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best to abolish the custom, but it was one not half so offensive as this which has arisen in its place. With every respect for the worthy prompter, we must beg the manager will allow him to vacate his seat among the instrumental performers, and take a more retired station behind the scenes. X. COVENT-GARden.

well did he retouch the intelligent but somewhat coarse female face in 47, The Shepherd's Visit. The graces of manner and the graces of mind, united to youthfulness, might, and do, in real life, often inspire a tender regard; and even without them, it is sometimes induced by a je ne scais quoi, visible only to the creating eye of the lover. But all these will not do in a picture, particularly where the main subject is love. In all other points, the Artist puts us in possession of his subject, and the mental as Ox Monday evening, a new melo-drama was produced at this thea-well as manual display is made con amore. The eager haste of the tre under the title of Father and Son, or the Rock of La Charbonnière. clasping Shepherd, and the joyous welcome of the Cottager, are at par It is of horrific concoction, and founded on two recent narratives from with the spirited touch, warm and deep colour.-The sun pleasingly cheers the French newspapers; the first, we believe, with some pretension to the horison in Mr. O'CONNOR's Landscape, 39.-Very lively light and fact, relative to a sort of cannibal or fugitive maniac, called Antoine; colour, with strong shade, bring out with apt power the facetious inciand the other, one of those pieces of invention, which the foreign of philosophic reflection, and of quiet and delicious fancies, is raised and dents in Mr. WITHERINGTON's picture of John Gilpin, 319.-The spirit journals introduce with a convenient mystification as to the predica- cherished by the soft season of moonlight: and we therefore thank Mr. ments of time and place, in order to amuse the world. Our readers HOFLAND for his annual renewals in the Gallery of subjects which confer may possibly recollect a tale of this kind, imported a few weeks ago this pleasure.-In 43, 4 City, with the rising of the Moon, we can readily from the source alluded to, in which a guardian embezzles the fortune conceive some of the Nature-loving inhabitants" stealing from the crowd," of his ward, and wishing, with a view to cover the fact, to marry her and surrounded by the mildly radiated and shadowy umbrage, feasting to his son, on her refusal intends to murder her in the night, but by an their imaginations, accidental exchange of beds becomes the assassin of his own daugh"And wooing lone quiet in her silent walks." ter. Upon this last hint is the present melo-drama framed, and it is In 90, Landscape under the effect of Moon and Firelight, the effect is connected with the former, by Monsieur le Count St. Angeville, the enriched in colour by the vermeil reflection of fire mixing with and said amiable guardian, introducing the wild assassin Antoine into his glowing on the pale atmosphere of the moon; but it is perhaps somewhat chateau, to commit the murder in lieu of himself. Antoine, however, of moonlight.-There is solid painting in 71, Minnow Fishers, by Mr. at the expense of the placid feeling raised by the undisturbed tranquillity only pretends to stab the lady, and bears off his unfortunate victim to RICHARDSON. The freshness and coolness of the green and blue colours his cave, with a gallant view to a connexion for life. The morning harmonize with, and are agreeably warmed by, the reds and yellows. breakfast hour, by producing the intended victim, discovers to the There is a sparkling and smoky effect of ships firing, a looseness of pencil, Count the extent of his guilt; and, at this moment, the Marquis Le-a transparency and swell of water, with a mingle of gold and silver tints, noir appears with a band of soldiers to claim the assistance of the in 197, Battle of Trafalgar, that strongly recommend this Artist as Count in aiding the pursuit of a fugitive assassin, called Antoine. The Marine painter. The contrast of strong blue in a near middle ground, agitation of the Count betrays his guilt; on which Victor, his son, a and a river with the warm fore ground, in 55, by Mr. P. REINAGLE, R.A. noble-minded young man, who is altogether innocent, but apprehends in 76, Cottage scene near Godstone. His spirited leafy touches reflect the is, we submit, harsh, if not unnatural.-Mr. NASMYTH and daylight shine the whole truth, takes the murder upon himself, and is confined with golden summer sun-set, in 135, View in the parish of Worth. The finishing his father in a room in the chateau, from which, with the assistance is beautiful, but a little too much like Hobbima.-There is an edgy of an old German servant, they however contrive to escape. In the outline and insufficient finishing in 142, The Guard-room of the Life mean time the savage Antoine is encountered in the forest, bearing | Guards, by Mr. NOVICE; but these are more than outweighed by the off his fainting prey, by a young Officer, the lover of Amy the ward, well painted costume, the natural action of the men, the unconstrained who, after he has hid the lady in his cave, holds him at bay, until shot intercourse, and the social as well as atmospheric sunshine of the picture. by the old German valet, who comes up at the critical moment, pistol in The accustomed knowledge of Mr. S. W. REYNOLDS in light and colour, hand. The father and son are next seen, making their way across the WOODWARD paints horses and their riders well: he puts his figures in is seen in 176, An Interior.-Excepting an overwrought smoothness, Mr. rocks, when suddenly the soldiers appear in pursuit, and the former, good action and light, as is plain from 237, 4 Leg-up, 112, Run away, &c. with strict poetical justice, is mortally wounded by a musket-shot. 327, Hudibras and the Widow, and 325,4 Scene from Peveril of the Peak, With genuine melo-dramatic effect, his daughter at the sound rushes show strong feeling for character in Mr. CAWSE; but he has an indifferent from the cave, the Count has the satisfaction to perceive that he has eye for colour.-Miss E. JONES paints with a warm force of colour. It is not been the murderer he supposes, and the curtain drops. badly accompanied, however, in 219, by a swoln form of a Bacchante.A correct eye and chaste effects accompany Mr. CHANTREY's pictures of Still Life, 187, 191.-Mr. GLOVER's Ullswater exhibits the mildly lustrous effect of an evening sunshine seen through a shady foreground.

IRELAND.

CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION.
Wednesday, Feb. 23.

R. H.

The Rent for the previous six days was stated to be upwards of 800%. Of that sum, 1001. was from Mr. Kelly and his sons, a wealthy Catholie family residing at Acton, near London. An animated debate took place on the proceedings in Parliament.

We need not say that this is stage-effect materiel, and it has been used accordingly. The great defect consists in the abruptness with which an apparently respectable Nobleman becomes a monster, and in the miserable baldness of the dialogue. Our contemporaries have been harsh upon the savage man and the horrors, and truly they are by no means to our own taste;-but is not this order of the horrible legitimate, in the illegitimate province of the drama under consideration? In the present instance, however, there is certainly some unnecessary dilation, and a little compression will much improve it. The acting may be briefly dismissed. BENNETT and COOPER, as father and son, did as much as their characters allowed; as also Miss Love, the Ward, and Mr. DURUSSET, as a pair of very harmless musical lovers. There was also some comedy displayed in the French Housekeeper of Mrs. DAVENPORT, and the German Valet of FARLEY; but after all, the weight lay in the melo-dramatic efforts of T. P. COOKE, as Antoine, and Mrs. VINING, as the devoted daughter, who were cer-sociation, what would the country and Parliament, think, when they tainly excellent in their way. The house was very attentive, and the piece was announced for repetition without opposition, at least we heard one, although some of our brethren assert the contrary. A coarse and tasteless species of entertainment, doubtless-but what then? People of passive, or of merely recipient imagination, as VOLTAIRE ably shows, are this way attracted, and they form a vast majonty. Looking at the play-bills, however, some improvement is possibly taking place, for this new batch of horrors appears not in the Q.

announcements.

FINE ARTS.

BRITISH INSTITUTION.

THE Directors have bestowed upon Mr. BAILEY the deserved compliment of giving his fine sculptured Group, 410, Affection, a separate and centrical situation in the Gallery; as they properly also have Mr. SIEVIER'S Bacchante asleep, where the retiring, prominent, and indeed all parts of the figure, are carved with captivating analogy to youthful beauty-an ardnous attainment in a form naked and larger than life.-Mr. BAILEY'S composition is a caressing mother and infant, where beauty is inspired by the mingling soul of mutual affection.-Beauty is so indispensable a quality in a picture of youthful courtship, that Mr. FRASER would do

Mr. COPPINGER alluded to the charge so often made against the Catholic priests, of exercising a fearful influence over their flocks: they had been even accused of withholding absolution, and employing ecclesiastical censures for unjustifiable purposes. But what would the Catholic As(Hear, hear!)-soliciting a Catholic Priest to employ the so much deshould find a beneficed clergyman, a dignitary of the Protestant Church cried censures of his Church against an entire Catholic parish? (Hear, hear!) In a Country Parish in the Diocese of Cloyne, containing very few Protestants, a new Catholic Church was erecting, the old Chapel being in a state of ruin. The Parish Priest applied for a subscription to the Protestant Rector, who, although he never resided in the parish, drew from it, in the shape of tithes, nearly 1000l. a-year (Hear!) He received, in reply, a letter, giving him an order for 57. on a man who, he (Mr. C.) understood, was not worth five pence! But the bounty did not stop here; the Rev. Gentleman went on in the letter to assure the Priest, that he was a great sufferer by the parish, that he was literally ruined by it, as it owed him no less a sum than 2,000l.; but that if the Priest would undertake to issue ecclesiastical censures, and by excommunicating the parishioners, enable him (the Rector) to get in the 2,000l. arrears of tithes, in that case, he generously promised to give an additional subscription of 101.!! (Loud cheers.)

Mr. BARRON noticed the remarkable contradictions which the promoters of the bill against the Association gave to each other in Parliament, by their inconsistent charges against the Catholic leaders and people. One Gentleman calls upon the House to put down the Association, because that, possessing the confidence of the country, and virtually, though not professedly, representing the people, it was pregnant with danger. Another Member implores them, as they value the cause of Catholic

Emancipation, to put down the Association as not expressing the senti-through. She descended from the carriage, and pushing the people ments, or possessing the confidence of the people, by whom it is considered an incumbrance from which they wish to be relieved. Mr. Goulburn anticipates the most dangerous consequences, because the Association is assisted and zealously supported by the Catholic Priests, whom he represents as a deep, designing, and dangerous body of men, upon whose loyalty reliance is not to be placed. Mr. Plunkett immediately stands up, vowing that the Catholic Clergy are the most loyal, the most pious, the most exemplary, the most calumniated, in fact, paragons of perfection. Such was the evidence, such the concurrent testimony upon which Parliament was called upon to adopt a measure tending fearfully to trench upon the dearest privileges of the subject !

away to the right and to the left, slipt away with the air of a princess into Melbourne-house. As soon as she had passed the threshold, the door was closed upon her. A loud shriek was heard immediately afterwards, which was however almost drowned in the noise created by the rattling of the travelling carriage which then drove away. The people, after expressing their wonder at what had occurred, dispersed, and in a lew minutes, left the street in the same state of tranquillity it had enjoyed previously to the occurrence of this extraordinary transaction.-Times. BROWN'S GAS VACUUM ENGINE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE EXAMINER.

SIR, Mr. Brown's Gas Vacuum Engine having been repeatedly mentioned in your paper, as well as in most of the periodical publications for news or science, I take the liberty of sending you a few calculations for the purpose of ascertaining its merits. Mr. Brown has never, I believe, published any very exact data; all that I have been able to meet with are, that "the patentee calculates on raising 200 to 300 gallons of water fifteen feet high, with one cubic foot of gas," (Register of Arts and Sciences, No. 22) and that the vacuum produced is indicated by 22 a 24 inches of mercury: Dr. Fyfe says 24 a 26 inches.

Now, allowing gas made on the spot to cost 5s. per 1000 cubic feet, 300,000 gallons may be raised 15 feet for 5s. without regard to time; in doing this the water is admitted at once into the vacuum chamber, in the manner of Savery's, or rather Kier's steam-engine, and there is no loss of power from complicated machinery; but supposing the vacuum perfect, the utmost height is only about 33 feet, and therefore this plan is of limited application; whereas, at some of the water-works, upwards of 160,000 gallons are raised per hour against a pressure equivalent to a column of 120 feet, at a cost of less than 5s. for fuel, which is equal to 1,280,000 gallons per hour through 15 feet, and this, notwithstanding the complication of machinery necessary to work a forcing-pump. From such loose information it is almost impossible to ascertain the ratio that the gas consumed bears to the vacuum obtained, but it cannot be less than 2 per cent. ; assuming that ratio, the application to an engine of small power will not at first apppear so disproportionate. A six-horse engine as a piston of 14 inches diameter, a stroke 2 feet 4 inches long, and makes 40 strokes or 80 exhaustions in a minute, and consequently requiring 12,843 cubic feet of vacuum per hour, consuming about 451bs. of coals, at most of a bushel, which, at 42s, per chaldron, would be 103d per hour, whereas the gas at 2 per cent would be nearly 257 cubic feet, and would cost 1s. 34d.; but the power of gas will not come nearer to steam than 12lbs. to 16lbs. on the square inch, after deducting for the air pump of the steam-engine, therefore a proportionate increase of capacity and expense will be required to equalize the power; the gas would therefore be 342 cubic feet, and cost 1s. 8d. nearly twice the cost of steam. But this is supposing the vacuum could be made in the piston cylinder, which I believe has never yet been effected, nor is very likely to be: the vacuum is however obtained in the piston cylinder by transfer; that is, the cylinder full of air is opened into the vacuum chamber, and its contents equally diffused throughout the two. This method must be productive of great loss of power or gas; if the vessels are equal, one half of the power will be lost. In one which I have seen constructing by Mr. Frasi, the proportion was 8 to 1, the loss of power was therefore, but the cost for gas would be eight-fold, or 13s. 8d., being upwards of 15 times that of steam. This method of application may be varied, but will always be productive of great loss in some way.

PAINFUL OCCURRENCE IN HIGH LIFE. About half-past seven o'clock on Monday evening, a carriage and four drove down Parliament-street at so rapid a rate as to attract general notice. As it came to the Admiralty, a lady put her head out of the carriage window, screamed violently, and called upon the people to protect her. A gentleman immediately pulled her back into the carriage with some little violence. The lady repeated her cries for assistance in a tone of such intense agony as to induce several persons to insist upon the post-boys stopping directly. The postboys however drove on. The people instantly pursued the carriage. The lady continued her shrieks, and a voice was heard ordering it to be driven to Melbourne-house. Before it could be got there, a crowd of people surrounded it, drew it on one side, but, after a little consultation, allowed it to drive up to the causeway before that mansion. On its arriving there, every body seemed anxious to discover the cause of the outery. The lady, who appeared to be about 35 years af age, ordered a servant to knock at the doors of Melbourne-house, but declared her resolute determination not to enter them on any account. The door was opened, and shortly afterwards the door of the carriage. A gentleman in a blue frock-coat got out of it, as also a little boy. The lady was then desired to get out and follow them. She refused in the most vehement terms, and called upon the people to protect her, as they formerly protected their Queen, declaring at the same time that a conspiracy had been hatched, and was then executing against her, quite as dangerous as that which had been hatched and executed against her late Majesty. The servants, who appeared to be her's, attempted to pacify her. She refused to listen to their entreaties, and again called upon the people to assist her. When one of her servants told her that no harm was intended to her, she looked at him earnestly in the face, and addressing him by name, said," I know you-you are an honest German soldier-but there is a conspiracy to drive me down to Brocket-hall, where I am determined not to go, or to go only as a corpse. I have seen for the last time the children that I love, and the husband that I adore; and out of this carriage I will not stir, except by force." She again complained of a conspiracy, and called on William Lamb, the husband of her love, to protect her from it. The coachman with a female attendant from Melbourne-house, both addressed her in a respectful manner; but she told the first in a peremptory tone, that he was her coachman, and ought to know his station, and waved her hand in a majestic manner to keep the latter back. She then again addressed the people, and besought them to rescue her. If she were carried down to Brocket-hall she should soon be a worm, but, thank God, not such worms as those would be who could see her treated with such indignity. The female servant again addressed her, saying, "My Lady, for pity's sake come into the house." The lady again and again repeated her determination not to do so. The people, who had gazed upon this spectacle for some time in silent curiosity, began to ask each other who this unfortunate lady was. One of the queries, we should suppose, reached her ear; for she immediately cried out, "Send for my brother, for the Duke of Devonshire. I am now dying; I feel that I am; but I have a husband that I adore, and I have seen him for the last time. You will all soon know who I am: I am a worm-a sinner. I have committed many sins, but I trust that they will all be pardoned. But you-who are you, who will not assist a poor defenceless woman?" Then with a tone of inexpressible contempt she added, "You are the same mean varlets who hissed my grandfather the great Duke of Marlborough." The amazement of the crowd was extreme. Whilst it was yet at its height, another servant came and took her by the hand, as if to force her out of it. She immediately retreated back into the carriage from the step on which she had stood to address the multitude, and swore that by force she never would leave it. If she left it, she would walk out of it, for the Queen of England had walked through the people, and why should not she? "I hope to God," continued the lady, "there is somebody here from the newspapers to see how I am treated; they have eyes every-where, ears every-where. I trust their eyes will see my sufferings, and their ears catch my shrieks, in order that my fate may be known to the world." Finding that nobody interfered on her behalf, the servants again came to the lady, who appeared in a state of intense agitation, and endeavoured Lord MELVILLE brought in a Bill for amending the mode of chusing to convince her that she would suffer no injury by entering Melbourne-juries in Scotland. In that country, the prisoner received a list of the house. The lady at last consented to go along with them; but before she left the carriage, she stood upon the step, cast her eyes to Heaven, and raising her hand said, "I shall soon be carried from this house down to Brocket-hall, but I shall go a corpse. May God forgive me the sins, they are not many, I have committed in this my state of trouble and existence," A servant offered to hand her from the carriage. She refused his hand, but ordered him to clear her a way through the people

those ungrateful noisy varlets who dared to hiss their benefactor Marlborough." The people formed an avenue for the lady to pass

To the proposition of applying the Gas Vacuum Engine to the purpose of moving carriages, another objection presents itself; the gas must be conveyed in a condensed state: if an engine on the principle above al luded to be used, and it was then proposed to be, it would require either very large vessel or high condensation. The Portable Gas Company, I am informed, condense 16 times, which gives an expansive force of 240 pounds on the square inch; even with that condensation it would require a vessel of 171 cubic feet every hour.

a

As to inertia and friction, I suppose them about equal in both cases. If this account should prove erroneous, I believe it will be from want of data respecting the Gas Engine, which certainly Mr. Brown might have furnished ere now. At any rate it may serve to give an idea of the manner and necessity of calculating such questions.

25th February, 1825.

I am, your obedient servant,

UNITED PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS.
Monday, February 28.
SCOTCH JURIES.

S.

names from which his jury was struck fifteen days before trial; and he
proposed, in addition to this, to alter the present mode of chusing juries.
which was left to the Judge, and make them be chosen by ballot, leaving
both to the prisoner and the prosecutor an equal right of challenge.-The
bill was then read the first time.

CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION-ILLEGAL SOCIETIES' BILL-THE ESTA-
BLISHED CLERGY.

The Bill for suppressing unlawful Associations in Ireland was brough up and read a first time; and a great number of petitions against th

Bill, and a few in its favour, were afterwards presented. Among the latter was one from the Archdeacon and Clergy of the Diocese of Bath, on the reading of which, Lord FITZWILLIAM condemned the illiberal, impolitic, and unjust spirit in which it was penned, declared his disapprobation of penal laws which went to controul the consciences of men, and said it was dreadful to think of the consequences which might follow from persisting in inflicting misery on six millions of human beings. The Bishop of BATH and WELLS, who presented the petition, ex-it: he expressed his happiness at seeing that the "No-popery prejudices pressed his surprise at hearing it so attacked, as the sentiments, in his opinion, reflected credit on those from whom it came.

condemn after. (Hear, hear!)-Lord DARNLEY followed on the same
side.-The House then divided-For the motion, 23; against it, 69.
Lord LIVERPOOL then proposed the second reading of the Bill, using
precisely the same line of argument as that taken by the supporters of
the measure in the other House.-Lord KING insisted that the measure
would make Ireland more like a hell than ever, for it would confirm the
possession of that power by which the strong had always oppressed the
weak.-Lord TEYNHAM supported the Bill.-Lord GROSVENOR opposed
had dwindled into insignificance; for though, his Lordship said, the hand-
writing was upon the wall, the people cared nothing about it, and it had
been completely beaten out of the field, by Dr. Eady, Day and Martin,
and Hunt's Matchless Blacking! (Laughter.) His Lordship also no-
ticed the distressing situation to which Ministers had reduced the Sove
reign, who, as King of Hanover, was all conciliation, and as King of Eng-
land, was all coercion! (Hear, hear!)—Lord GOSFORD opposed the Bill.
The Duke of SUSSEX contended that no reason had been shown for the
measure, and that a thousand had been adduced in favour of granting to
the Catholics the benefit of equal laws.—Lord CARBERY briefly supported
the Bill.-Lord LANSDOWN opposed it, arguing that it would even be
ineffectual for its avowed object, as the Catholics could not be prevented
from meeting, nor from giving money to forward their objects. It was,
he said, in the very nature of things, that discontent and disorder would
be consequent upon the withholding from men their natural rights. Ire-
land, added his Lordship-(applying an admirable sentence of Milton)-
was" a nation not slow and dull, but of a quick, ingenious, and piercing
spirit; acute to invent, subtile and sinewy to discourse; not beneath the
reach of any point the highest that human capacity can soar to." And
his Lordship begged the House to recollect, that over this nation there
was exerted that most tremendous engine of modern times-the PRESS;
a power which, like that of electricity, roused the latent fire which ex-
isted in every part of the national economy, woke every sympathy of
human nature to the keen enjoyment of the advantages which existed for
the universal good of society.-Lord HARROWBY admitted that the pro-
visions of the Bill might possibly be evaded, but he entertained a san-
guine hope, that, when passed, it would be submitted to; and he con-
tended that the Catholic Association had been productive of mischief to
the Catholic cause.-On a division, the second reading of the Bill was
carried by 146 to 44.

Lord HOLLAND observed, that he was willing to receive the petition, notwithstanding the falsehoods it contained, the gross allegations with which it was filled, and the bad spirit and temper which it betrayed. (Hear, hear!)-The Petitioners, his Lordship said, came humbly before the House; but where was their Christian humility in their arrogant denial of equal privileges to their Christian brethren?-where their Christian charity in attributing improper motives to their neighbours, and ascribing designs to them which they solemnly disavowed? (Hear, hear!) The Bishop of CHESTER said he did not approve of all the expressions in the petition; but a similar harshness of language was to be found in the language of the Catholics, who spoke of the Established Clergy as "hungry Protestant Parsons!" Lord CARNARVON contended, that the prejudices of the petitioners had led them to distort facts, for they prayed that the Protestants might be protected against the spiritual violence, oppression, and tyranny, of the Catholics? Now he had always understood, that the oppression was not threatened, but inflicted, by the Protestant body. It was to be regretted, that the Petitioners should have thrown such discredit on themselves and their Order by the uncharitable nature of their allegations, and the falsehood of their assertions. They had justified Lord Clarendon's character of Churchmen, who said, that of all classes of men the Clergy were on general subjects the least informed, and took the most incorrect view of human affairs. Lord KING expressed his belief that such a petition could not have come from any other corporation or place in the kingdom than from the "Wise Men" of the Diocese whence it issued. Such a mass of nonsense could no where else have been concocted. The clergy in that town were entirely in the dark. They knew nothing. They had not even perused the liberal proclamation of the liberal King of Hanover. He wished the right reverend Prelate of the Diocese would take that Proclamation and hang it upon the door of his private chapel. (Hear, hear!)—He would probably be asked by the petitioners, "What have we to do with Hano-read a second time. It declares, that where death may be occasioned by ver?" as it had anciently been asked, "what good can come out of Nazareth?" He would say, much good can come out of Hanover, if the Rev. Gentlemen would read that liberal proclamation.

Lord CLIFDEN observed, that our Church was called a poor Church, and so it was, if the livings of some of its members were considered; while it must be called a rich Church, if its higher emoluments were taken into the account. The inequality of livings was a great evil. We found clergymen with 20,000l. a-year, and others with 251. A poor curate in his neighbourhood performed the duties of two parishes, and had only 251. for each.-[The Bishops said nothing to this.]

Tuesday, March 1.

Lord GROSVENOR introduced the subject of the Mining Companies, in order to contradict the rumour that he had made 3 or 400,000l. by speculating in them. He said, he held no shares in these Companies, though he thought that bona fide undertakings of the kind might become highly advantageous to the commerce of the country.

Thursday, March 3.

The Earl of ESSEX made some observations, in a tone of voice not sufficiently audible, which, it is said, related to the propriety of striking Mr. Kendrick's name from the list of Magistrates.

CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION.—UNLAWFUL SOCIETIES SUPPRESSION BILL. A number of petitions were presented, chiefly, against the suppression of the Catholic Association. One of them, however, was from certain Orangemen, presented by Lord KENYON, complaining of calumny, and praying that they might be heard in vindication of themselves.

Friday, March 4.

The Catholic Association Suppression Bill passed through a Committee of the whole House, and was ordered to be read a third time on Monday. Lord SUFFIELD'S Bill, declaring the use of Spring-guns unlawful, was such engines, the persons who set them shall be deemed guilty of Manslaughter-that bruises and wounds produced by them, to be a misde-, meanor-and that persons finding spring guns or other offensive engines set in woods, plantations, &c. may "render the same harmless."

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
Monday, Feb. 28.

JOINT STOCK COMPANIES.

Mr. PETER MOORE having moved the second reading of the Oil Gas Company Bill, Mr. GRENFELL took occasion to remark, that it ill became Parliament to give any encouragement to a number of companies which might be merely calculated to delude the public.-Mr. HUSKISSON agreed, that many proposed companies might be delusive. It was impossible for him to ascertain what speculations were good and what bad; indeed that seemed a question for the public exclusively to decide, before they embarked in them. If any company solicited a bill to exempt the sharewhen nothing more was sought, by this and other bills, than the mere holder from or to limit their pecuniary liability, he should oppose it; but convenience of suing and being sued by the Secretary, he saw no objection to granting such a request as it by no means affected the merit or demerit of any scheme.-Mr. HUME said he should be sorry to see the House meddle with the subject of private speculations, or throw impediments in the way of enterprise. Individuals should do as they liked with their property; and the evil would cure itself.-Mr. BARING was of a in the session (Lord Eldon's) should not have been brought forward yet. different opinion, and expressed his surprise that the bill talked of so early

Petitions were presented from all parts of the country, praying for a repeal of the Assessed Taxes, particularly the House and Window duties.

Lord CARNARVON, after urging various arguments in justification of the Catholic Association, moved that Counsel should be heard against-The bill was forwarded. the Bill by which that body would be suppressed.-Lord LIVERPOOL objected to the motion, on the ground that the Bill was not a particular one, but directed against all Associations; and that it was against all rule, and would be productive of great inconvenience, to hear Counsel, for no man or body of men could be heard against the enactment of a general law. Lord GREY contended, that common justice required that the Catholic Association should be heard before they were condemned; and as to the assertion, that the Bill was directed against all associations, and therefore a general measure, it was a miserable quibble, and a disbonest pretext; for it was notorious that the Catholic Association was as exclusively the object of the Bill, as if its name had occurred in every cause of it. (Hear, hear!)-The LORD CHANCELLOR urged the same arguments as Lord Liverpool, and contradicted the report that he was the author of the Bill, though, he said, it had his perfect concurrence.— Lord HOLLAND maintained that to hear Counsel against the Bill was course called for by policy, by generosity, and by justice; and that there were many precedents for such a proceeding, some of which his Lordship named. He conjured the House not to overthrow that great le of human reason and justice.namely, to hear first, and

THE BUDGET.

In a Committee of Ways and Means,-The CHANCELLOR of the ExcheQUER, after congratulating the House on the auspicious state of the country's finances, proceeded to remind it, that he had, last session, estimated the surplus of the revenue for 1824 at 1,050,000l. out of which he supposed the repayment on the Silk Duties repeal would take 460,0007. That repayment however turned out to be 900,000l.; notwithstanding which, the revenue had so greatly improved, that the surplus for 1824 proved to be 1,437,7441. (Hear, hear!) He attributed this brilliant result partly to the increased consumption of foreign manufactures, partly to the increased ability of other nations to purchase our manufactures. The revenue of Excise last year exceeded his calculation by no less a sum than 1,143,000/. Taking the revenue prospectively to 1827, at a moderate estimate, he reckoned on a surplus on the four years together (1821 to 1827) of about 4,000,000l. The relief from taxation which these circumstances enabled him to offer, he proposed to apply in

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three ways; first, to the further relaxation of the restrictive system;
secondly, to check smuggling, the most monstrous evil which now
afflicted England; thirdly, to a mitigation of the weight of the direct
taxes. He was quite aware, that if he sought popularity alone in his
measures, his best plan would be to confine the reductions to the Assessed
Taxes; but he was convinced, that he should better consult the true
interests of the country, by applying a part of the surplus revenue in
furtherance of those principles, of free trade, which government had
already acted upon with such happy results. With this view, his Right
Hon. Friend Mr. Huskisson would in a short time submit to the House a
proposal to reduce within reasonable limits all those prohibitory duties
which shut out the produce of other countries from England, without the
slightest advantage to the English manufacturer. One of these-the duty
on foreign iron-he at once proposed to reduce from 31. to 17. 10s. This
would give a great impetus to the manufacture of hardware, &c.; many
orders for which at Sheffield, Birmingham, &c. could not be executed,
owing to the inadequate supply and enormously increased price of British
iron. He did not think however this reduction of duty should be applied
to all foreign nations, but that it should be extended first to those which
were most disposed to follow our example in regard to a freer commercial
intercourse. Mr. Robinson then enumerated the various other reductions
he proposed, with the reasons for each-in substance as follows:-
HEMP-Duty to be lowered from 1s. to 6d. per pound, a great benefit
to the shipping interest. Supposed loss to the revenue, 100,000l.
COFFEE-Duty to be lowered from 1s. to 6d. a pound. A considerable
relief to the the West India proprietors; besides which, the cultivation of
coffee exposes the negroes to fewer hardships than that of sugar. Loss to
the revenue, about 150,000/.
FOREIGN WINES.-The decrease of consumption in consequence of the
increased duty was notorious; and it was equally certain, that such
decrease had lessened the consumption of British manufactures in the wine
countries. In recommending a less duty than existed in 1801-2-3, the
Minister calculated on as great a consumption as in those years. Duty
on French wines to be lowered from 11s. 5d. to 6s. ; on Port, Spanish and
Rhenish wines, from 7s. 7d. to 4s. In other words, 1s. 3d. a bottle on
French, and nearly a shilling a bottle on other foreign wines. Estimated
loss of revenue, 230,000/.

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SPIRITS.-The Minister's grand object was to discourage smuggling, which he considered the greatest domestic evil that could afflict a country. He did not admit the reasonableness of the fear some persons entertained, that to make spirits cheap would cause more drunkenness in the people. He did not believe the general consumption would be increased, but he thought a vast quantity which was now smuggled would be subjected to the duty. The reduction that had already taken place in Ireland and Scotland (to 25. a gallon) while it destroyed illicit distillation in those countries, had created a great smuggling trade between them and England, which it was highly necessary to put an end to. Proposed reduction, from 10s. 6d. to 5s.; and on spirit manufactured from malt, to 6s. On colonial spirits, from 10s. 6d. to 8s.; a difference which he thought only fair to the British distiller, who was subject to the artificially high prices of malt and corn in England. Loss to the revenue, about 750,000l.

CIDER.-Duty to be lowered from 30s. to 15s. [Mr. HUME." Oh! make it ten." (A laugh.)-Mr. ROBINSON-" Well, I am not disposed to squabble about a few shillings; it shall be ten."] A measure certainly local, but of immense importance to six counties, the gaols of which are filled with persons imprisoned for illegally selling cider-mostly females. Loss of revenue, about 20,0002.

ASSESSED TAXES. The proposed repeals are-the whole duty on win dows in houses not having more than seven; inhabited house duty on houses under 10%. rent: these amount to 235,000l. and will give relief to 937,867 persons. The tax on four-wheel carriages drawn by ponies, amounting to 8571.; occasional waiters, &c. 1,3431.; coachmakers' licenses, 3541.; carriages sold by auction or on commission, 3,3914.; mules carrying ore from mines, &c. 137.; persons quitting houses after the commencement of the year, 5,000l.; houses left in the care of a person, 4,000l.; one additional window allowed where there is a cheeseroom or dairy, 1,000/.; farmhouses occupied by labourers, 1,000.; husbandry servant, occasionally employed as groom, 2,000/; farmers, letting husbandry horses to hire, 4,000.; taxed carts, 18,9137. The object was to relieve the poorer classes, and he should blush for men of rank and fashion, who could be displeased that their interests were not more consulted. Supposed total loss to the revenue, 276,9957.

In arguing upon the expediency of this plan, in preference to a larger reduction of Assessed Taxes, Mr. Robinson particularly dwelt upon the policy of benefiting Ireland (which now had no Assessed Taxes) by promoting general commercial activity; and he called upon those gentlemen who had conscientious scruples against the Catholic claims, to be more strenuous on that account in extending to the sister kingdom the blessings of commerce and industry. He asked them, whether it would not be more gratifying to them to see Ireland rise in the scale of nations, and take her seat by our side, than to leave her to the chance of any subsequent opportunities? (Cheers.) The Right Hon. Gentleman sat down amid loud and general cheers.

Mr. BRIGHT expressed his surprise, that the Minister had done nothing onsiderable for the West India interest. When there was so much nxiety to put down smuggling, he expected that at least half the duty on that main article of smuggling, tobacco, would be repealed.

Mr. HOBHOUSE thought it would have been better to equalize the duty on all foreign wines at 5s. He was persuaded the country would not be satisfied with the small reduction in the Assessed Taxes.

Mr. JOHN SMITH recommended a reduction on the duties of sugar, as calculated both to serve the West India grower and the consumer at home. Mr. HART DAVIS pressed the necessity of a reduction of the duties on tobacco. It was the main article in smuggling. There never was a greater export from America of that article than at present, and yet the duties in this country and in Ireland, with an increased population, were diminished!

Mr. HUME was disposed to give the Chancellor of the Exchequer the greatest credit for acting upon such enlarged and statesman-like principles, but he deprecated his stopping short with so salutary a system. He was persuaded, that if the duties on Malt and Tobacco were reduced 50 per cent. the result would be, that the consumption would be considerably increased, the comforts of the people augmented, and the whole of the present revenue (if not improved) at least realised. The country was debarred from the full action of those enlarged principles, in consequence of the mistaken policy of maintaining the Sinking Fund, to buy up at 95 per cent, what the country borrowed at 50 or 60.

Mr. HUSKISSON observed, that when so many expectations existed, all of which it was impossible for government to comply with, he was not surprised at the calls upon his Right Hon. Friend (Mr. Robinson) to repeal this and that particular impost. It was satisfactory however that there were so few objections to the reductions that were proposed. His Right Hon. Friend hoped by degrees to repeal the other duties alluded to; but he could not do all at once: they should recollect the proverb, "not to ride a willing horse to death." In proposing what he did, his Right Hon. Friend had calculated on an increased consumption of the articles which were relieved in regard to duties. Coffee was an article which particalarly illustrated the effects of high duties. He recollected, when he was connected with the Treasury, he had procured a reduction of the duty on coffee from 3s. to 4d. in the pound; and the duty at 4d. yielded as large a revenue as the duty of 3s.

Mr. ELLICE declared he would support no proposition which did not go to reduce the Sinking Fund. He complained also of the restrictions and very unequal duties levied on imported sugar, and the grievous charges on British shipping in our own colonies.

Mr. BERNAL asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he was determined not to alter his plan as regarded rum? was it likely the poorer classes would purchase rum with a duty of 8s. a gallon on it, while British spirits paid only 5s.-Mr. ROBINSON answered, that he was quite open to suggestions and modifications; but he thought that owing to the high price of corn, the greater prime cost of British spirits would bring the selling price to much the same thing as that of rum.

Mr. WHITMORE wished the duty on all foreign wines had been equalized. There was a more absurd monopoly of Port wine than any other monopoly he knew of. This was equally injurious to England and Portugal, and he hoped some endeavours would be made to get rid of it. Resolutions were passed, in conformity with the propositions of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Tuesday, March 1.

A writ was ordered for the election of a Member for Bramber, in the
room of Mr. Wilberforce, who has accepted the Chiltern Hundreds.
The second reading of the London Water Works Bill was opposed by
Messrs. W. WILLIAMS, FREEMANTLE, and T. WILSON, and supported by
Mr. BUXTON and others; but it was carried, on a division, by 69 to 30.

Mr. BROWNLOW presented a petition from John Kinby, of Kerry, in Ireland, complaining of having been driven from his school by the persecution of the Roman Catholic Priests, because, as they alleged, the education which the children received might tend to make them Protestants, although, as the petitioner declared, the children were merely taught to read the Bible, but no Catechism. The petitioner also complained of having been cruelly assaulted and beaten, because he had spoken against the conduct of the Priests. Some conversation arose, in which Mr. GRATTAN stated, that the fact was, the Protestants wished to teach the Catholics, and the Priests desired to instruct their own flocks, and hence the circumstances detailed had arisen.-The petition was ordered to lie on the table, as were several others, some for and others against the Catholic Claims, but chiefly in their favour.

CATHOLIC EMANCIPATION.

Sir Francis BURDETT brought forward a Petition from the Catholics of Ireland, and stated, that it was signed by a greater number than had ever before affixed their names to such a document.—[The Petition, which formed a roll of parchment of more than 100 feet in length, was then read and ordered to lie on the table.]-Sir Francis, upon this, observed, that the petition, large as it appeared, did not set forth more than an atom of the immense interests it represented, which were those, not of the Catholics and of Ireland merely, but of the whole British community. The Hon. Baronet contended, that even at the time of England's greatest danger,-the time of the revolution,-such an unworthy jealousy of the claims of the Catholics had not been shown, as was now exbibited. At that time, it was a curious fact, the Catholics had not been compelled to take the oath of supremacy. The treaty of Limeric, however, had been subsequently violated in the most atrocious manner, a most tyrannous, wicked, and murderous policy was adopted, and Ireland bent under a yoke the most oppressive to which any nation had ever been subjected. Such a course was however too inhuman to be persevered in: those severities were

relaxed, and he wished the Irish Catholics to keep in mind the benefits ask? That a few Catholic Peers and Gentlemen might sit in the Houses they had received rather than the injuries they had so long endured; of Lords and Commons, and that the King, if he thought fit, might place for if they looked a little further, they would perceive that what remained a certain number of Catholic Gentlemen in the high offices of state! And to be granted to them could not much longer be withheld, provided they where was the danger of this? Was there any fear of a Popish King made the best use of the advantages in their possession, and acted with using such power to enslave the country? A small faction in Ireland alone forbearance and discretion. Their claims were borne out by reason, by opposed the Catholic claims,-the Orangemen,-who, however, apart bumanity, by the soundest principles of policy, and their cause, both in from this absurd and exclusive spirit of domination, were very honourable, and out of Parliament, must finally triumph, for the feelings of the en- and liberal men. It was high time for them to get rid of this spirit, for lightened portion of the nation were making rapid progress in their favour. they would share largely in the improved condition of their country. He was not the supporter of the Irish people in particular, still less was Those who paid the taxes, too, would do well to consider the cost of supbe an advocate for the Roman Catholic religion; but neither was he an porting the present coercive system. They wanted relief from taxation, opposer of it, for he did not oppose any of the schemes of faith which and a few thousands were about to be removed; but by a change of sysmen of different minds hit upon. In his view, all Religions were equally tem in Ireland, millions might at once be saved, independent of the wealth right, which the persons professing them followed with sincerity of which would flow in from a more liberal policy. If tyranny was a luxury,. heart, and which were founded upon principles of morality. Now it was unquestionably a most expensive one; and it should be recollected, there was abundant proof that the Catholic Faith was so founded; that it was at the cost of England that the Government enjoyed the luxthough, for himself, baving been bred up in the religion of the Church ofury of keeping Ireland chained and miserable. It was distinctly underEngland, that alone would be a sufficient reason to give for his preferring stood at the Union, that justice should be rendered to the Catholics, and it; at the same time, he did think, that had he a religion to chuse, the nothing but conciliation could afford a chance of prosperity and safety. Church of England was of all others the faith he should adopt. Not that He (Sir Francis) had had the good fortune to pass some time in Ireland, exceptions might not be taken to many parts of the system, which might and so much was he impressed with the kind and benevolent feelings doubtless be altered with great advantage; but with respect to the Church which pervaded all classes, that if he had a country to choose, he would. of England Clergy, (take away only the Ecclesiastical Corporations, select Ireland of all other places in the world. Its people were docile which, like all other Corporations, showed generally a narrow-minded beyond all others, were easily influenced by those whom they beand intolerant spirit)-though he might perhaps be partial, a more en- lieved to have their real interests at heart, and were most grateful for the lightened and liberal body of men did not do honour to this or any other smallest portion of justice. (Hear!) The Priests were the most honest. country. If however he was a disciple of the Church of England, his and innocent persons he had ever met, and used their extensive influence, first care should be not to forget one of her purest principles,-to do unto in securing the general tranquillity. It was truly lamentable, that a others as he would wish others to do unto him.-The Constitution said, people enjoying such a happy soil, such fine ports, harbours, and rivers, that all men capable of bearing equal burthens were entitled to the pos- should be deficient in good Government,—a want which crippled all their session of equal rights. Upon this axiom he fortified himself; and so energies, and rendered them discontented and uniserable! Catholic Emanlittle was the present a Catholic question, that in fact the Catholics now cipation, he knew, would not be a panacea for all the evils of Ireland, but stood upon Protestant arguments, and maintained their claims upon prin- it would he a first step to other measures which might be adopted. He ciples which assured the security of England. It was indeed singular hoped that the vote of this night would be the means not only of preserv enough that those who had formerly rejected Catholicism for the alleged ing tranquillity in Ireland, but of opening to it brighter and more cheerilliberality of its doctrines, were now acting upon the very principles ing prospects for the future. (Hear, hear!) He did trust that the which they had opposed; while the Catholics were asking for nothing House would not delay to put a final stroke to the great work which would more than the Protestants themselves had first desired, namely, the right unite the two countries in one firm bond, under the protection of the of religious freedom. What the dangers apprehended were, he never British Constitution. He should not trouble the House with any details could understand; but the very idea of Catholicism seemed to raise in respecting religious points, for he did not imagine that any man was so some minds images of extraordinary terror, half historic, half romantic, wrapped up in prejudice as to assert that any individual ought to be dewhich had no more to do with the present state of the world than they had prived of his civil rights in consequence of bis religious opinions. The with that of the next. No doubt," where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to only ground of objection he could suppose was that of some contingent be wise; and in this case ignorance must be bliss, compared to having danger to the State. When such was urged, he would grapple with it, the mind filled with a mass of exaggerated antiquated tales and prejudices, and endeavour to show, that in the present state of society the fear was which no longer existed. A gentleman had expressed to him (Sir Francis) unfounded. For the present, therefore, he would conclude by moving, his great fears of the power of the Pope! Now it was a little extraordinary, "That this House do resolve itself into a Committee, to consider of the that the Ministers most hostile to the Catholic Claims had expended the state of the laws affecting his Majesty's Roman Catholic subjects in their blood and treasure of the people to replace the Pope in that very station in civil rights, and whether any and what remedy ought to be applied." which they now thought fit to be afraid of him! they first raised the phantom, and then lost their wits in terror of it! If, as formerly, a league of Catholic Sovereigns were caballing to subvert the liberties through the religion of this country, Ministers ought to be impeached for having created the danger, for they were the authors of the present Continental System, and had actually caused British soldiers to mount guard at the Vatican, to protect the very Dignitary who now occasioned the alarm. What imbecility was this! It was indeed a pleasant situation, to be compelled to keep six millions of people in a state of discontent, through peril of a Pope of their own creation! We had agreed to the destruction of all the minor states of Europe and the balance of power; we had divided the Continent amongst two or three Sovereigns, who had already taken offence at our recognition of South America; we had allowed Spain to be laid hold on; and we were surrounded by Holy Allies, whose strength we had created by the waste of our blood and treasure, and at the expense of the liberties of Europe! These Powers were now objects of alarm to us; and instead of securing the affections of six millions of men, by our neglect and contempt of them, we made an opening in Ireland for the first of our Holy Allies who might deem it convenient to invade us. If ever England was destined to sink, Ireland was the sea in which she would be swamped. Yet Ireland was well worthy of English alliance. It was quite a miracle that Ireland had been held during the last war. Had the Commander of that force which reached Bantry-bay not been divided from his fleet, or had the second in command landed, Ireland would have been lost, and the sun of England would have set for ever! But we must not presume upon such good fortune again; for the ignorance which then existed exists no longer. The eyes of the Continental Powers were fixed on Ireland-he said this distinctly-their eyes were directed towards that Country; their Court Journals took a tender interest in its affairs; they lectured us upon our conduct; they scoffed at our exertions in favour of negroes, and slaves, and declared that there was not in the whole world a more odious tyranny than that we exercised upon our Irish Catholic subjects! Such benevolent displays might well arouse suspicion in our breasts, and a wise Government would look about to counteract the threateaed mischief, for no man could calculate what might happen in the event of a war. It was clearly to the interest of all, whether the worshippers of God or Mammon, to do ample and immediate justice to the people of Ireland. Their claims rested on the broad basis of a covenant-on all which ought to be held sacred between man and man. And what did they

Mr. CROKER seconded the motion, observing that he should not however support the question of emancipation, unless a provision was made for the Catholic Clergy.

Mr. L. FOSTER said, he would vote for the motion, if he could divest himself of the fear that it would be injurious to the Established Church in Ireland; but Emancipation would be attended with consequences inconvenient to the existence of that Church. The number of Irish Catholics were greatly over-rated, and that of the Protestants diminished. The population of Ireland in 1821 was 6,800,000, of which about 4,900,000 were Catholics, and 1,860,000 were Protestants of all denominations. On the Continent, the Catholic religion had been restored to all its old superstitions; and if the present King of France cast an eye towards Ireland, it was an eye of religion, not of politics. (Hear, hear!) He firmly believed, that the re-establishment of the Catholic faith in all parts of the world was the leading passion in his mind. (Hear, hear!) The Chair of St. Peter was filled by a Pope whose equal had not been vested with the tiara for many centuries, and he was exerting all his power to regain the influence which once belonged to his station. (Hear, hear!) The Jesuits were again established in France, Spain, Ireland, and even in England. (Hear, and laughter). The Catholic religion was again dealing out its miracles and indulgences, and displaying its ancient spirit of intolerance. It was the very last time, therefore, to make concessions to the Catholics, under circumstances which even the friends of Emancipation admitted to be full of danger. (Hear!) He was hostile to the proposed change, because the Catholics were meddling in political matters, and he knew that the alliance between Religion and Politics was always dangerous. (Hear, hear!) He would not give up any of the principles of the British Constitution, and he had always been led to consider the compact between Church and State to form one of those principles. (Hear!) To any measure, therefore, which tended to weaken that compact, he should always oppose the most strenuous resistance. The Hon. Gentleman, after eulogizing the Union between the Protestant Church and State at some length, sat down amid considerable cheering, declaring that he could by no means give his assent to the proposition of Sir F. Burdett.

Mr. CANNING addressed the House in a short speech, leaning all the time upon his stick, and speaking in a very feeble tone of voice, as if greatly indisposed, which he said he was. He praised the moderation with which the Hon. Baronet had conducted the discussion, and said he

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