by, where they fought seven rounds in a most determined style; and the spectators, to the number of 300, seeing no probability of a speedy issue to the contest, prevailed on the combatants to defer the determination until the morrow, when they again met and fought eight rounds more. One of them was so determined on victory, that she actually had her hair cut off that she might the better maintain the contest. By those who witnessed this shameful exhibition, we are told it was highly enjoyed; and the virago who conquered challenges all England.-Stockport Paper. Plan of the Decameron. Also, lately published, price 8s. boards, lated from the German of LESSING. "The Fables are very entertaining, from their fine satire and the agreeable way in which they are related, and are well worthy a place in every library, and considering their author's celebrity."--New Monthly Magazine. even upon every idler's table. * Of the Epigrams it is needless to speak, English reader, of the critical and philosophical mode of writing for which "The Essay on Fable is the first specimen, we believe, presented to the Lessing was so distinguished. It is the best essay on the subject anywhere to The following interesting NEW WORKS will appear in the course of the MEMOIRS of MADAME DE GENLIS. 2 vols. GAIETIES and GRAVITIES, a Series of Essays, Comic Tales, &c. By one of the Authors of "The Rejected Addresses." 3 vols. TREMAINE; or, the Man of Refinement, a Novel. 3 vols.. JOURNAL of a RESIDENCE and TRAVELS in COLOMBIA, in 1923 and 1824. 2 vols. 8vo. By Capt. C. S. COCHRANE, R.N. DON ESTEBAN; or, Memoirs of a Spaniard. Written by Himself. 3 vols. The MEMOIRS of the COURT of FRANCE. By the Marquis de Dangean 2 vols. Printed for Henry Colburn, New Burlington-street. FOR CORNS, BUNIONS, &c.-MORRIS'S ROYAL BRUNS- IE PROPRIETORS of the BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY of MUSICIANS, and of the VOCAL ANTHOLOGY, beg leave respectfully form their Friends and the Public, that both the above works are ready every at their house, 11, Bell's-buildings, Salisbury-square, Fleet-street; at Longman and Co.'s, Paternoster-row; and all other Book and Music-sellers. The New Biographical and Historical Dictionary of Musicians (in 2 thick svo. price 21s. boards) contains 5,000 Memoirs and Notices, out of which ly 200 are original, and includes the most eminent living Musicians. The 15 considered by no less than 15 different Reviewers to be the best and complete of the same description that has hitherto been published in this try. The Vocal Anthology contains an almost unrivalled collection of Muof the works of Haydn, Mozart, Handel, C. M. Von Weber, Rossini, &c. &c. purchase of which, in the original Editions, would amount to 401. and the e of the Vocal Anthology is only 31. 12s., or 6s. each Part. Prospectuses th works gratis. In 1 vol. 8vo. 10s. 6d. beards, the Third Edition of KETCHES of UPPER CANADA; Domestic, Local, and Characteristic: to which are added, Practical Details for the Information of grants of every Class, and some Recollections of the United States of America. JOHN HOWISON, Esq. of the Honourable East India Company's Service. Tinted for Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh; and Geo. B. Whittaker, London. Speedily will be published, by the same Author, OREIGN SCÈNES and TRAVELLING RECREATIONS. 2 vols. post Svo. To-morrow will be published No. III. of HE BRITISH MAGAZINE, embellished with a beautiful FRONTISPIECE and two exquisitely-coloured FEMALE PORTRAITS, strative of the Fashions, price 2s. 6d. CONTENTS.-Liota, a Saxon tale-The Animated Statue-Metropolitan Retroctions; or, London as it was and is-Music and Love The Grecian Muster ry-The Joint Stock Company; a dramatic Sketch performed in London in bruary 1925, the characters from life-The Garland of Night-The Exile's ng-The Lay Brother; a sketch of our days-Kreisleriana, No. 1-Very Old ends with entirely New Faces, No. I.; or, a touch for the Judges and the -A Chapter of Advertisements-Two Strings to your Bow; or, Hints for Girls-Character of Canning, fearlessly defined-Diamond cut Diamond; the Manager's Method of wheedling the Actors-The Stolen Manuscript; affecting amours-Pot-Pourri; a savoury dish, to suit all palates from Miss Czy to Aunt Deborah-Monthly Fashions (with plates)-Literary and Dramatic ces-The Fine Arts-Agricultural and Garden Reports-Monthly Alma profitable investment for capital. The Banking Business of Scotland is almost entirely conducted by such Comes, and the high price of their Shares is the best criterion of their success, of the confidence reposed in them. eir success has been accompanied, as might be expected, with a great inin the commercial and agricultural prosperity of the country; and by formation of similar Establishments in Ireland, where they are imperiously Ord fer, similar benefits must naturally follow. fourishing state of the Bank of Ireland, is the best proof of the value of ng in that part of the United Kingdom. By an Act passed last Session of nest, the obstructions to the establishment of further Joint Stock Comes in Ireland, have been removed; and under these circumstances, a Comcalled the "Provincial Bank of Ireland," has been formed, to carry on mess upon the plan adopted by the Scotch Banks. The Capital to be 2,000,0001. (to be divided into Shares of 1001. each) under the agement of a Board of Directors in London. tabbishments will be formed in the principal Provincial Towns of IrelandCork, Waterford, Clonmel, Wexford, Limerick, Galway, Sligo, Westport, raderry, Belfast and other places. se Establishments to be under the superintendance of a Board of Resident rt, aided by active and intelligent Agents, sent by the general Board of cars, and the whole to be under the control of the General Board. Jan. 21st, 1925. pany's Office, Levant House, St. Helen's-place, Bishopsgate-street, London. OR COLDS, COUGHS, ASTHMAS, &c.-The PECTORAL ELIXIR. Experience during a very long period has incontestibly proved perior efficacy of this Medicine, in all cases of Colds, Coughs, and Asth. Affections. By promoting gentle expectoration, it very shortly relieves bent of a slight or recent Cold, and a few doses are generally sufficient ve those which neglect has rendered more confirmed and obstinate, and are accompanied with Cough, Spitting of Blood, and other serious sympIts peculiar balsamic powers tend to heal soreness, and allay the irrita the lungs, in cases of Cough; and in asthmatic affections it assists and freedom to the breath.-Sold in bottles, at 1s. 1d. and 2s. 9d. by Butler, ,, Cheapside, St. Paul's; Savory and Co. 136, New Bond-street; 220, street; and by the principal Medicine Venders throughout the United Of whom may be had, the BALSAMIC LOZENGES, used in recent Hoarseness, &c. and for rendering the Voice clear and flexible, and ing its organs from the effects of exertion. In boxes, 1. 1d. and 28. 9d. Be careful to ask for Butler's Pectoral Elixir and 2@te La:ཀ་ In a few days, in one handsome volume, with Plates, price 9s. boards, PRACTICAL CHEMICAL MINERALOGY; or, Concise and Easy Methods, illustrated by Experiments, for readily ascertaining the Nature and Value of the different Ores, and other Mineral Substances, found in Nature, as comprehended in their Assay, Analysis, Reductions, &c. together with a Description of the Apparatus and Tests used by the Scientific Minera logist, and the Processes adopted by the Miner; the whole intended as a Companion to the "Portable Mineralogical Cabinet." By FREDERICK JOYCE, Operative Chemist. Printed for Knight and Lacey, Paternoster-row; and Westley and Tyrrell, Dublin. Just published, price 2s. or Proofs on India paper, 3s. 6d. A PORTRAIT of WILLIAM COBBETT, Esq.-This is a whole- A finely-engraved VIEW of the NEW POST-OFFICE, as it will appear when completed. Printed for Knight and Lacey, Paternoster row. Just published, price 2s. 6d. in a beautiful Volume, 18mo. on hot-pressed paper, of "Little Heary and his Bearer," &c. Elegantly printing, in monthly parts, price 1s. embellished with beautiful Engravings, POPULAR MODERN GEOGRAPHY, being a Description of the various Kingdoms of the World; the Customs, Manners, Governments, and Religion of their Inhabitants. The Natural Productions, Commerce, Political Relations, and Colonies of each Country. The whole illustrated with an Atlas of thirty-six Maps. To be completed in twenty-five Parts, published monthly or oftener, forming one handsome octavo volume. By ALEXANDER JAMIESON, LL.D. Parts I. to III. are published. Printed for Knight and Lacey, Paternoster-row; and Westley and Tyrrell, Dublin. 66 Mr. Brougham's Pamphlet on "the Scientific Education of the People," states THE MECHANICS' MAGAZINE has, from its establishment, had an extensive circulation; and it communicates, for Three-pence a Week, far more valuable information, both scientific and practical, than was ever before placed within the reach of even those who could afford to pay six times as much for it."-It is published in Weekly numbers (every Saturday morning) at 3d., embellished with numerous Engravings, and in Monthly Parts, price 18. Also are published, volumes I. and II. 8s. each, in extra boards.-These volumes contain nearly One Thousand Pages of Letter-Press, consisting of original contributions from practical men, on matters of art and science. Also accounts of all new inventions, discoveries, and improvements, with illustrative engravings; together with the essence of all that is valuable in other Journals, both British and Foreign. The whole embellished with upwards of two hundred engravings. The extraordinary and unrivalled Sale of this popular Work has induced the proprietors to commence the Third Volume, with an entirely new Type and a fine Paper. They have also made a great improvement in the Engravings, and hot-press every Number. It may be had regularly of all booksellers in the kingdom. London: printed for Knight and Lacey, Paternoster-row; and sold by all booksellers. Just published, in 8vo. price 2s. 6d. with Seven Designs, including a characteristic Portrait of Prince Hohenlohe, by George Cruikshank, CATHOLIC MIRACLES. To which is added, a Reply to Cobbett's Defence of Catholicism, and Libel on the Reformation. Printed for Knight and Lacey, Paternoster-row; and Westley and Tyrrell, Dublin. Just published, price 1s. with a Steel Plate, A MASS of SCIENTIFIC and PHILOSOPHICAL INTELLIGENCE, procured at much expense and diligence, from original sources, independent of numerous articles in the amusing and light-reading department, the Belles Lettres, Poetry, Reviews, the Drama, &c. is contained in the LITERARY MAGNET and MONTHLY JOURNAL, Part 16, for March, the Third Part for 1825, with a beautiful Landscape drawing. Also, a Sketch of Miss Stephens, Miss Chester, Miss Kelly, Miss M. Tree, and Miss Foote, Mr. Young, Mr. Macready, Mr. Chas. Kemble, Mr. Harley, Mr. Cooper, and Mr. Elliston; together with a variety of Original Papers of the highest imaginative interest. This Magazine is edited by a Gentleman of high character as an author, and who is connected with the Royal Literary Institution. The talents of our most favourite writers constantly enrich its pages. Seventeen Monthly Parts at 1s. are now before the public. Its unique character, for beauty, spirit, industry, and cheapness, has given an impetus to its circulation which equals any of its contemporaries. The early parts are all re-printed, fourteen of which form two elegantly illustrated octavo volumes, at 8s. each. Parts, with a Steel Plate in each, 18. London William Charlton Wright, publisher, 65, Paternoster-row. Persons wishing to begin the present year with the Work, will be kind enough to send their orders to any Newsman or Bookseller in their neighbourhood, who will deliver it regularly. Just published, price 16s. in 2 elegant volumes, with 14 Engravings on Steel, Copper, and Wood; and beautifully printed on French crimped paper, an entirely Original Work, from the Pens of celebrated living Authors, THE LITERARY MAGNET; consisting of-I. Original Satirical Essays of Permanent Interest-II. Sketches of Society, Humorous and Sentimental-III. Original Poetry-IV. Miscellaneous Matters. Forming a body of original and elegant Literature. The Author of the " Hermit in London," &c. By TOBIAS MERTON, and assisted by various Literary Characters of the day. So various and interesting are the contents of these volumes, that they have become the Poet's Companion, the Lady's Delight, the favourite Associete of the Literary Lounger, and Young Man's Solitude. Six editions have now con firmed the approbation of the Critical Gazette, which thus notices the Magnet:"Its original Communications, whether in the shape of Tales, Dramatic Sketches, or Poetic Effusions, are tasteful and elegant; the Anecdotes rare and striking; the Information often curious and erudite; and the Criticisms are dashed off in the very best style." London: William Charlton Wright, Publisher, 65, Paternoster-row; and may be procured of all Booksellers, Just published, in 3 vols. post 8vo. price 30s. boards, of the Pharaohs, "Rameses belongs to the class of historical Novels, and is one of the most intellectual and imaginative productions of the age."-Critical Gazette, No. 7. Also, the OUTCASTS; a Romance. Translated from the German. By George Soane. 2 vols. post 8vo. 16s. boards. Printed for Geo. B. Whittaker, Aye-Maria-lane. RECTIFIED SPERM OIL, at 4s. 6d. per Gallon.-UPTON and CO. Oilmen and Chemical Colour Manufacturers, 64, Queen-street, Cheap-RAMESES; an Egyptian Tale; with Historical Notes of the Era side (near the Southwark Bridge) respectfully acquaint the Public, that, by a process exclusively their own, they are enabled to render Sperm Oil equal in purity to Spirits of Wine: it has the brilliancy of the finest Gas, without Smell or Smoke; and although, from the brightness of its flame, it is peculiarly adapted for Sinumbra, French, and all Lamps of a superior kind, it will be found advantageous in an economical point, as, from its extreme purity, there is no waste: the saving in Wicks and Cottons is considerable, and there is more light obtained from it, than from any other Oil. Fine Sperm Oil, 4s,; Chamber ditto, 39. 6d.; pale Whale, free from smell, 28. 9d. &c. &c. The following Works will be published in the course of March and April, by THE HISTORY of ITALY, from the Fall of the Western Empire TRAVELS through RUSSIA in EUROPE, SIBERIA, POLAND, AUSTRIA, BOHEMIA, SAXONY, PRUSSIA, and other parts of GERMANY; with a Portrait of the Author, and other Plates. By James Holman, R. N. K.W. 2 vols. 8vo. NARRATIVE of a SECOND VISIT to GREECE; including Facts and Anecdotes relative to the Last Days of Lord Byron, with Extracts from his Correspondence with the Provisional Government, Official Documents, &c. By E. Blaquiere, Esq. 8vo. Just published, the Second Edition, post 8vo. price 8s, boards, THE LUCUBRATIONS of HUMPHREY RAVELIN, Esq. late See Quarterly Review, No. 61, p. 100. Printed for Geo. B. Whittaker, Ave-Maria-lane. Just published, in 3 vols. 12mo. price 18s. boards, The HERMIT in PRISON. Translated from the French of E. Jouy, Author of" The Hermit of the Chaussée d'Antin," &c. and A. Jay. 2 vols. 12mo. 14s. In 3 vols. 12mo. price 21s. boards, NARRATIVE of an EXPEDITION to the SOURCE of ST. PETER'S RIVER, LAKE WINNEPEEK, LAKE of the WOODS, &c. performed in the Year 1923, by order of the Hon. I. C. Calhoun, Secretary at War, under the Command of Stephen H. Long, Major U.S. F.G. Compiled from the Notes of Messrs. Long, Say, Keating, and Calhoun, by William H. Keating, A.M. &c. Professor of THE WRITER'S CLERK; or, the Humours of the Scottish Mineralogy and Chemistry, as applied to the Arts, in the University of Philadelphia, Geologist and Historiographer to the Expedition. In 2 vols. 8vo. HISTORY of the CONQUEST of ENGLAND by the NORMANS, its Causes and Consequences. Translated from the French of M. Thierry. 3 vols. 8vo. MARIAMNE, an Historical Novel of the Holy Land. 3 vols. 12mo. A HISTORY of the FRENCH REVOLUTION, accompanied by a History of the Revolution of 1335, or of the States-General under King John. By A. Thiers and Felix Bodin. Translated from the French. In 3 vols. 8vo. The EVE of ALL-HALLOWS; or, Adelaide of Tyrrconnell; a Romance. 3 vols. 12mo. Metropolis. Printed for Geo. B. Whittaker, Ave-Maria lane. STANMORE; or, the Monk and the Merchant's Widow: a Novel. By Sophia TRIALS: a Tale. Second Edition, 3 vols. 21s. boards. Just published, in 8vo. price 7s. 6d. boards, A JOURNEY through various PARTS of EUROPE, in the Years 1818, 1919, COMMENTARIES on DISEASES of the STOMACH and 1820, 1821: with Notes, Classical and Historical; and Memoirs of the Seven TALES of ARDENNES. By H. Derwent Conway. Small 8vo. HUSBAND-HUNTING; or, the Mother and Daughter: a Tale of Fashionable Life. 3 vols. 12mo. The PICTURES; The BETROTHING: Novels. Translated from the German of Lewis Tieck. Post 8vo. A PEEP at the PILGRIMS in Sixteen Hundred and Thirty-six: a Tale of Olden Times. In 3 vols. 12mo. The VISION of HADES; or, the Region inhabited by the departed Spirits of the Blessed. With Cursory Notes, Theological and Metaphysical. To which is added, the Vision of Noös. Foolscap 8vo. The HIGHEST CASTLE and the LOWEST CAVE. By the Author of "The TALES of OLD MR. JEFFERSON, of Gray's-inn; collected by Young Mr. The HISTORY of PARIS. 3 vols. 8vo. A New and much-improved Edition of GALIGNANI'S PARIS GUIDE. 18mo. Just published, a Second Edition, with considerable Additions, in 12mo. 6s. bds. THOUGHTS, chiefly designed as Preparative or Persuasive to PRIVATE DEVOTION. By JOHN SHEPPARD, Author of "A Tour in 1816, with Incidental Reflections on Religion," and of "An Inquiry on the Duty of Christians respecting War." Printed for Geo. B. Whittaker, Ave-Maria-lane. Just published, in Svo. price 7s. boards, BOWELS of CHILDREN. By ROBERT DUNGLISON, M.D. Lecturer on Midwifery, &c. &c. A TREATISE on the NATURE, SYMPTOMS, and CURE of CATARACT, by means intended to obviate the Occurrence of Blindness, and to supersede the common Operation of Couching and Extraction. Illustrated by Cases, demonstrating the Ease and Safety of the proposed Plan, the success of which has been ascertained and confirmed by ample experience. By John Stevenson, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. 8vo. 8s. boards. PHYSIOLOGICAL VIEWS of the STRUCTURE, FUNCTIONS, and DISORDERS of the STOMACH and ALIMENTARY ORGANS of the HUMAN BODY; with Observations on the Qualities and Effects of Food and fermented Liquors, and on the Influence of Climate and Local Station. By Thomas Harr F.L.S. F.H.S. Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in London, &c. Secon Edition, 8vo. 10s. 6d. boards. Just published, a New Edition, price 5s. 6d. THE CHUR AWARDEN'S and OVERSEER'S GUIDE and DIRECTOR. Written and arranged for the Use of Parish Officers, ar others desirous o facquiring Parochial Information, on an entire new System in which every Branch of Parish Business, and other Matters relating theret and the various Duties of Parish Officers, are familiarly and minutely explained By J. ASHDOWNE, Member of the Honourable Society of Lincoln's-inn. Also, by the same Author, Octavo, sewed. The PARISH POOR'S RATÉ BOOK, for Overseers; being an approved an convenient Plan for the Assessment for the Relief of the Poor; and containi proper Directions for completing the Assessment, the adjusting of Disput and the Manner of proceeding to recover the Amount of the Rate by Distre &c. Post 4to. 3s, in red sheep. The PARISH OFFICER'S ALPHABETICAL REGISTER; showing A VOICE from INDIA, in Answer to the Reformers of England. Names of Paupers receiving occasional or permanent Parochial Relief, Dedicated, by permission, to the Right Hon. the President of the Board of Control. By JOHN B. SEELY, Captain in the Bombay Native Infantry, and late Second in Command 1st Battalion of the Regular Brigade of his Highness the Rajah of Nagpore; Author of "The Wonders of Elora." "This work may be profitably read Ly those who wish to have the benefit of practical opinions as to the probable consequences of establishing a free press in British India."-Asiatic Journal. "In Captain Seely's book we find the state of society in India very ably discussed. Indeed, the Captain is most successful while demonstrating the effects which would inevitably be produced on the minds of the natives by any thing like an unlicensed press."-Courier. "The work is written in an easy and temperate style; and the long and varied local experience of the author gives it a claim to the attention of the philosopher, the politician, the merchant, and the statesman."-Sun. Printed for Geo. B. Whittaker, Ave Maria-lane; of whom may be had, by the same Author, The WONDERS of ELORA; or, the Narrative of a Journey to the Temples and Dwellings excavated out of a Mountain of Granite, and extending upwards of a mile and a quarter, at Elora, in the East Indies. With some general observations on the people and country. 8vo. with several Plates, 16s. boards. In post 8vo. price 7s. 6d. boards, OUR VILLAGE: Sketches of Rural Character and Scenery. By MARY RUSSEL MITFORD, Author of " Julian," a Tragedy. 2d Edition. "The Sketches of Country Scenery, in which this volume abounds, have such a convincing air of locality; the human figures, interspersed among them, are touched in such a laughter-loving good-humoured spirit of caricature, innocentyet pungent withal, that we scarcely know a more agreeable portfolio of trifles for the amusement of an idle hour."-Quarterly Review, No. 61. Printed for Geo. B. Whittaker, Ave-Maria-lane. Also, lately published, ALICE ALLAN; The COUNTRY TOWN; and other Tales. By Alexander Wilson. Post 8vo. 8s. 6d. boards. "We have been greatly pleased with a perusal of the Tales which foria this volume. Their moral tendency is excellent, which is no slight praise; but they have the further merit of being very interesting and well-told stories."-Literary Magnet, Feb. SCENES and THOUGHTS; invo. 7s. 6d. boards. "The Scenes in this volavy, fine sensible and correct. and 2s. 6d. sewed.-Printed for Geo. B. Whittaker, Ave-Maria-lane. THE TOPOGRAPHY of all the known VINEYARDS; conta ing a Description of the Kind and Quality of their Products, and a Clas cation. Translated from the French, and abridged so as to form a Manual Guide to all Importers and Purchasers in the Choice of Wine. Printed for Geo. B. Whittaker, Ave-Maria-lane. GYMNASTICS. Just published, in 8vo. with Eleven illustrative Plates, price 6s. 6d. în boa INSTRUCTIONS in all kinds of GYMNASTIC EXERCISES taught and practised in the Gymnastic Institutions of Germany. Desi as well for Colleges, Schools, and other Places of Education, as for Private By a MILITARY OFFICER. Printed for Geo. B. Whittaker, Ave-Maria-lane. Just published, the Second Edition, with considerable Additions, in g vals "The Author of this publication is a man of extensive reading, a cla scholar, a gleaner of choice things, a bit of a humourist, and a very entert Printed for Geo. B. Whittaker, Ave-Maria-lane. The process of Brewing (as the Compiler justly observes in his pr No. 892. MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1825. THE POLITICAL EXAMINER. Party is the madness of many for the gain of a few.-POPE. THE BUDGET. To the majority of the nation, the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER'S statement of Monday last will prove a disappointment. Some hope was entertained of the entire abolition of the Assessed Taxes; and there was a confident expectation, that at least the remainder of the Window Tax would be remitted;—instead of which, the House Tax has been given up only as far as affects tenants under 101. a year rent, and that on windows only with reference to houses not having more than seven. This relief, we are quite ready to allow, is founded on the wise and humane principle of diminishing first of all the burdens of the poor; and the Minister assures us, that nearly a million of taxpayers will come within its operation. We regret, however, that a class of persons suffering extremely both in health and comfort from the Window duty will not be relieved by this measure we mean the poor who inhabit great towns, and lodge in comparatively large though wretched houses, from whose numerous narrow apartments a proper quantum of light and air is excluded by the fear of the tax. We wish Mr. ROBINSON had completed the equity of his plan either by the total repeal of the Window Tax, which would besides have been an important benefit to a large class of struggling tradesmen or by making an exemption in favour of houses let out to the poor in rooms or small floors. We hope this suggestion is not too late; the Minister might incorporate it in his original plan, as he did the law-stamps last Session. As for the long list of minor items under the head of Assessed Taxes, there cannot be two opinions, we should think, as to the propriety of the repeal of such trifling and vexatious imposts. Think of a whole string of fiscal duties, each with its train of surcharges, evasions, appeals, expenses of collection, &c. the average produce of which is not more than 2,000l. or 3,000l. per annum a-piece! Three of them yield less than 1,000 each; and one (" mules carrying ore ") only 1371.! It is impossible, as a contemporary has justly observed, to have one's attention called to these items without feeling indignant that they should ever have formed part of our financial system. What a debt of gratitude do we owe to PITT, ROSE, and VANSITTART! As far as they go, the reductions proposed by the Minister are extremely judicious: our objection is, that they do not go half far enough, even on his own principle. We are not among those who would have had the spare million and a half remitted in direct taxes only, instead of in certain customs and excise duties. Excepting the Window Tax, we prefer direct imposts to duties on commodities, not only because they are cheaper, are less burdensome on the poor, and interfere less with the industry of the people, but for the very reason which makes them commonly obnoxious-namely, that they are more seen and felt by the taxpayers. It is a bad system which enables a Government to draw enormous sums from its subjects without reminding the latter, by the process of extraction, of the magnitude of their payments. The taxgatherer is an unwelcome visitant, but he is a good monitor-he makes people feel and reflect upon the oppression of standing armies, costly embassies, and profligate pensions and sinecures. Our Republican brethren across the Atlantic have a prudent horror of taxes which are insidiously mixed up with the prices of their food and clothing: they like to know what each man pays to the State; they are well aware, that every direct call upon a citizen for a contribution, tends to make him watch more narrowly the expenditure of his money by his representatives. It is the same conviction which led our wily financiers to prefer the more hidden species of impost; and the result has confirmed the selfish policy of their system; we are convinced, that the 36 millions of excise duties are paid by the people of this country with less smarting and grudging, than the 4 millions raised by the Assessed Taxes. We need hardly add the tribute of our praise to the abundant compliments paid to Mr. ROBINSON, in Parliament, for his further Temission of the anti-commercial duties. How much of the credit is due to those Members of Opposition, and those public writers, who have for years urged the adoption of the measures now tardily brought forward, would be perhaps an ungracious inquiry. We confess, however, that when sometimes we read brilliant expatiations from official lips upon the wisdom of free trade and moderate duties, we are tempted to exclaim, as Mr. COBBETT does when another writer nõu of the thousand and one things he has ever recommended," Fine words-I wonder where you stole 'em." We approve generally of the proposed reductions in the excise and customs duties; we think the surplus of revenue could not have been better applied. But Mr. ROBINSON's estimate of the loss of revenue by these reductions appears to us grievously exaggerated. For instance, he reckons, that the remission of half the duty on coffee (by lowering it from 1s. to 6d. per pound) will cause a deficiency to the Exchequer. Yet his colleague, Mr. HUSKISSON, mentioned the same evening, that when he was in office, he effected a reduction of duty on the same article from three shillings to four pence, without causing the smallest diminution of revenue! Why then is not the duty now brought down again to fourpence, with this actual experience of so favourable a result? Indeed, there never was a time when a largely increased consumption, with a small duty, might be more safely calculated on: the increase of humble coffee-shops throughout the metropolis is remarkable, and coffee appears to be gaining ground rapidly on the villainous stuff sold in pot-houses. The Minister is not justified, either in stopping short of the former low duty, or in calculating on the loss of one penny to the revenue by› his present reduction. So with regard to British Spirits: the rest duction of duty will bring under the excise an immense quantity of spirits now smuggled into England from Scotland and Ireland: a calculation therefore of a deficiency of revenue to any considerable extent, appears to us strangely extravagant. The like remark applies to Cyder, the entire duty on which produced about 30,000l. a year; and yet Mr. ROBINSON assumes, that its reduction from 30s. to 10s. a hogshead will take away 20,000/. of that sum, as if greater cheapness would not ensure larger consumption-and as if the discouragement of smuggling would not open a new source of receipt! The Minister's first intention was to lower the Cyder duty to 15s. but Mr. HUME interjected "Oh! make it 10s." and to "prevent squabbling," it was made 10s. on the spot. We wish the Member for Aberdeen had pressed a little more on the Right Hon. Gentleman's good nature, and had exclaimed Oh! do it away altogether!" Seriously, such an item as appears in the last year's finance accounts" Cyder, Perry, and Verjuice, 43,3051." is highly disgraceful to the Minister. No tax producing so small a sum is worth even the expense of collection; but when the vexation, the fraud, the crime, and the suffering, caused confessedly by such a tax as that on Cyder, are considered, how can Mr. ROBINSON reconcile to his humanity and good sense, its continuance even at a third of its former amount? The lowering of the foreign wine duties will be extremely beneficial; but here again is a sad neglect of sound modification. The absurdity of the old duties was not more in the over-taxing than in the distribution of the tax. The wines of the Portuguese, a poor and lazy population of 2 millions, who afford us scarcely any market for our manufactures, were admitted into England at little more than half the duty levied on the wines of the French; and thus we lost nearly 30 millions of customers for our manufactures, which they would have taken, but for the almost prohibitive duty, in exchange for their produce. Mr. HоBHOUSE recommended the equalization of the lowered duties—which would doubtless be an improvement; but it would be a still greater one to reduce the duty on French wines to less than that on Port. We see no ground for supposing, that the Minister's reduction will deprive the revenue of a single shilling: indeed the excellent article which lately appeared in the Edinburgh Review proved, that Mr. Prrr's reduction augmented the produce of the tax, and that it could not be reasonably doubted, that in the present state of the country a similar reduction would bring a very considerable additional sum into the Exchequer. Yet Mr. ROBINSON thinks fit to suppose a loss to the revenue by the lowering of the wine duties. Looking seriously at all these miscalculations, many of them such as would be obvious to a schoolboy, we cannot help suspecting they are wilful. Does Mr. he dole out his measures of relief, in order that he may get new comROBINSON act with an eye to a similar display next Session? Does pliments and thanks, for the like partial reduction for years to come? Does he knowingly overstate the probable deficiencies of the revenue, in order that he may "blow his annual trumpet" on the vast improvement of the nation's finances "beyond the estimate of the previous year?" We are afraid there is anything but candour in the plan. We are equally at a loss to account for the retention of high duties on other articles which are manifestly over-taxed, with reference solely to *We can hardly help suspecting, that Mr. HuszISSON meant to sneer at his Right Hon. Friend's square calculations. The remark was either very insidious, or singularly mal-apropos. the revenue. Mr. BRIGHT, Mr. JOHN SMITH, and other Members, mentioned tobacco and sugar as matters that might be safely dealt with. Mr. ROBINSON insists much, and justly, upon the dreadful evils of smuggling: now the smuggling of Tobacco is carried on to an enormous extent, as indeed may be conceived from the fact stated in the House that the consumption has of late years increased, while the duty has become less productive. By a proper reduction on this item, therefore, the public would benefit in regard to price, and an immense smuggling trade would be annihilated, with scarcely a chance of injury to the revenue. On the same principle upon which the trifling items in the Assessed Taxes were reduced, the Excise should have been taken off several articles which now pay miserably inadequate sums. We have mentioned the duties on Cyder, Perry, and Verjuice, producing altogether only 43,305/.. nearly half of which is to be given up. There is also a tax upon Sweets, producing 12,0717.! on Stone Bottles, 3,136l.; on Vinegar, 44,400/.; on Wire, 7,8871. The tax on Hops is extremely oppressive and impolitic, as well as expensive to collect; and it yields only the paltry sum of 35,916l. a year. If the revenue cannot spare the small total of all these trivial imposts (which can hardly be asserted, while the standing army receives a costly increase in a time of profound and universal peace) it would be better to raise it by a trifling addition to some other necessary tax. The grand defect of our Finance System is, however, the Sinking Fund. While that is preserved, comparatively little can be done, either to enfranchise commerce, or to relieve the tax-payers. That fund is formed on the monstrous principle of extorting from an overtaxed community 5 millions more than the annual expenditure, in order to put them out at interest at 3 per cent.! We are told of the necessity of supporting public credit; we concede that necessity, but we can never believe that among an enlightened nation public credit is founded on anything but the general prosperity of the country; and we ask any person of common sense, whether a sum of five millions, if left in the pockets of an industrious people, to be applied by them in all the productive shapes of capital, would not augment their wealth, and consequently their ability to grapple with the huge debt, to a far greater extent than the same five millions lying inactive at a small interest? The policy of the Sinking Fund seems to us no better than that of a private individual, who, being under a load of debt and embarrassment, and having nevertheless a prosperous trade, should place in the funds, at little more than 3 per cent. every hundred pounds he can draw from his business, instead of applying it to the extension of his trade at a productive rate of 15 or 20 per cent. Nay, the case is even worse as regards the public; for seeing what has lately been made apparent as to the effect of reducing impolitic duties, there is every reason to calculate, that if the five millions now annually raised by the Sinking Fund were judiciously applied in reduction of unwise and anti-commercial imposts, another five millions would in a few years be yielded by the vigorous impulse given to commerce and domestic industry, and the superior productiveness of the remaining branches of the revenue. LITERARY NOTICE. THE LONDON STAGE.-The first volume of this work has just been completed; and certainly, for good paper and printing, amusing embellishments, and cheapness, it has scarcely a rival. Here are 48 dramas at the price of 10s. 6d.; each piece, too, accompanied by an engraving on wood. Many of these cuts have considerable merit. There is one now open before us, which is really an admirable performance. It illustrates Foote's pleasant farce of the Mayor of Garratt. In the centre, burly and blustering, is seen the seducing Major Sturgeon, evidently a tolerably wicked personage, if the fat knight's maxim be sound, that "the more flesh, the more frailty." On one side appears the unhappy Jerry, a true Sneak down to his very toes. On the other, with a natural leaning towards the portly Major, stands the lawful wife of the said Jerry, fierce and full-blooded,-a lady before whom such a starveling as her husband might well feel alarmed, although she did not evidently betray a disposition not to limit her active powers to the exaltation of the horn of the righteous alone. The artist has entered heartily into the humour of the author; and, for composition, spirit, and character, this print is superior to many which accompany works of ten times the cost of this first volume of The London Stage. THEATRICAL EXAMINER. KING'S THEATRE. This ill-fated Theatre has scarcely escaped from the beak and talons of the law, that have so long preyed on its vitals, and felt in some degree disencumbered from its shackles, than a new enemy appears in the disguise of brick and mortar, and a restive wall choosing to part company with its fellows, threatens by its own fall to bring down all around it. This alarming determination, coming to the ears of Mr. Peel and the Lord Chamberlain, forth issues an injunction to prevent the theatre from opening till this mutinous spirit is appeased, and pronounced by the bricklayers to be at rest. In the mean time, that there may be an opera of some sort, the little theatre in the Haymarket has been converted into a substitute for its larger neighbour. Never was any place less adapted to the purpose; but to give it some affinity to the other, a staircase has been constructed from the centre box to form a communication with the pit, the boxes have been hung with draperies to exclude all persons not immediately in front from a glimpse of the stage, and to render the inconveniences more complete, the chairs in the front have been turned with their backs to the stage; so much is convenience made subservient to fashion! This theatre is altogether, thanks to the taste of Mr. Nash, the ugliest in London, and the coldest; for we were nearly torpid during the whole evening: to these merits may be added its total incapacity for sound. The band, though consisting of the first professors the country can produce, was totally ineffective; no vibration, no tone, no combination; the notes issuing as dull and dead as if they were played in a snuffbox. The singers looked like a race of giants, and their voices, unsoftened by the space around them, were harsh and grating to the ear. None of them appeared to advantage; even Madame RoNzI's was unusually metallic and wiry, her husband's rough and boisterous, and Signor PORTO's, like the rumble of a cart full of rusty iron. Never was the delightful opera of Figaro so barbarously murdered; not one encore to any of our old favourites, not even to Crudel perché, or Su l'aria. Madame VESTRIS was the Susannah; for which she is physically unfit, the music being out of the compass of her voice and utterly impracticable to her, had not Madame RoNZI frequently changed parts with her and relieved her from many of the highest passages. The inferior characters were most miserably executed by a set of people "new and strange," and some of the best compositions omitted from their total incapacity to perform them. If the manager had searched England for scare-crows, he could not have hit upon a more extraordinary collection than these nameless persons furnished. We have perused with considerable pleasure Mr. T. RosCOE's four volumes of Specimens of the Italian Novelists, commencing with Boccaccio, and descending to some of the most recent authors in that line of composition. We scarcely need dilate upon the peculiar character of these writers, who make amends for a simplicity, which occasionally smacks of the rudeness of earlier days, by an intensity in the description of our more unsophisticated and native emotions, which is peculiarly attractive. The disinterested union of two youthful hearts is almost uniformly painted with the most engaging freshness and fervour,—a well-attested instance of which is the delightful tale from which Shakespeare took his Romeo and Juliet, and, in his own language, added gilding to refined gold, and paint to the lily. Friendship, too, is usually depictured with the same singleness and delicacy; and, in short, all the less complex impulses, whether of the foregoing gentle order, or of a more fiery nature, as revenge, jealousy, or am- Amongst the annoyances of the evening, we must protest altogether bition. Their description of the face of nature, too, is usually as most formally against an old gentleman in a brown wig and spectacles, vivid as unlaboured; and if the mere humour sometimes fail, it is who is placed in the orchestra as conspicuously as the leader; and, not unfrequently very arch and amusing. The plan adopted by Mr. like a clerk at a conventicle, declaims audibly every sentence preRoscoe is, to preface a few tales from each Novelist with a brief viously to its being sung. If any thing could be devised more deaccount of the author and his plan, which, generally speaking, exhi-structive of all effect than another, it surely is the twang of this bits some slight variety of the scheme of Boccacio. We need not dwell upon the intimate connexion of the name of Roscoe with ItaTian literature, or in consequence to add, that the peculiar delicacy and easy flow of the early Italian narrative is admirably preserved. Indeed, these books are altogether attractive, whether we attend to the subject, the happy taste of the ornamental vignettes, or to the felicity of the entire execution Not, however, to be exclusively eulo venerable but indiscreet person's voice coming in every moment to destroy the illusion of the scene, and mar the finest passages of the music. This nuisance exists solely to administer to the indolence of the singers, who surely might take the pains to acquire by memory the few words they have to utter. When we consider what is done on the English stage, it is perfectly inexcusable. Not many years ago, the chorus sung with their music-books in their hands, and we did our |