cial men coming forward to advance the culture of intellect among those WESTERN LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION. who were employed by them; but this naturally followed the growth of On Thursday night a Meeting was held at Freemasons' Hall, for the commercial wealth, a part of which was thus liberally applied in the way purpose of considering the propriety of establishing a literary and most useful for commerce itself. He thought, in these bright prospects, scientific Institution, for the accommodation of persons engaged in comhe saw the days of the Medici restored, when the wealth of trade was mercial and professional pursuits in the western parts of the metropolis. bartered for books, and when these vestiges and symbols, as well as At eight o'clock the Chair was taken by Henry Drummond, Esq., sup- future seeds of science and literature, were held in the high estimation ported by Mr Brougham, Mr Hobhouse, Mr Thomas Campbell, Sir they deserved by a commercial people. If knowledge was not, as has John Paul, Mr Peter Moore, the Hon Douglas Kinnaird, Dr Birkbeck, been said, power, it was at least virtue, and ignorance was vice. The Dr Gilchrist, Dr Golding, Mr Wright, Mr Grote, and Mr Basil Mon- converse of the proposition was equally good, that with knowledge they understood what they gained by virtue, and what they lost by pursuing tagu, &c. The CHAIRMAN Congratulated the meeting on the co-operation which a contrary course. (Hear, hear!) Knowledge without virtue was cal they were likely to receive in the pursuit of their great object. He culated to make a fiend or a demon capable of prostrating mankind, "breathing pestilence and death," and blighting and blasting the fairest pointed out that the advantages intended to be offered by this institution were-first, a library and reading room, as a place of rational recreation hopes of the world. (Applause.) It was delightful to contemplate this and instruction for persons whose attendanca in business was not re- general taste for literature, and the desire for reading books, which perquired during the evening. Secondly, the procuring lectures to be de- vaded the community. An ingenious person had well said, that books were "the dead friends who never flattered nor deceived." They comlivered on various branches of science and literature, and the formation of classes for teaching languages, and generally to provide facilities for forted them in affliction, they consoled in despair. It was said by a great The man of ancient times, Cicero, when speaking of literature," These stu the acquisition of valuable instruction at a moderate expence. Chairman then forcibly impressed upon the meeting the admitted truth, dies are the food of our youth; they are the consolation of our age. They that idleness was the parent of vice, and the value of an institution form the charms of private life, they add grace to public society. They which was calculated to diffuse information and virtue in society. He accompany us when we travel abroad, they associate with us when we remain at home. They assist our labours by day, they beguile our repose believed that they would receive a donation of 300 books in the course of the evening, and he knew that many distinguished characters in- at night." The Honourable Member concluded by declaring his cordial assent to the business which the Meeting had determined to promote, and tended to give the institution their support. by assuring them that they should have his warmest good wishes and support. (Applause).

Sir JOHN PAUL moved the first Resolution, which was declaratory of the value of a Western Literary and Scientific Institution. The best assistance which could, he thought, be afforded to the new Institution, was in donations of books.

The second resolution was then put, when

Dr GILCHRIST objected to the words "engaged in commercial and professional pursuits" in the resolution, and wished the word " commercial" to be omitted; for it tended to limit the object of an institution which was meant to be general.

Dr MITCHELL, and one or two other gentlemen, explained away the force of Dr Gilchrist's objection, and the resolution was adopted by the meeting in its original form.

Mr THOMAS CAMPBELL, in seconding this motion, said, that he should be wanting in his duty as a citizen, as a lover of letters, as an orthodox believer in the high value of institutions for the dissemination of knowledge, were he not a cordial supporter of the object they were assembled to promote. He gloried in having been one of the original founders of the London University, not that these institutions were necessarily conMr BROUGHAM came forward to propose the third Resolution, and was nected, or could be made substitutes for the University; but, nevertheless, they had his approbation, because they tended to give an impulse loudly cheered. He said that he looked upon this Institution as one in to literary acquirements, and to the expansion of thought. There were, its nature general, and which comprehended persons of all political parhe regretted to know, prejudices afloat against education, which it be- ties, of every religious sect, indeed, of all descriptions of persons, who, came those who thought as he did to expose and refute. Were these whether imperfectly educated already, or tolerably well educated themobjections confined to the scandalous part of the public press-to the selves, were nevertheless anxious to establish a place of resort, during nightmen and scavengers of the periodical portion of it-he would be their evening's leisure, where they could cultivate and improve a taste disposed to treat them with the utmost contempt; but they were found, for literary studies. The greatest importance, however, of this underunfortunately, to exist in other quarters, and to be harboured by well-taking was, that it was to all intents and purposes a Clerk's Institution. meaning, though mistaken men. Mr Campbell then proceeded, at some (Hear, hear!) It was intended to be peculiarly adapted to that most length, to ridicule and refute a work of Dr Whittaker, in which that useful, and numerous, and worthy class of men in Westminster, whose person asserted, that the institution of public libraries threatened to cor- days were usefully spent in commerce, whose evenings were mostly very rupt public morals, and to depress alike the learned professions, and much unoccupied, and therefore liable to be ill-occupied. It was very learned men. He boldly asked, how it was possible in these times to desirable they should have the means of forming an institution like that have learned men living in society with darkness around them? If they now proposed; and it was peculiarly gratifying to find that the principal could so abide, they would appear like giants among a race of dwarfs-commercial men themselves were ready and anxious to encourage and like Cyclops among the blind. (A laugh). He contrasted the nobler oc- promote these most beneficial establishments. (Hear, hear!) It was well cupation of intellectual pleasures with any of those frivolous, if not vi- said of idleness, that it opened the door to mischief and misery; but if he cious pursuits, with which too many young men were prone from want added that idleness itself was misery, he should not express one iota beof others to employ themselves in their hours of leisure, and urged how yond the truth. (Hear, hear!) Upon the general advantage derivable fitter the culture of mind was for the genius and station of Englishmen, by the community from these establishments, all he could say had been who ought to enjoy, not kill their time, in a manner worthy of freemen, most eloquently anticipated by his Honourable Friends who had preceded and who ought to seek, in the cultivation of their minds, the sweet ob- him; but there was still one view in which he thought they would prove livion of their daily care. (Applause). This ought to be the intent and eminently advantageous-they would stimulate the highest ranks to make purpose of man, to shew himself worthy of having received at his birth the most of that valuable 'leisure which they enjoyed in the improvethe sweet impress and image of his creator. (Hear?). When last in Prus- ment of their own education, so as to set an example to those under them; for the more they improved themselves the bettter able would they be to sia, he had almost felt sensations of envy for royal power, when he saw the magnificent endowments provided for education by Frederick Wil-improve others; and this stimulus would, he had no doubt, eventually liam III. The King applied the great means at his disposal as he pervade all classes in society, from the highest to the lowest. The great pleased, and it was delightful to find that it pleased him to diffuse edu-assistance which the higher orders could give institutions like these was cation among his people. (Hear!). True, he was a member of the Holy by their advice, their counsel, their example; pecuniary assistance was Alliance; he was sorry he was so; but perhaps he could not help it. (4 of course necessary at the establishment, but afterwards, above all things, Laugh). If, however, they compared with London alone the wealth of all these institutions ought to be maintained by the classes which more parPrussia, the former would preponderate. It was gratifying, then, to see ticularly derived a benefit from them (Hear, hear!); and these likewise their fellow-citizens voluntarily coming forward to promote this great should have their substantial management. He was as much gratified spirit of moral and intellectual improvement, in which they would uiti- as his Honourable Friends at the manner in which so many of the commately shine as pre-eminent in the eyes of the world as they had hitherto mercial men of Westminster came forward to support the present instiLet them go on and tution. done by the glory of their arts and their arms. prosper. In conclusion, he should only exhort them to bear in mind the poet's striking recommendation that they should

"On reason build resolve,

"That column of true dignity in man.'

Mr WRIGHT (the banker) in proposing the 2d Resolution, alluded to the circunstance of his being a Catholic, which forty years ago would have prevented his being called upon, as he was now, to assist in this great work; but the growth of knowledge had dispersed prejudice, and all men were delighted to co-operate for a public benefit, He declared himself a cordial friend of the new institution. (Applause.)

Mr GEORGE GROTE seconded the Resolution.

Dr BIRKBECK, in proposing the fourth Resolution, reviewed the recent progress of education in this country, and congratulated the Meeting on its auspicious result.

Mr DOUGLAS KINNAIRD, in seconding this resolution, declared his intention of affording the young men of his establishment the means of becoming members of this institution (at his own personal expense), the value of which he highly appreciated.

Mr PETER MOORE also praised the institution, and promised to give their library a present of books which were once intended for the private collection of his late friend Richard Brinsley Sheridan.

Mr HOBHOUSE, in seconding this resolution, had to apologize for the absence of Sir Francis Burdett, who was prevented by illness from doing himself that honour, which he (Mr H.) felt he was receiving, by attending ing such a meeting as this. (Applause). It was a new era, not indeed in the history of the world, but in modern times, to find great commer

Some other Gentlemen addressed the Meeting in proposing the remainResolutiens for the practical management of the institution. A Committee was appointed, thanks were voted to the Chairman, and the Meeting broke up.

NORTH AMERICA.

houses and stores, were carried to the rivers with amazing velocity, to such an extent, and affecting the water in such a manner, as to occasion large quantities of salmon and other fish to resort to the land, hundreds af which were scattered on the shores of the North and South West Branches, Chatham at present contains about three hundred of the unfortunate sufferers, and almost every hour brings with it great numbers from the back settlements, burnt, wounded, or in the most abject state of distress. At this scene the heart sickens, to see the widows, widowers, and orphans, that are without clothing, homes, or the means of subsistence; and it is impossible, at this early period, to say how many hundreds have been added to the dead, or have survived to know that a father, mother, sister, or brother, has been devoured by the flames or perished by the ware. In a situation, therefore, of such unparalleled calamity, it is hoped the hand of humanity will be extended to relieve the sufferings of our fellow creatures, and administer a balm to the torn feelings and wants of those who have been deprived of their dearest and best friends, and cast on the humanity of the world perfect beggars."

GARDEN-ROBBERY ACT.

DREADFUL FIRE AT MIRAMICHI (From the Halifax Free Press of October 18.)-A most painful duty this day devolves on us-that of recording an astonishing and dire calamity which has befallen the province of New Brunswick, involved multitudes in death or ruin, and visited a large extent of country with unsparing desolation. On Thursday last a verbal account was received of the conflagration which has taken place at Fredericton, by which 30 houses and 39 barns were consumed, caused by a fire in the woods adjacent to that town; and a rumour at that time prevailed that some of the back settlements near Miramichi had experienced a similar fate. But while anxiety was on the stretch for correct information from Fredericton, the intelligence of the disaster at Miramichi arrived, and for the time the calamity that had been expected at the one place was lost in the contemplation of that which had befallen the other It seems that the woods in that part of the country had been for some time on fire. On the 7th instant the flames acquired an ascendancy, which rendered flight in some instances impracticable, and resistance unavailing. The alarming progress of this destructive element had been concealed by the state of the atmosphere, which it occasioned, until the night of that day, when, aided by a hurricane which increased its violence The author of the Bill making it felony to steal from gardens, has and rapidity, it burnt with uncontrolable fury upon the heads of its de- certainly contributed very largely to the increase of the stock of criminals voted victims. In most cases, the unsuspecting beings, suddenly aroused in this country. Till we saw some of the Sessions calendars, we had no from their slumbers, were unable to dress themselves, and immediate de-idea of the amount of the evil which this measure has inflicted on the struction was the consequence of a moment's delay. So instantaneous country. The number of boys who have been committed as felons, and were the effects of the fire, that many persons who were saved owe their thus forced to associate with the most depraved of mankind, for breaking preservation to the vicinity of the river, into which they threw themselves, orchards, almost equals the number of criminals of all descriptions in and were taken up by boats, or escaped on rafts of timber. In that part some extensive kingdoms. Let us take, as an instance, the Sessions of Miramichi called Newcastle, out of 250 houses but 14 escaped. Near Calendar for the Hundred of Salford. We find in it, Nos. 86 and 87, two hundred persons in the vicinity of Miramichi alone perished in the James Oates and Henry Dray, aged 14, committed on the 22d of August, flames; and the loss of lives in the interior of the forests, where escape for stealing apples from a certain tree in the orchard of John Blomiley, was impossible, must have been immense. The survivors are many of Wroe. These boys were thus imprisoned two months and odd days them dreadfully mutilated; and the sick and several of the dying can no prior to their trial. Again we find, Nos. 195 and 196, William Hunt, longer obtain the slightes; shelter from the severity of the weather. An aged 15, and John Lamb, aged 14, committed for stealing apples at event so replete with horror, is probably of rare occurrence, and the Cheetham, from the orchard of James Howarth, Nos. 83 and 84, tidings of it have been met in Halifax with that compassionate feeling Edward Williams and Ellis Jones, aged 24 and 17, committed on the which they must universally excite. A Committee of Management was 22d August, for stealing from an orchard. No. 110, William Davis, aged appointed, and 2,000l. were soon collected. Vessels were despatched 21, for stealing pears from a tree at Cheetham, committed on the 6th of with provisions, and a large supply of clothing and other necessaries were September. All these cases fall evidently under the head of juvenile shipped on board the Orestes, which sailed this forenoon for Miramichi. indiscretion rather than felony. The following, however, seems of a A gentlemen arrived in town yesterday from Miramichi, which place he felonious nature:-No. 136, Wm. Horrocks, aged 72, charged with stealleft on Tuesday, states generally, that the fire continued to rage near the ing at Heap, on the 16th of September, apples and pears from the garden scene of the recent conflagration, and accounts had been received of the of John Fenlon and James Fenlon. There is a material difference loss of several lives. One instance he mentions where, of a party of 16 between the commission of the act by a boy or youth, and by an old man of 72, on whom it is indicative of a confirmed predatory disposition. persons, but three of them had escaped.

Further particulars brought by the William Dawson, which arrived at Liverpool on Tuesday: MIRAMICHI, Oct. 11.-On the night of the 7th inst. this place exhibited one of the most terrific scenes that a conflagration is capable of producing. The climate, for two days previous, was so intensely close and warm, that all doubt was removed as to some great are existing in the woods, and on the approach of the night of the 7th it commenced its sad devastation. The wind blew a violent hurricane from the north west, and brought with it, from Douglastown, Newcastle, and the surrounding country, such immense clouds of flames and ashes, that it became extremely difficult to retain any position, or to breath at Chatham. The appearance of the heavens was awful: representing, as far as the eye was capable of extending, but one unvarying body of flames; the effect of which was frightfully increased from the appaling roar of the fire through the country in all quarters, the wind blowing with such violence as to occasion the air to resound with one incessant thunder. Among the vessels in the river, a number were cast on shore, three of which, namely the Concord, Canada, Jane, were consumed; others were fortunately, extinguished after the fire had attacked them. At Douglastown scarcely, any kind of property escaped the ravage of the fire, which swept to the surface every thing coming in contact with it, including the extensive mercantile establishment of Messrs Gilmour, Rankin, and Co. Messrs W. Abrams and Co. together with their vessels then on the stocks; as also the property of numerous others, leaving but time for the unfortunate inhabitants to fly to the shore, and there, by means of boats, canoes, rafts or any article, however ill calculated for the purpose, endeavour to escape from the dreadful scene, and reach the town of Chatham, numbers of men, women, and children, perishing in the attempt. The town of Newcastle, with all the surrounding settlements, became a total waste, excepting about fourteen buildings. Among those which were laid in ashes were the Court-house, Church, Barracks, and Gaol, and for miles les through all parts of the interior of the country, where mercantile, farming, and timber business were carried on to a great extent, the greatest ravages and desolation took place. The remote settlements, from the entrance of the river to the extreme of it, present to the eye the dreadful havoc of this calamitous event, particularly those of the North West Branch, the Baltibog, and Nappan, some of which have scarcely a place of habitation left; and the lives that were lost are innumerable; the shores, at almost every change of the wind, exhibiting dreadful spectacles of the burnt and drowned. In some parts of the country the cattle have all been destroyed or suffered greatly, and the very soil, in many places, has been parched and burnt up, and no article of provision, to speak of, has been rescued from the flames, either at Newcastle or at Douglastown. The hurricane, raged with such dreadful violence, that large bodies of Simber on fire, as also trees from the forest, and parts of the faming

This is the way in which criminals are manufactured in England. We crowd our gaols with persons deserving, at most, of a slight fine; they ruined in reputation, and ready to practise the arts which they have enter innocent, and depart initiated in all the mysteries of thieving, have committed an act amounting to theft in the usual acceptation of the been taught, It is more than probable, that no one of these boys would word; but it will be a miracle if any of them remain hereafter in the paths of honesty.

counties of England stript a gaol of its ignominy, and the people are not By indulging so lavishly in commitment, we have in several of the more indifferent whether they receive their allowance from the parishes or from their employers, than they are whether they shall be lodged in a gaol or in any other abode. We have heard it stated by Magistrates, that young women in service, having the slightest difference with their mistresses, are not in the least deterred from quitting their places by the threat of commitment to a House of Correction. The horror of a prison, which once prevailed in the country, no longer exists.

Indeed, we have only to look at the Parliamentary Reports, under Provisions of the Gaol Act, to be satisfied that the Aristocracy of England, in their double capacity of Legislators and Magistrates, have nearly destroyed all regard to character in the peasantry. In the Reports ordered to be printed, Feb. 7, 1825, we find, in the agricultural county of Bedford, the prisoners in the common gaol at Michaelmas 1824, amounted in number to 33, and in the House of Correction to 28. Of the prisoners in the common gaol, 21 had been committed once before, 9 twice, 5 three times, and I upwards of four times. Of the prisoners in the House of Correction, 31 had been committed once before, 7 twice, and 1 three times. In the House of Correction at Petworth, in Sussex, 23 had been committed once before, 16 twice, 7 three times, 3 four and more times.But it is useless to multiply instances.

It is observed in private families, that parents who temper their vigilance with kindness, and are sparing in the application of punishment, have uniformly the best-behaved children, and that, on the other hand, the children of parents who are perpetually punishing, almost uniformly turn out ill.-The Squirarchy of England behave to the people like these severe parents, punishing them without mercy and without discrimination. We see the woeful fruits in crowded gaols and long calendars, in the insensibility to disgrace, and the obliteration of all sound feeling and decent pride.

With respect to the barbarous measure, making the breaking of gardens felony, it has produced still more mischievous effects than we anticipated. For one garden broken before, there will be ten broken hereafter, for no man who has any bowels of compassion will ever send a poor boy to mingle with depraved criminals in a prison. Boys who might have been afraid to encounter instant chastisement, will speculate on

H. Fell, Grocers' Hall court, merchant. Solicitor, Mr Brough, Shore-internal conflict between one species of baleful ascendancy and anoditch.

many

A Paris correspondeut assures us, that the health of the young Ditor of Bordeaux has much deteriorated of late-that he suffers from a scrofulous distemper-that one of his legs is in a state which causes great anxiety, and that his immediate relatives do not now rely upon him with so much confidence as formerly to continue their august dynasty. Thus the French have cause to apprehend that the "Child of Miracles," as M. de Chateaubriand called him, may not live to prolong the race of Saint Louis, and that his premature decay may spoil many a bright anticipation, or falsify remains behind. The whole family of the Bourbons, as might be expected, a fine prophecy. But the most curious part of our correspondent's letter are thrown into alarm, and the old King, like a man in a panic, is said to have adopted the desperate resolution of marrying again, and giving France another chance for good government. The illustrious lady who is destined for the honour of his hand is stated to be a Princess of Saxony, and widow of the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Though both in the same state with respect to widowhood. the age of the Princess is very different from that of her intended husband, she being, we believe, about 30, and he just, 68 on Thursday last.-Times.

Brazil are invited to send agents; and it is announced that arrangements will be made to prevent future European colonization in the American hemisphere.. These indications, from habit, are looked upon with little surprise at present; but posterity will most likely regard the existing era as very specially interesting. In American posterity, at least, it cannot fail of inspiring the most grateful and patriotic emotions. From France we gather that the mission of Mr HUSKISSON has failed, in relation to a commercial treaty, and other liberal objects in regard to trade. M. VILLELE, it is said, dwells upon an indisposition to such a change of policy in the Chamber of Deputies. The truth more probably is, that he feels that his unpopularity unfits him for the patronage of any bold measure of alteration and improvement. Whatever the scheme, it would inevitably be strenuously opposed as coming from him; for such is more especially the character of French opposition, as, to say the truth, it has to often been of that of England. We suspect at the same time, that political economy makes very slow advances as a study in France, and that, as in duty bound, they last, Mr James Goffe, schoolmaster, universally lamented by that circle in FREE PEOPLE OF COLOUR.-Died in Kingston, Jamaica, in September follow English industry in the discovery and application of general which he was long known, and by whom his virtues and abilities could be principles, with the same hesitating and pious humility, as they fol-appreciated. He was accompanied to his grave by an immense concourse lowed the discoveries of Bacon and Newton in the exclusion of Aris- of his friends; including those whose education and morals he was the totle and Descartes. active means of perfecting.-At the close of that service which is the ordinary tribute of the Church, the rector (the Rev. Mr Mann) added a public oration. "The grave," said he, “has closed on one of whose virtues I have been an eye witness. He was a man who, to the useful instructions which he administered to youth, added the precepts and example of a moral and religious life. My young friends, added he, to those of the pupils who attended, and a simultaneous burst of tears and sighs spoke the feelings with which every bosom had been struggling,My young friends, you are deprived of a tutor whose virtues and whose his life, and in which he has left nothing but regret by his death. May merits have rendered him a loss to the community which he honoured by eulogium was paid to the memory of one of those hitherto-degraded his memory live amongst you as an imperishable example. The abore members of society," the Free People of Colour," whose case we have so often brought before the public. It is however with pleasure we perceive that the Government of England seems determined to do away with the restrictions under which they have so long been oppressed.-Mr Goffe was one of the individuals who made affidavit in behalf of Mr Licesne, whose schoolmaster he was, and whom the Jamaica Attorney-General included in his sweeping charge of conspiracy and perjury. The opinion however expressed over his grace by a Minister of the Church of England, will assist to silence the tongue of slanderers.

It is pleasant to observe that the Haïtian Loan has found its way to the English market, and that it met with a reception which forms the finest answer in the world to sundry admirable physiological lectures on the physical incapacities of Negroes, and the philanthropic endeavour to transform them into a merely superior species of apes "with foreheads villainous low." The English island planters must direct their London agents to fee the John Bull again; or it may go near to be thought, that of the two human grades in the scale of creationthe Negro and the Negro-driver-the former, although last in the race, has every chance of arriving first at the goal. We must not forget to remark, that private letters from Paris speak of the young Duke of BOURDEAUX as a very sickly specimen of Bourbon royalty, and that CHARLES X has magnanimously determined to marry again, to effectually cut off the presumptive succession from the House of Orleans after the childless Dauphin. These are high resolves, and a few magnificent vows to the Virgin Mary and St Denis will doubtless render them eventful. Calcutta papers have arrived this week, detailing the situation of the British army at Prome. It is but an indifferent account, as indicative of a termination of the warfare, no overtures for peace having been THE BOURBONS AND THE HOLY ALLIANCE-One passage in Mr yet received. On the contrary, it is said that the conquest of the capital may produce no demand for a cessation of hostilities, and Canning's Reply to Zea Bermudez is remarkable, and will excite mach sensation on the Continent. M. Zea having accused our Cabinet of incenthat our small army may be called upon to run after the retreating sistency in striking at the principle of Legitimacy by the late recognition, court all over the Burmese territory. The details are very unin-after having upheld that principle in the long and costly war teresting. The Court of Thursday was marked by a memorable event-the pre-against Napoleon was in support of Legitimacy, and explicitly states, that sentation of M. Hurtado, as Minister from Columbia-the first Minister

of any of the new states whose diplomatic character has yet been recognized in this formal manner. M. Hurtado presented his credentials, and was most graciously received. It was a happy coincidence enough that at the very same Court, Mr Rufus King, the new Minister from the United States, was also presented for the first time.

DANCING IN FRANCE.-Both persons and letters from the provinces agree in stating that the greater number of Curès prohibit dancing in their parishes, and sometimes they refuse the sacrament to those who participate in this amusement, not admitting them to be either godfathers or godmothers, and they extend this severity even to the poor fiddler, who on festivals collects some small sum to give his children bread; dancing is there an enormous crime. This diversion, which may be traced to the earliest ages, which is met with every where, among savages and civilized is immoral! But if this is the case, why is it permitted at our public festivals, by the orders of a pious ministry, in the bosom of which sits a Bishop, and under the inspection of our severe police? Dancing should be either generally prohibited, or allowed to all; if it is immoral, let the opulent and noble set the example of leaving it off? but if they dance, allow the people to forget the recollection of their toils, by an amusement to which they are accustomed.-Constitutionnel.

men,

EMBEZZLEMENT.-Some of the London papers, at the beginning of the week, spoke of the sudden disappearance of an eminent solicitor; and we find in the Scotsman of Wednesday last the following paragraph :-“ An embezzlement upon the Bank of England, to a very large amount, bas been discovered. The delinquent is the junior partner of the solicitors of the Bank of England-a gentleman named Kay, of the house of Kay, Freshfield and Kay. We are told that he was induced to commit this crime by the failure of speculations in the funds and in the share market. The amount which the bank will ultimately lose has not been correctly ascertained, and is therefore differently stated; but Mr Kay's long connection with the Directors, and the confidence reposed in him, gave him great facilities in the accomplishment of his purpose. It is not known with any degree of certainty to what part of the world he has fled, but some circumstances that have transpired indicate that he has bent his way to the United States.--Edinburgh Observer,

against Napoleon, Mr Canning, in answer, denies that the war

"After Bonaparte was set aside, there was a question among the Allies, of the possible expediency of placing some other than a Bourbon on the throne of France."-We heartily rejoice at this indisputable record of a fact which, though of course well known to many individuals, understood by the public of Europe. There will be no possibility of has always been denied by the Bourbons, and never been generally denying it any more, after the frank avowal of the British minister, who may in consequence expect the worst from the malignity of all the satellites of Divine Right! If the statement was intentional, and did not escape the Right Hon. Secretary in the eagernets of argument, it is a bold and bonourable one, and must be construed as indicating a settled design, to give a reasonable check to the overweening arrogance of the Continental Despots, by reminding them of an aukward fact. This important document has afforded a very prompt and fortunate confirmation of the detailed account of the hesitation of the Allies in regard to the French throne in 1814, which is given in the delightful Journal of a Detens in the London Magazine for November.

PARENTAL DEPRAVITY-The French papers contain an account of s shocking instance of depravity, which has, however, been promptly and severely punished. The widow of an honourable man, in order to free herself from some temporary embarrassment, had, for a trifling sum, prostituted her daughter, a child of ten years of age, to a fellow upwards of sixty! The old scoundrel has been sentenced to six months imprison ment, and to a suspension of all civil rights for two years. The wretched parent is to be imprisoned for two years, and to be deprived of sil civil privileges for ten years, and of all right and control over her daughter for ever. Without attempting any thing so invidious and so difficolt as a comparison between the moral character of the people of London and Paris, we may mention (because it is notorious) that the crime, whose punishment we have here related, is, notwithstanding the rigour of the penal code, extremely common in the French capital; but, to the shame of Englishmen be it spoken, several of our countrymen, and those by Do means obseure persons, are deeply involved in the guilt. We could mention two or three names, but trust that a hint may stop them in their career before exposure becomes a duty-Times.

HAYMARKET THEATRE.-Mr. Liston will speak the Farewell Address on Tuesday at the close of the Theatre.

POST OFFICE IMPOSITION.-As Mr Hume was travelling through THE TREASON TRIALS OF 1794.-On Monday, a dinner took place at Stamford, last week, after having narrowly escaped shipwreck on the the Crown and Anchor Tavern, in commemoration of the acquittal of Messrs Norfolk coast, he called at the Post-office there with two letters, one for Hardy, Horne Tooke, and Thelwall. Mr BACKWELL in the chair-—London, and the other for Edinburgh. The London mail being about to The cloth having been removed, he said he had to propose as the first leave the town, the office was closed for the purpose of arranging the toast "The Sovereignty of the People;"-which being cordially drunk, London letters. Having paid a penny for that which was directed for the Chairman gave as the second toast,-"The Trial by Jury " -The London, he requested to know where he was to put in the other letter, health of Messrs Hardy, Thelwall, Richter," was next drunk. Mr HARDY, which would not leave Stamford till early the next morning? and was told in returning his acknowledgements, said he deemed the occasion an imthat he must either pay a penny with it, or wait till the London mail was portant one, not so much because two or three lives were saved by the dispatched. Being unable, from the pressure of time, to wait, and not verdict of the Juries, but on account of the consequences to the choosing to confide the letter to a servant at the inn, he paid the sum de- country.-Mr THELWALL said, he rejoiced in meeting them on this occamanded, but at the same time informed the Post-Master that he should sion. He trusted that the transactions in which his brother Hardy, his complain to Mr Freeling of the General Post-office. This he did, and, brother Ritcher, and himself, had been engaged, would not soon be forby return of post, received an answer, stating, that the demand was un-gotten, not for the sake of the praise, but on account of the principles. authorised, and that care would be taken that it should not occur again. He then adverted to the death of Mr John Baxter, and the distressed Although the sum exacted was small, and could not be of any censequence circumstances in which his widow and family were left; and expressed' to Mr Hume, his conduct in preventing the public from having those im- himself desirous of forwarding any suitable plan that might be broached positions practised upon them, was highly praiseworthy. If we possessed for their relief.-The CHAIRMAN then gave "The Memory of John Horne a few more individuals as zealous in calling attention to abuses as Mr Tooke and the other deceased Patriots of 1794."-Mr R. TAYLOR proposed Hume, and a few more public officers as ready to redress them as Mr Free- the health of the three independent Juries who acquitted Messrs Hardy, ling, it would be much for the advantage of the country. We cannot let Tooke, and Thelwall.-After various other toasts, "The health of Sir this opportunity pass without the observation, that there is no department F. Burdett," was drunk, and the Memories of George Washington, in the State so well administered, as that over which Mr Freeling presides. Thomas Paine, and Benjamin Franklin.-Other toasts were given in -Manchester Journal. honour of Bolivar, the Greek Cause, &c. before the company separated, which was at a late hour.