children. OPPRESSIONS UNDER THE EXCISE LAWS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE EXAMINER. SIR,-There are circumstances attached to the case of one of the individuals (the Auctioneer) alluded to in the letter of VERITAS, which appeared in your last publication, peculiarly interesting to every bosom which has not wholly discarded the influences of humanity. At the time on which the auction duty of between 4 and 57. became due from him to the Excise, his circumstances were deeply embarrassed, and in short, he was obliged to surrender to a prison, leaving his wife and family wholly unprovided for. Whilst in the prison he wrote to the Boards of Treasury and Excise, stating to them fully and respectfully; his inability to pay " at present" the auction duty in question, and imploring of them to allow him time to discharge the same, expressing also his determination so to do the instant he could. To these supplications no reply was received for a considerable time, and the supplicant was forced by his other obligations to take what is called the benefit of the Insolvent Act. No sooner had he gone through this ordeal, than he received the positive refusal of the above public authorities either to grant his request, or otherwise to interfere for him. An information was now brought against him suing for the penalty of 501. for "not having returned the sale, and paid the auction duty thereon," notwithstanding that he had previously informed the Treasury and Excise Boards, and the Collector of Excise, of the imperative cause of that delay, his great distress and utter insufficiency then to pay the duty, and assured them all of his anxiety to discharge it under an extension of time. He had `now just come out of prison shorn of his last shilling, when this prosecution (if a fitter word cannot be found) for the penalty of 501, was instituted against him. To describe the shock produced on his mind and body by this event, he states, is impossible, and confesses that suicide frequently occurred to him as the only antidote for this desperate affliction, but which he now gratefully acknowledges was happily counteracted by his reflections on the hapless and destitute situation of his wife and At length the case is brought before the Magistrates. He narrates to them also the whole circumstances of the case, and his absolute disqualification to pay the duty alone, much less a penalty of 501. declares to them most fervently, that the result of their convicting him must inevitably be to return him to the prison from whence he had just been delivered, whilst his wife and children would be left to perish outside the walls, and himself forced to starvation within. However, Sir, the Magistrates and the Collector of Excise consult privily together, and resolve on fining him 121. 10s. in addition to an order for the prompt payment of the duty of between 4 and 57. This announcement threw him into despair, the gates of the prison were already opened in his imagination again to receive him, when a by-stander, excited to humanity, said to the Magistrates and Collector, "If you will take 51. I will pay it out of my own pocket:" a virtue was made of necessity; they said they would recommend the Board of Excise to take the amount thus proffered, on the defendant's drawing up a “humble petition" to that effect, and engaging forthwith to pay the auction duty. This was ultimately done; the Board consented to take the 51. fine, and the defendant parted with some of his necessaries to raise the amount of the duty.-Now, Sir, I submit to you whether it ever could have fallen within the contemplation of the Legislature, to direct a prosecution for the penalty of 50%. where not only no fraud was alleged, but where, as in this case, the inability to pay the acknowledged debt of 51. was clearly established? How the Magistrates, too, could dine together, as described by VERITAS, after this scene of anguish, and consent to that dinner being paid for by the Collector of Excise (for it is true that one of them, an Alderman, did say on coming down stairs when the feast was over, "You'll put this down to the Collector of Excise as usual ") is to me one of the most astounding and incomprehensible occurrences I ever met with. I can also inform you, Sir, that it is equally true that the Collector of Excise has repeatedly paid for the dinners of Magistrates at the same Inn, and on similar occasions to that now described, and that even he has been known to demur at the extravagance thereof. Yours, with much respect, Exeter, 22d August 1825. HUMANITAS. UNREASONABLE COMPLAINT. "Weeping at a PLAY.-It is a prevailing folly to be ashamed to shed a tear at any part of a tragedy, however affecting. The reason, says the Spectator, is, that persons think that it makes them look ridiculous, by betraying the weakness of their nature. But why may not nature show itself in tragedy as well as comedy or farce? We see persons not ashamed to laugh loudly at the humours of a Falstaff or the tricks of a Harlequin; and why should not the tear be equally allowed to flow from the misfortunes of a Juliet, or the forlornness of an Ophelia? Sir Richard Steele records on this subject, a saying of Mr. Wilks, the actor, as just as it was polite-being told in the Green-room that there was a General in the boxes weeping for Juliana, he observed, with a smile, and I warrant, Sir, he'll fight ne'er the worse for that.'"-The New Times. In the name of all that is lachrymose, what would the New Times have? Good Heavens! what snuffing, what blowing of noses, what flourishing of muckingers, what snorting, and snivelling, and rubbing of eyes, and publicly weeping and wailing do we see in our Theatres on the slightest provocation. We say nothing of fits and fainting, and the burning of feathers, and the bawling for water. We fearlessly challenge any reasonable man who is dissatisfied with the degree of weeping at Plays, to go to a sentimental Comedy, and we will pay his admission money if he do not cry, hold enough. The last time that we were washed out of a Theatre was at the first representation of Clari. FAWCETT plays in this piece the part of a forlorn parent, and appears in great grief, and extremely wide breeches; the moment the audience fixed their eyes on this Dutch equipment, they clapped their hands to their handexercise of sympathy), for it struck them instantly that the large size of kerchiefs with one accord (that being the first motion in the platoon the small clothes was not without a meaning, and that they were to uederstand that the breeches had once fitted this unhappy parent, but that he had been melted down from a superior bulk by the force of sorrow; in fact, this garment seemed to speak a whole history of woe and wasting, and every hand went into the coat-pocket or the reticule, when it was walked on the stage. The handkerchief, we need not explain, is the flag of humanity, and whenever people desire to show tokens of this virtue they hoist this ensign at the peak of the nose, which is as plain a signal of distress as a ship's flag in the shrouds. These preparations always fill us with alarm, not only because we well know the rout and requisition for the services of gentlemen, and the screaming and kicking disturbance that are sure to follow-the draughts of open box doors, the in the passages and lobbies, but also as from a natural infirmity we than a moderately-sized thimble full an hour, and are, therefore, on cannot weep-barring onions, or the death of kings-at the rate of more these occasions, looked upon with disgust by our near neighbours, s ately after the fruit season, are stones. For these reasons, when we saw men possessed of the hearts of cherries, which we need not say so immedithe effect which Fawcett's exceeding wide breeches had taken on the house at the first representation of Clari, we took fright; but when his wife pressed him to sit down to breakfast, and he expressed a decided versal melting-what a sobbing and snivelling followed! There was indifference to tea and toast, on the score of grief, ye Gods, what an uni not a heart in the house that did not yield water, and out of sheer shame we did our best to make our own stone of a thing sweat a little, as stones will do in damp weather. But a celebrated Barrister near us rained so hard, and looked so grim, observing our very poor doings with such an air of disgust, that we felt extremely awkward and apprehensive of being denounced to the tender public as flinty-souled monsters, and we then made a vow never again to expose our peculiar infirmity and mani fest inferiority to other weepers at sentimental Comedies or Operas, And when submitting to this hard privation, we are astounded by reading the paragraph of the New Times above quoted, complaining of the lack of tears on these occasions. If the fact be so, indeed, all that we have to say is, that we will go to the play again when there are doldrums.-Morning Chronicle. THEATRICAL EXAMINER. ENGLISH OPERA HOUSE. A NEW, or rather, we believe, an altered or revived piece, was brought out at this theatre on Wednesday evening, entitled, The Shepherd Boy. The Marquis de la Tour, a widower with an only son, marries a second wife, who contrives to make him believe that the youth abounds with the most vicious propensities. He is in consequence placed under a tutor, who treats him with such merciless severity, that he runs away, and is thought to have died in obscurity. He however procures employment as a shepherd's boy, near his father's wife and family, becomes disgusted with his chateau in this part of own domain; and, in the mean time, the Marquis losing his second the country, which he only occasionally visits. At one of these times his life is saved from the attack of a wild boar, while hunting, by his unknown son, whom he leaves wounded, with a due provision, in the care of his master the farmer, and once more quits the country. The boy falling into a fever, the sordid farmer appropriates the money to himself, and consigns him to an hospital for lunatics, from which he is ultimately released in health, but penniless and destitute. He is however taken into the service of a charitable innkeeper, on the banks of the Seine, on his father's own estate, at which supposed period the piece opens. The innkeeper has a pretty daughter, Lucetta, who is so much interested with the hero of the piece, Aleris, that her father fears it may spoil her intended match with Ambroise the thriving steward of the Marquis. To prevent this mischief, he wishes to convince her of what he really believes himself, that the adventure of the wild boar, related by Alexis, is a remnant of the malady for which he had been sent to the hospital for lunatics. For this purpose he applies to a traveller, a Lyons merchant, who has put up at his house, to personate the Marquis, in order to show off the youth's derangement in this particular. Now the pretended Lyons merchant is the Marquis himself in disguise, and being immediately known by Alexis, a pleasant equi the commencement of the chilliness, by a warm bath, generally prevents cally and indefinitely termed marasmus in children, and dyspepsia in voque ensues, and the rejoiced innkeeper deems the success of his stratagem complete. The Marquis contrives to get Alexis away without explanation, and then, aware of the manner in which his bounty to his deliverer has been misused, promises to rectify all things, still unacquainted with the fact of his being his own now lamented son. The serious interest of the piece of course consists in the gradual manner in which the afflicted boy makes known the fact; in disclosing which, the acting of his representative, Miss KELLY, is above all praise. A few pleasant comic situations are also afforded. In one of these, Ambroise (KEELEY) arriving at the inn with a quantity of the In the fourth place, it was an admirable remedy for most of those incichoicest wines and viands from the castle, is introduced to his master pient glandular affections, or ill-conditioned chronic inflammations, which in the character of the Lyons merchant, and being enjoined to secresy, usually passed under the loose appellation of scrofula; and lastly, it was the natural humour of the actor found an opportunity for display in so exceedingly advantageous in most cutaneous affections, that its applia scene of suppressed embarrassment and confusion, which produced cation to them scarcely needed a comment. When we add, he said, its roars of laughter. On the whole, the piece possesses considerable remarkable soothing effects in most uterine and urinary irritations, and interest, notwithstanding the obvious improbability of the story, and consider all the delightful associations connected with perfect cleanli its exhibition of a glaring defect in melodrama,-that of the denoueness, we cannot but be surprised that tepid bathing should be so much neglected by the profession and the public of England. ment being anticipated from the beginning. On this account, the scene of the disclosure is too long; and would be much amended by the omission of a song, which is a most unnatural intrusion, not to mention that the undue dilation of an affecting situation uniformly weakens its pathos. We have already said that Miss KELLY was excellent, and similar praise is due to BARTLEY and KEELEY, as the innkeeper and steward. The Marquis of COOPER was also very good; and that rapidly-improving actress Miss GOWARD performed the daughter with most amusing naïveté. Nor must we forget CHAPMAN, who caricatured an old blundering tautological Magistrate with much farcical drollery. The piece completely succeeded; and curtailed about ten minutes in the final scene, would be found still more amusing. It owes, however, nearly all to the performers; it would be unbearable in the hands of mediocrity. On Thursday evening, a new two act piece, called The Stout Gentleman, was also brought out at this theatre. It is an abortion which defies narrative. Suffice it to say, that the original idea from Bracebridge Hall is only made use of in a single scene, and that most inconsistently; and that the Stout Gentleman turns out to be the fat Welchman of MATTHEWS, in his At Home, a character utterly incompatible with the arch outline of the novelist. To the panting Welchman is given, heaven knows why, a Chinese servant; and another part of the humour consists in a wag announcing to the inhabitants of the watering places that he is the Great Unknown. The whole affair was so puerile, that little of the last act was audible, owing to the clamour of opposition. MATTHEWS did his best, but even he could not get attended to at last; while poor BARTLEY, as an amateur author, and Mrs TAYLEUR, as an affected Blue, innocently endured a martyrdom of hissing for the nonsense put into their mouths by the merciless author. KEELEY, as a library shopman, alone diverted; we beg pardon, the novel-reading Chambermaid of Miss GoWARD, was also equally clever. We anticipate a harvest of future Comedy from this young lady. A good idea is spoilt in this dramatic Stout Gentleman, who is dead, and we presume buried, notwithstanding a few really whimsical allusions and passable puns. Mr BARTLEY, to be sure, talked of repetition, but the experiment will be hazardous, and he of all men should not desire it, except he has fallen in love with the fine morning gown which he sports on the occasion. We never witnessed an able actor in a more embarrassing situation. The house this evening was crowded to suffocation in every part. TEPID BATHING. Q. Dr Armstrong concluded by some remarks about the temperature of the tepid bath, which, he said, should generally range between 94 and 98, as was most agreeable to the feelings; and said that it was important that no sense of exhaustion should be produced at the time of its use, and no sense of unnatural chilliness or heat immediately afterwards; and ob served, that a feeling of warmth and refreshment were the certain signs of its agreeing with the patient.-Lancet. ADDRESS TO HOME. OH! Home, sweet home! in whose endearing name Oh! hail, and with thee thy attendant train ་ When misty twilight fades, and th' lengthen'd night His anxious fancy strays, while fond remembrance, To his sad heart depicting other days, Pourtrays thee, all-enchanting as thou art, With all the charms thou bring'st. Oh! Home, sweet home! Here will my best affections linger still, FROM THE LONDON GAZETTES. META, In the course of his lecture, Dr. Armstrong spoke repeatedly of the benefit of tepid bathing; he was confident that its application as a preventive and palliative agent was much greater than either the profession or the public had yet believed. He noticed it as a curious anomaly in the English habits, that tepid, bathing should be so much neglected among a people proverbial, in other respects, for their cleanliness, and could not account for the circumstance, without supposing that it depended partly upon the medical profession rarely recommending the use of tepid bathing, and partly upon the public prejudice about its supposed relaxing influence. In Paris, upwards of 150 public baths existed, besides establishments for portable ones, which were in great request, and supplied ata very reasonable rate; whereas in London very few public baths J. Macauley, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, schoolmaster, from Sept. 10 to existed, and only one portable bath had been recently established, which promised, however, to be very useful on account of the expedition with which it could be employed. Dr. A. considered that the advantages of tepid bathing were numerous, and, in the first place, as a preventive of inflammatory diseases. In many cases the surface of the body in this variable climate was chilled for some hours before the attack of external or internal inflammation; the continuance of chilliness was the cause of inflammation, by disordering the circulation of the blood, which, being equalized at Oct. 29. BANKRUPTCY ENLARGED. BANKRUPT W. Barnes, Miles lane, cheesemonger. Solicitors, Messrs Scott and Saturday, September 10. BANKRUPTS. J. Harpur, jun. Oxford, tailor. Solicitor, Mr Ellis, Verulam building, street. T. Every, Limehouse, anchor-smith. Solicitor, Mr Smith, Basinghall the priests have governed Spain since the days of the Cid! This R. M. Scholefield, Bradford dyer. Solicitors, Messrs Stocker and Dawson, New Boswell court, Carey street. THE FUNDS.-Consols are getting up again, and money is becoming less scarce. The Foreign market has also been very active, but the rise is not correspondent with that of British Stock. Spanish Bonds have however risen one per cent, in the presumption that the different Powers of Europe will at no distant period interfere to settle Spain. The pending reaction has operated very little upon the Share market, the true nature of which is now very generally known. Latest quotations:Consols, 88 New 4 per Cents. 103 104 Reduced, shut Consols for Account, 881 34 per Cents. reduced, shut PRICES OF FOREIGN STOCKS YESTERDAY. Brazilian Scrip, 7 dis. Ditto for Account, 7 8 dis. Colombian Bonds, 79 Ditto (1824) Account, 78 7 Greek Scrip (1825) 16 dis. Guatimala, 1 dis. Mexican Bonds, 731 Ditto for Account, 73 4 Ditto Scrip (1825) 8} } dis. Mexican Scrip Acc. 8 9 8 dis. Peruvian Bonds, 69 Ditto for Account, 68 Ditto Scrip (1825) 10 dis. Prussian Bonds, 101 Spanish Consols, 22] } Ditto for Account, 22 French Rentes, 102 f. Ditto Exchange, 25 f. 10 c. The object of G. L. is a most laudable one; but the Writer of the publication he forwards has mistaken his powers, which evidently do not lie in poetry. The Editor is sorry he cannot supply the information respecting the CAMBRIDGE SIZERS desired by an OLD SUBSCRIBER. THE EXAMINER. LONDON, SEPTEMBER 11, 1825. THE only definite Foreign News of a nature to excite any portion of interest, is made up of the accounts from Spain, by which we are instructed in the particulars of the execution of the bigotted and double traitor BESSIERES, and in the formal murders of the patriotic and gallant EMPECINADO and other Constitutionalists. The leader called the " Empecinado," it will be recollected, was the patriot who so ably organized the Guerilla warfare against the first French invasion, and was honoured and estimated accordingly. In fact, active patriotism is a crime in Spain, on whatever side exerted; and qualities which, under virtuous and free governments, would exalt men into the first rank of public characters, are in this monk-ridden kingdom an almost certain passport to the scaffold. It appears, however, that the execution of a popular and highly-esteemed Constitutional merchant at Madrid did produce a violent sensation among the spectators, not a little disagreeable to the wretched government which is so indiscriminately practising these cruelties. Some of the French papers speak of the execution of the virtuous BESSIERES with great commiseration. His merits we all know. He traitorously joined an army of invaders of his country in the first instance, and now has simply been guilty of a treasonable intent to dethrone the King whom he aided to make absolute, because he cannot, we do not say would not, massacre a third of his subjects, to gratify an atrocious horde of sanguinary priests. Such is the character for which the French Journal des Debats sports pathetics! Our own legitimate journals only drily mention the facts, with the exception of the New Times, which gravely informs the public, that they know nothing about the genuine construction of Spanish legitimacy. Ever since the days of the Cid, says Slop the Second, Spain has been governed by the priesthood, who of course defend the system against innovation. This information is marvellously like the explanation of Don Quixote to Sancho, of the nature of the smart which he endured from the staves of the Yanguesian carriers; a fact which, the irritated squire observed, required no explanation at all. However, allowing this new fact, which is undeniable, are the blessings attendant upon priestly domination to be still maintained on that account? Our journalist does not go quite so far; but then it is sufficient to make the murders of such men as RIEGO, the EMPECINADO, and others, mere venial matters; and while every little apparent rigour or informality of the Cortes was by this order of journalists trumpeted to the skies, murder follows murder, the gallies, incarceration in irons, indefinite confinement in foul dungeons, and all the sad variety of loathsome tyranny, is endured by thousands and not an ejaculation escapes these consistent men of mercy: it is legitimate and in course, and indeed natural, because tion of a letter received by the French post from a mercantile house Some sensation was created in the City on Friday, by the producin Bourdeaux, inclosing a communication from Sincapore under the the latter place of the termination of the Burmese War, by the capdate of April 9th, which announces that intelligence had just reached ture of Ummerapoora, the capital. The report is said to have been brought to Sincapore by the British ship Caroline, Captain Johnson, in seventeen days from Bangkok, the capital and chief port of Siam. The narrative is in the highest degree vague and unsatisfactory, no dates being assigned to any of the transactions; but it is said that the British Commander having captured a Burmese town, placed a garrison therein while he went forward, which garrison was massacred by the inhabitants. On this he returned, and putting every soul to the sword, proceeded without further hindrance to the Burmese capital, where a peace was concluded on the most advantageous terms. It is unnecessary to rest on statements which are simply possible, it being quite enough to say, that the news is not to be absolutely discredited on account of the route through which it has travelled, or the length of time which it has taken to reach England. There is a great arrear of intelligence due from Calcutta, from which our latest accounts are of the date of the 10th March, so that we may soon expect to learn if there be any truth in this circui tous communication. [FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.] PARIS, Sept. 6, 1825.-It has been confidently asserted here, that the object of the Duke of WELLINGTON's visit to Paris was to engage M. de VILLELE to give some semblance of a constitution to Spain. M. de VnLELE's reply was, that the present moment was a most inauspicious one for such an attempt; that a portion of Ferdinand's subjects were about revolt assume anything like a formidable attitude, nothing was more revolting against him for not being sufficiently despotic; and should the self into the arms of the insurgents. In that case, said the Duke of likely than that FERDINAND would desert his Ministers and throw himWELLINGTON, you will act as you think most prudent; but it is our determination, on the first favourable opportunity, to give something resembling a constitution to Portugal. You are well acquainted, replied M. de VILLELE, with Portugal, which you have saved; as to Spain, I have endeavoured to create a strong Ministerial party there, and my minister ZEA is not wanting in talent or finesse; but the portion of African blood that runs in the veins of the Spaniards has rendered all my efforts nugatory. The King is a madman, who is in a continual state of alarm. This, and the natural cruelty of his disposition, renders an hebdomadal execution almost necessary to him. Besides, he is an atheist, so that I have no chance of leading him by means of the priests. It is clear, that with such a King and such a people the establishment of even the phantom of a constitution is impossible. Besides, how can we be certain that the party of Don CARLOS is not in secret encouraged by the Russian Cabinet. This is the most accredited version of a conversation that has been the chief topic of political chit-chat during the past week. The pleasure felt in Paris, in having something new, important, and singular to tell, is such, that but very few affairs of this nature can be long kept secret. The recognition of the independence of Haïti was kept secret, because those in the confidence of Ministers hoped to turn its knowledge to good account at the Stock Exchange. You can form no idea of the extent to which peculation is carried in this country. The revenues of the city of Paris, amounting to 51 millions of francs, are administered by the Prefect, the Count de CHABROL. The accounts are revised by four clerks belonging to the Home Department. It is said, that 15 of the 51 millions are distributed between all those who have places in the administration of the good city. It now appears certain, that a few days before the coronation, the town of Rouen was on the point of breaking out into open revolt. The pretext was the mandement of the Archbishop Cardinal de CROY; but the reason was, the violent measures contemplated by Government, who were at that moment inclined to risk everything in support of the priests. Fiften hundred of the young men of Rouen had provided themselves with poniards. The soldiers of a regiment of the royal guard in garrison at Rouen told their officers, that they were very unwilling to massacre their countrymen. This fact is worthy of deep attention, as it shows the change that has been operated in the senti Z. THE FUNDS.-Consols commenced yesterday morning at 891, for the Account, and for some time kept at that price, the Market having a firm appearance, when, suddenly, they declined to 881. The most ridiculous reports were in circulation of the capture of Cuba by the French, and of disastrous news from India. WILLIAM WASHINGTON, a nephew of the celebrated WASHINGTON, has ritor of his uncles virtues, and filled with the greatest enthusiasm for the arrived from Malta at Hydra. This young officer of artillery, the inhe struggle in which the Greeks are engaged against the barbarians, has decided on entering into the ranks of the Greeks, and has set out for that purpose. EXECUTION OF THE EMPECINADO.-The Madrid Gazette announces the ments of the military, who seem to have acquired something of the feelings of citizens. The soldiers of the imperial guard under NAPOLEON would have gladly fired upon the Pekins, the name by which they contemptuously designated all those who did not belong to the army. If other facts should prove that such a change has taken place in the feelings of the soldiers, the Bourbons will be obliged, before long, to cease shackling public opinion, and to content themselves with spending the tragical end of this patriot. The following account of his last moments is furnished by an inhabitant of Rueda, where the unfortunate General was 40 millions they cost the country. The question most frequently asked hanged. In his will the Empecinado bequeathed four pieces of cloth, at present, but never answered, is, where will M. de VILLELE find money which belonged to him, and were in the possession of a friend, for the for the troops that are about re-entering Spain? The funds all over use of the Royalist volunteers of Rueda, from whom he had suffered such Europe are trembling, and it is said that the ROTHSCHILDS have been too horrible treatment. When he came out of the prison to undergo his much for M. de VILLELE, and that many and grievous are the heart-punishment, he became violent with rage on finding that it was intended to put him upon an ass. He refused, and went to the place of execution burnings between Jerusalem and the Rue de Rivoli. on foot with great firmness. When he had reached the foot of the gallows, he suddenly made so great an effort that he burst the cords by which his arms were confined. He then attempted to rush through the line of soldiers who surrounded him, and no doubt he would have escaped if he had been armed; but as it was, he was attacked and beaten down with blows. A rope was then passed round his neck, and the hangman, who was upon the gallows, leaped upon him, and with the assistance of some bystanders, put him to death. As this wretch was returning to Valladolid, after the execution, he was welcomed in several villages with the ringing of bells.-Courier Français. A PROFOUND PARAGRAPH.-We have not yet heard of any meeting of the proprietors of the Morning Herald newspaper being summoned to enquire into the mental condition of the Editor of that paper; but it is high time that his friends, and those of the property, should take some steps to prevent public exposure. If the facts proved against the Rev. Edw. Frank warranted the inquest in deciding, that conduct such as his, for a Clergyman, implied disordered intellects, we make bold to say, that the editorial lucubrations which appear day after day in the Herald would equally warrant a statute of lunacy against a writer who is so far gone as not to have found out by this time how thoroughly he is laughed at by his readers. To all who see the Morning Herald, any specimens we can give are of course quite superfluous: and others will hardly obtain from them an idea of the diurnal nonsense the poor man puts forth. To take a sample at random, however, the following paragraph forms one of his late leading articles—verbatim et literatim from beginning to end it would be a pity to abridge so exquisite a morceau--we have only distinguished a few words by Italics :-"From our Mansion House report, it appears that some of the better part of human nature have been applying to the Lord Mayor respecting the cruelty of some part and parcel of our agricultural interests, in suffering cattle and sheep in Smithfield to go from Saturday to Monday without water. We should like to hear of some of the Chairmen of the Agricultural Dinners going from Saturday to Monday without anything to quench their thirst, and then they might perhaps think of these same cattle, which they yearly send to Smithfield to be slaughtered, and of the suffering they must endure from thirst, after being driven from morning till night by an iron-hearted drover. It would be a good thing if that abominable nuisance, Smithfield Market, were put an end to altogether, and that butchers were obliged to go out of town to purchase their cattle."-We are not disposed to be too incredulous regarding the cruelty of our agricultural interests, but we really cannot comprehend what the Chairmen of agricultural dinners have to do with the 40 hours' want of water in Smithfield for the cattle. Humanity might condemn the experiment, but for our lives we cannot help feeling a curiosity to hear the said Chairmen very thirsty for once, from Saturday night till Monday morning: such a phenomenon in principal members of our learned societies. We must further be allowed to express our utter astonishment at the strange remedy proposednamely, the entire abolition of Smithfield market, and the compelling of the butchers to go out of town to buy their cattle!!! In his commise the men. Think of all the butchers in London sallying forth by the ration for the beasts, our Editor has hardened his heart against pity for various roads to the country, in droves,-positive droves, under a broiling sun and amid clouds of dust, in order to accommodate the oxen by buying them as they stand grazing in their owners' fields, and driving them up the shortest way to the slaughter-house! This, we submit, is going rather too far; on the same principle, every housewife in London should be compelled by Act of Parliament to trudge to Hammersmith or Fulham to buy her dish of peas or strawberries, because the donkeys who convey the former are too much flogged, and the market girls who carry the latter are too much loaded. WEST INDIAN AFFAIRS.-HECTOR MITCHELL.-This person has arrived in England, where he is not very well known, from Jamaica, where, it seems, he is now known extremely well. An extract of a letter from a Gentleman of the first respectability at Kingston, is given in the Morning Chronicle, which speaks of him in the following manner :"Mr HECTOR MITCHELL, of Kingston, is the Gentleman who, for a period of eight or nine months, most assiduously investigated into a conspiracy supposed to have existed among the Coloured Population of Jamaica (altogether unconnected with the St George's and other conspiracies among the Blacks), and which, from the mysterious demeanour he observed, and dark insinuations he threw out, during this singular examination, produced so much consternation among many respectable and wealthy families, that they immediately wound up their affairs and have since quitted the Island. He thus by unnecessary alarms drove considerable capital and many valuable individuals from the Island. Not a single individual has ever been proved to have been concerned in any rebellious design whatever through the means of the above gentleman. On the contrary, in the last Session of Assembly, the Secret Committee declared, that the Coloured Population had conducted themselves in the most exemplary and meritorious manner, and did not take the slightest notice of HECTOR MITCHELL or his examinations, which were a common jest among the Members. He is the gentleman through whose means LECESNE and ESCOFFERY were banished from the Island."-He is so; and if justice has not altogether fled the earth, those much-injured persons will yet have ample reparation for their multiplied and unmerited sufferings. Mr MITCHELL may think little of getting honest and respectable men dragged from their homes and families, and sent into banishment, like convicted felons, without a trial or even hearing: but however such doings may be tolerated in the West Indies, he has reached a country which yet contains men both able and willing to call the doers of such deeds to a proper account, and he will assuredly not escape from a rigid investigation of all his most extraordinary proceedings. There are matters yet to be brought to light which must cover all those concerned in them with signal disgrace; and Dr LUSHINGTON is not the man to relax in a cause which he has conducted to its present prosperous condition. We understand that his able statement in Parliament made such a powerful impression, that several Members, usually opposed to him in politics, came forward with offers of aid for the banished individuals one of them, a worthy Baronet, with a spirit becoming an English Gen-acoustics however ought not to be exhibited without the presence of the tleman, subscribing at once a hundred guineas for their support. In due time, we shall give the names of all those excellent persons who have opened their hearts and their pockets, and exerted their talents, in the cause of oppressed humau nature. The rumour is again circulated of an immediate dissolution of Parliament. We can state positively that this rumour is wholly without foundation. Nothing is at present decided upon the question. A Cabinet Council will be held between the 20th and 24th of the present month; but whether the subject will then be taken into consideration, and if so, what may be the decision, are points upon which we do not of course presume to offer an opinion.—Courier. Some convicts arrived in London a few days back from the Isle of Man, in order to be sent on board the hulks, in pursuance of their sentence of transportation; they were heavily loaded with irons; one of the prisoners affirmed that he had worn the same fetters which he then had on for the last six months; the weight of them was said to be 151b. or 16lb. This is certainly contrary to the last Act of Parliament, passed for the regulation of gaols. The custom of ironing prisoners even before trial, still prevails in many of the county gaols: in that for Ely it is, or was a short time back, the case; and upon a gentleman noticing the impropriety of the custom, it was alleged that it was necessary for the safe custody of the prisoners, the walls not being sufficiently lofty. Why are they not raised, then?" was the question. "Oh, Sir," replied the officer of the gaol," the building is kept in repair at the expense of the Bishop." Times. The announced comedy of Paul Pry, forthcoming at the Haymarket, is, we understand, by Mr. POOLE. FIRES.-About two o'clock yesterday morning, a fire broke out in the extensive chair manufactory of Mr Nash, in Robert street, Lambeth Marsh. From the scarcity of water, the flames raged for some time with great fury. By five o'clock the fire had burnt itself out, having destroyed all the property on the premises.-Another fire broke out about twelve o'clock, in the dwelling-house of Mr Hogarth, Prospect place, Whitechapel. By the timely arrival of the firemen, the fire was confined to the premises of Mr Hogarth, though not until it had done very conside rable damage. LONDON MECHANICS' INSTITUTION.-On Wednesday, the seventh quarterly meeting of this institution was held at their theatre, in South-Chronicle at the Police-office, have been replied to by the Editor of that ampton Buildings; the President, Dr Birkbeck, in the chair. A report paper, who contradicts most of the assertions made by the Hon. Member. MR MARTIN. This Gentleman's complaints against the Morning of the Committee of Management was read, from which it appeared that the progress of the Institution has been such as to exceed the most sanguine expectations of its friends and supporters. Five hundred and representations; we hold him forth (if that must be the phrase), as a "When Mr Martin (observes the Editor), said that we hold him forth twenty-five new members were added during the last quarter, making character very different from these, and about as different from that of as a scoundrel and a rascal,' he was not more accurate than in his other the whole number at present 1,483. A considerable number of the mem- Solomon, or any other worthy that can be named as famous for judg bers receive instruction, in the schools of arithmetic, mathematics, draw-ment, or temper, or luminousness of mind, and clearness of ideas. As ing, and French, and their great attention has been amply rewarded by a suming, as we are perhaps bound in good manners to do, that the object rapid progress towards proficiency. The philosophical and mechanical Mr Martin proposes to himself is good, we nevertheless must regard him apparatus has been greatly increased; and the library so extended by as a sort of Marplot, an unlucky busy-body, who, possibly with the best liberal donations and extensive purchases, that in the course of the en-intentions in the world, works more mischief by his blundering, than suing month the Committee will be able to establish a circulating library another man would effect by deliberate malice. We have exerted ourfor the use of all the members. The report concluded by congratulating selves to discourage the unlucky labours of Mr Martin, because in his the members on the bright prospect of the realization of the highest professed zeal for brutes, we perceive too plainly that he is making his hopes they could have formed of the success of the institution, and on the law an instrument of cruelty to men; and we most especially dislike to zeal, activity, and harmony by which all their proceedings were characterized. Mr Cope, Secretary of the Building Committee, read a report, is by far too hotly interested a party to be a good evidence, not to speak by which it appeared that the theatre cost 3,7001. the whole of which of that characteristic confusion of intellect which by no means recomsee him in the character of a witness in his own prosecutions, because he was advanced by Dr Birkbeck, and that 1,1707. had been expended on mends him as an accurate reporter." other buildings and improvements. One of the auditors read a report on the state of the accounts of the institution, by which it appeared that their finances are in a most flourishing condition, there being a balance of upwards of 1,000l. in their banker's hands. All the reports were agreed to. Thanks were voted to all the officers of the institution. On thanks being voted to Dr Birkbeck, which was followed with the greatest applause, that gentleman, in making his acknowledgments, observed, that the example of the London Mechanics' Institution had excited such a desire for a participation in the blessings it was calculated to impart, all over the country, that the most gratifying accounts were constantly receiving of the formation of new institutions: he had received two such accounts that day. And it must be delightful to every friend of human improvement and happiness to find, that their establishment was uniformly attended with increased order in conduct and respectability in character, confirming in every respect the opinion formed by those who had assisted in the establishment of the London Institution, of their important results and extensive utility.-The meeting, which was well attended, then broke up. NEWSPAPER CHAT. culation. I have examined into it, and find his error to arise from having taken his estimate in wine measure instead of beer measure, the NEW RIVER COMPANY.-Your Correspondent is incorrect in his calhogshead of the former measuring 63 gallons, while that of the latter is 54 gallons. 78,000,000 of hogsheads, at 54 gallons per hogshead, is 11,539,726 by eight pints to the gallon, is 92,317,808 pints of water, sup plied daily by the New River Company to its numerous tenants, and not 107,704,109 pints, as stated in the last No. of the Examiner. The East London Company's supply is as stated to you in my last communication. A CONSTANT READER AND DIRECTOR OF THE WATER COMPANY. PRIESTLY GOOD CHEER.-Some ancient writers, as well as learned annotators of modern times, have used the term theological or clerical to Lexicon to Hesiod, a wine extolled by that poet is characterized as denote "the best" things in eating and drinking. Thus, in Pasor's having been a vinum theologicum; and Henry Stephens, in his chapter "on the gluttony and drunkenness of churchmen," shows that the equi NEW LITERARY INSTITUTION.-The first half-yearly meeting of the City of London Literary and Scientific Institution, established for the promotion of useful knowledge amongst the commercial and professional youth of this metropolis, was held at Albion Hall, Moorgate, on Wednes-valent phrase may be found in Horace. day evening. The room was filled with young tradesmen, merchants, and bankers' clerks, and others connected with some of the most respectable houses in the city; C. P. Thompson, Esq. in the chair. Mr Stacey, the Secretary, read the report, which stated, that within three months nearly 600 of the commercial youth of the city had come forward to form the institution, which, as soon as they could obtain suitable premises for their lecture room and library, so as to be enabled to enter into full operation, would doubtless exhibit a splendid example of the desire existing for mental cultivation. Upwards of 7007. in donations had been received from a number of bankers and traders, who were desirous of encouraging the pursuits contemplated in the Institution. Other gentlemen had made donations of valuable books. A number of literary and scientific persons had come forward with offers of gratuitous lectures. Dr Mitchell of New Broad-street, had given two lectures on the use of the globes. Mr Black had commenced a course of lectures on the paidophilean system of teaching languages. Dr Spier had commenced a course of lectures on physiology; Mr Bankes had offered them a course of lectures on Belles Lettres; Mr M'Intyre had offered a course on botany; Mr James Taylor, on music; Mr Crombie, on the topography of London; and Mr Partington had delivered part of a course of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy. The offers of professors to teach the languages were highly encouraging. In fact, by the facilities which their system of mutual co-operation offered, the youth of the city would be enabled to obtain the advantages of an after-education of the highest order, comprising a knowledge of the sciences, and of the living and dead languages, calculated to enable them to fill any situation with honour and advantage to their fellow-citizens. The report concluded with a strong expression of the obligation under which the institution considered itself to the liberal and enlightened part of the public press. Mr G. W. Prescott, of the house of Prescott and Co. (one of the auditors), read a statement of the accounts of the Institution, from which it appeared that, after payment of all the first expenses, there remained a balance of 1,0001. When the Institution was first projected, they were asked "What the clerks cared for mental improvement? What did young tradesmen care for but money-getting, and eating and drinking?" It was asserted that none could be found to co-operate. The friends of education could give a triumphant answer to those objections now. Some who were wise in their generation had expressed serious apprehensions as to the consequences of opening the gates of knowledge or science wide to all comers, as if good sense, which it was their object to promote, was not the best guarantee for a man's being a good subject, and performing is duties well in whatever situation he might be placed.-Mr Elliott moved the thanks of the Society to Dr Mitchell. It was carried unanimously. States, by the late census, is 9,629,000. Of this number it is stated that 2,065,000 are engaged in agriculture, 349,000 in manufactures, and AMERICAN STATISTICS.-The whole number of people in the United 72,000 in commerce. Only the efficient or labouring persons in each class appear to have been enumerated. Add the women, the children, and the invalids, and there will be found to be about 8,000,000 in the agricultural class, 200,000 in the commercial, and 1,300,000 in the manufac turing. In England the agricultural class does not exceed one third of the whole population.—American Paper. observed a hawk descend, and rise again immediately with something in shops at seven o'clock during the winter. chester, where he was buried, was, at his death, 116 years of age, and 1 reign, returning from Italy, chose to pass through Provence, and the keys of the first town he entered were presented to him on a golden dish MODESTY AND SELF-DEVOTION.-Francis I. at the beginning of his by the daughter of one of the principal inhabitants, the handsomest girl in the place. The King gazed upon her for some time, with looks so immediately retired, and resolved to take shelter in a monastery: but reflecting that the King, if he pleased, could pursue her thither, she expressive and so full of royal omnipotence, that, in great confusion, she lighted some sulphur, and inclined her head over the smoke long enough to spoil her complexion.-Thierry's History of the Norman Conquest. ORIGINAL SIN.-It would be but a wretched compliment of condolence lost her infant son, to say, to a Queen of China, of Japan, or India, Scythia, or Gothia, who had just Prince Royal is now in the clutches of five hundred devils, who turn him round and round in a great furnace to all eternity, while his body rests "Be comforted, Madam; his Highness the embalmed and in peace within the precincts of your palace." The astonished and terrified Queen enquires why those devils should eternally it is, that his great grandfather formerly ate of the fruit of the tree of roast her dear son the Prince Royal? She is answered, that the reason of knowledge in a garden. Form an idea, if possible, of the looks and thoughts of the King, the Queen, the whole Council, and all the beautiful ladies of the Court!-Philosophical Dictionary. |