Star. — London, England, 1830-01-05 00:00:00

COLUMBIA. TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR. LETTER IX. Boom, San:. 29, 1529. Si a,—On seeing the independence of Columbia con firmed, and that the instability of its system and govern ment had ceased, several of the great Powers seriously thought of establishing relations with us on a solid basis. Under the direction of the venerable MONROE, the United States of America were the first to offer us a hand for • our introduction into the society of nations. Despotism being enthroned in almost the whole of the European Continent, the absurd doctrine of divine right being revived, and liberty in Italy and Spain prostrated, in vain some of those despotic Governments, which formed a part of the Holy Alliance, desired to take another step in their plan of intervention, and to re-impose on America the chains she had recently broken. Fortunately for humanity, the policy of the British Cabinet was no longer directed by the Minister, who had lent himself to the views of the Allied Monarchs, and who had disappointed the hopes of many nations. With the death of Lord LONDON DERRY, the whole of the political system esta blished at Vienna, and reinforced by the more antisocial principles of Troppau and of Laybach, was left in a fluctuating state, and the illustrious CANNING had been placed in the direction of the Foreign Affairs of Great Britain, " which New Columbus, separating himself from the Old World at the call of the New World, gave a distinct direction to the foreign and domestic policy of his country, and illuminated the prospects of the whole globe." The Cabinet of Washington having agreed with him as to the means ef covering America with their aegis, and frustrating, in case of necessity, the views of the enemies of the liberties of her people, the President MONROE, in a Message to Congress, declared, " that every attempt on the part of the Allied Powers against the New States of America would be considered as a manifestation of hostile intentions towards the United States," and proclaimed to the world, " that the time was past for the Western Hemisphere to serve as farms of colonization to Europe." The echo of the mes sage pronounced in the Capitol, resounded far and wide. The Government of GEORGE IV. recognised the inde pendence of those American States which had succeeded in establishing themselves, and Columbia marching always in their van, was the first whose Minister was received in London conformably to the usages of nations. Treaties of friendship, and of 'commerce, being con cluded with the United States and Great Britain, and an alliance with those nations on our Continent which had been dismembered from the Spanish Monarchy being made, and amicable relations with France, the Low. Countries, Switzerland, and the Brazils, having been established, the American Congress, composed of the Representatives of Columbia, Peru, Central America, and Mexico, and assisted by a Commissioner from Great Britain, and another from the Low Countries; as sembled in Panama. The idea of this Amphitrion Council, announced by BoLIVAR In Guyana in 1818, had produced the best effects * at that tipisch; in which an eminent common danger was sufficient to stifle the spirit of rivalry and jealousy ; and even at•that later moment, when a part of the Holy Alliance showed its malevolent spirit towards the political system which prevailed in America, at the aspect of this immense body, moved by the same powerful sentiment, in the defence of its common rights, respect would have been imposed on its antagonists. But the danger which menaced having passed, and there being no longer any practical utility in the project, it was not easy to overcome the physical and moral difficulties which presented themselves to its execu tion. In consequence, all the American States did not approve of this Assembly, and all that was done was to frame a Treaty of Union, impracticable in many respects, which bound the States in a perpetual federation, and a further convention, with regard to the land and sea con tingents, which each State would supply for the com mon defence, or suitable offence.—lll-founded jealousies obliged the Congress to remove to Tacitbaya—.-sub sequent circumstances dissolved it, and Columbia has alone ratified the conventions concluded. Thus vanished into air the hopes which the friends of humanity had conceived of this assembly. The English nation, even before its Government had recognized our independence, had engaged in important speculations with Columbia. Two loans had been realised in London in favour of this State, which, although they afforded immediate relief to the treasury of the re public, exhausted by such a long warfare, by former, debts, by our great necessities, and by the inadequacy of our revenue to provide for so many charges, nevertheless did not delay to involve us in great embarrassments. This was to be expected; for although every loan nego- - fisted within a country may produce great advantages to its community, by preventing too great a pressure of, taxation at the moment of need, by augmenting the cir culating medium, by giving activity to all the industry, and life to the speculations of the public, and thus spread ing abundance and comfort, whilst connecting the interests of the governed with the governing; —on the contrary, every loan contracted with the foreigner degrades the State making it, rendering it the future tributary as it were of a sinecure payment, and impoverishing it still more, by extracting from it the sums necessary to pay the interest and Sinking Fund; thus diminishing the circu lating medium, paralysing all internal undertakings, and, by adding to the misery, fomenting the discontent of the people. But if these Foreign Loans were ruinous in thispoint of view to Columbia, her commerce every day acquired' increase by the capital which the enterprising public of, England invested in the mines, and various agricultural, and colonising speculations. With. the introduction of considerable sums in money, or In commodities, and' by the immigration of foreigners, landed property in creavid in value. The mining establishments improved. The people acquired new tastes, found greater facility to . . I provide for thei r s u bsistence, to satisfy their wants, and dispose of their produce; and the general complexion of society made considerable progress, from the introduction of knowledge and refinement. Columbia thus presented herself to the eyes of super.- icial observers irradiated with an interior, and exterior splendour. They imagined five years had been sufficient to renew all our customs, to correct our vicious social, and political education, and to assure the permanence the new system—but the philosophical observer knew that such a number of years was very little in the life d States, that laws were not established because they wesa written—that it was necessary they should be engrave' in the hearts, and animate the thoughts ; that political systems, to repose on solid bases, must find force, aid protection in the national character ; that, in short, in stitutions which have to be incorporated with manners, and usages cannot be judged of by the apparent regularity of the political match of affairs. It was evident to such, that the tranquillity enjoyed by the Republic was due to the danger that had not yet passed away, to the weariness which all felt, and the consequent demand for repose, to the hallucinations et that glory which prevented a steady view being taken of our real situation, and to the lethargy which bad fol lowed the intoxications of our triumphs. It was clear t• the undazzled observer, that the first moment these causes ceased to operate, the edifice of our illusions would fall to pieces. GARCIA DRL RIO. Rati►sA. Lama Vlll.—Line 43, first column. for Pointy. rood Risser; 6th line from the bottom of first column, for Pawl*, read Cucuta. THE DUKE 3 1 7"117T0N AND THE DUBE OF MARLBOROUGH. BATTY'S VIEWS OF OPORTO. The first part of wseriesof Engravings, comprising Select Views of the Principal Cities of Europe, from original paintings by Lieutenant Colonel BATTY, has been just published by , Moos, BOYS, and GRAVES, the spirited and liberal pnntsellers to the Nis°, Pall Mall. The city. of Oporto, situate upon the majestic and beauti fully winding Douro, has been selected for the subject of the present set. The engravings, five in number, with a vignette, which are faithful and accurate views, taken from the most advantageous situations, are exquisite pieces of workmanship, well calculated to advance the high reputation of the eminent artists who have executed them. It is not in language to convey a precise idea of their truth and delicacy: these can only be ascertained by actual inspection. We have seen many splendid prints, the effect of which was impaired by the insertion of figures of reference to explanatory notes on their sur face. From the great variety of remarkable and in teresting points which the . work, a perfect picture of the several scenes, embraces, this mode could not have been adopted without more than ordinary disadvantage. This defect has been avoided by the introduction of an etching, accompanying each view, which serves as a key to the finished engraving. This etching, which is, in fact, a skeleton map of the scene, has the further effect of impressing it in more vivid colours upon the mind. To the artificial view, it adds a complete idea of the natural qualities and character of the scene. In one plate the spectator beholds the picturesque and beautiful city of Oporto; As seen from the sea. There are three other interesting views of it from different commanding points on the North, and one from the South. It is seen in all the life and bustle of its trade in full activity ; and it is seen as it reposes on the banks of its beautiful river, in its quiescent but splendid edifices. There is a brief notice in French and English of each scene ; and taking the work as a whole, we consider it the most successful effort of genius to give a complete picture on a limited scale ever attempted. His approved talents and well known character would lead the world to anticipate nothing short of excellence from the taste, judgment, and industry of Lieut.-Col. BATTY. The present work will not disappoint the expectation, while at the same time it reflects the highest credit upon every party, whether artist, paper-maker, printer, or publisher, engaged in it. It is so printed, that it ranges with and forms a suitable companion not only to Lieutenant Colonel Barr v's former works of Et:ROPEAS SCENERY, but to all the principal bo.,ks of scenery published of late years. FROM A CORRESPONDENT. An article was copied into the STAR of yesterday from the Morning Herald, in which the conduct of the Duke of MARLBOROUGH was contrasted with that of the Duke of WELLINGTON in relation to the public Press. The inference in favour of the former, placing him in great ness of mind upon an elevation to which the latter can never lay claim, is irresistible ; but it is necessary to bring the two parties closer together, and to look a little more minutely into their relative positions, if we would truly estimate their respective merits. The conclusion drawn would have been equally just had they been both assailed by the public Press with equal bitterness, and with like success; but how vastly different is the real case? The The Asiatic Journal has commenced the year with a results were the antipodes of each other. Has the Duke New Series, the first Number of which is now before us. of WELLINGTON sustained injury from the attacks* of There are certain papers published in it, advocating a the Morning Journal? Does the sunshine of Royal fa- policy which is become very generally obnoxious in this your light upon him with diminished beams ? No family country—namely, the continuance of the existing mo below the Crown ever presented in England four bro- nopoly of trade to the Eastern world. We do not think them, with four distinct titles, sitting in the House of that an 7 thing now advanced in the Asiatic Journal on Lords. Heraldry presents no such aggrandisement in this subject, can turn the strong tide ofopinion which pre die family of a subject; and even in that of the Sove- vails against this monopoly; and for the present we are reign, since the reign of EDWARD 111. the case of the unsCilling* to meddle with the matter, seeing that the re pment Royal Family furnishes the only instance. generation of our Eastern tactics is in very able hands. Have any of these new Nobility, encumbered as Nevertheless, we have perused the present number of the they are with titles, honours, and emoluments, been Asiatic Journal with much pleasure, and we trust with disturbed or aggrieved? Have any of the Noble some profit It has a great variety of interesting mat- Duke's humbler or leas intimate friends and dependants, ter, from which we would willingly make ample extracts tricked out in all the gay plumage ,of place and if our space permitted this. ha notice " On the Neg pension, moulted a single feather? Not one.—Nay, l e a of British Indian Biography," and " the Judicial dim t hey remain safe and untouched as they were System of the lifahrottos," are well worthy of attention. Lbefore the breath of calumny assailed their chief. How We turn a few leaves, and come to an amusing article different was the fate of the Duke of MARLEOROUQH, on Ci nga lese Poetry and Demonology ; and we shall en : of his friends and followers ? Towards them the royal deaiour to amuse our Readers by a few portraits of Cep. Setor was changed into royal anger. They were all visited lon Devils,, as they are depicted from the life in Cinga with the displeasure of the Sovereign, degraded and re- haft writings and effigies : 'towed from office.. The. shafts of calumny flew thick 1. The devil Oddy, a very fierce and era el devil, who has the sag fast • but—unlike the libels of the Morning Journal, power of transforming himself into three different shapes, is thm they 110 w. with sure and deadly aim. The illustrious hero, described : his dress is formed of twenty-eight cobra-capelles, 111.1111111 whom they were principally directed, bled at which are twisting in graceful coils round his body. His eyes are lofty pore. He fell like a giant, and like the giant blue • hisbody Is of a gold colour; his face is dreadful ; his mouth dold, he rose from the earth with more than renovated Is v ast, with a snake betwixt his teeth. His bead-dress is coca. almberth and vigour. The innate vital power of conscious posed of twenty heads of cobra-capeUas. He is mounted on a purky sufficed to dispel the clouds which for a time ob- bone, and holds a pot of ere. sewed his character, but that character could never have I. The great black devil, who is a foreign demon, is made of recovered its former lustre had it stood in need of the mud, with a cap on his head, four hands holding two swords. a assistance of an Attorney-General to remove the veil.— shield, ands putr el l i rea. Four si buffaloes him. on Ms cobra-oa- On the ground of magnanimity the Duke of Wzmagto- pgm b"d " 'tbreast' wfan and his waist, a ai re st, and a n notter tops t hfs e c re r; wn. TON has thus voluntarily chosen an inferior station. s. The devil of the victim, who haunts the sea and places where Have the late prosecutions evinced more worldly wiz- there is plenty of water, has a long black face, like that of a mop dom ? If Mr. ALEXANDER were not a fool or a mad- tubbed with oil and blood. His teeth project beyond'tbe lips; man, and we do not assign him the rank of either, he must his chin glistens ;itis as long as a rock. He always rides on a cat. have had some determinate object in view in his attacks 4. The Devil called Marsha has a blue body, with a broad face upon the Noble Duke. Now is it superior wisdom, the colour of a Paortrowtidr are :re i t l aZ d aLtti c an f w lit does it argue even common sense to facilitate the purpose cobra-apnea an both aides d three devil's images. He hold* the h es oods of of an enemy ? What would be thought of the military two cebes-eapelias in each hand. lie carries an iron rod, sad talents of the Noble Duke, if, when he supposed himself makes a furious deafening noise, being always intoxicated with ter out-manoeuvring his opponent in the field, he was only ase_o . ted liquor. playing into his hand, and giving him a triumph, which, s nic iti d" c II of death is very te "He e three placed ally in a line with the nose. His moo tbexte e l y s:l 6 ;fress without such aid, he could never have achieved ?—The ene N air . an d i s furnish e d with grinning teeth s h ar p an glass, sit charges in the Mortally Journal were defeated by their two monstrous tasks. lie has four bands, in one of which be bete own folly and extravagance. No voice responded to the th, dart of death. His body is rubbed with red sandal ; and be calL No heart participated in the wishes of the writer. Tears a kind of breastplate, which is an appalling Medusa-like They were perfectly harmless, and could lead to ne re- A multitude of other distinguished devils are equal objects of sults. The prosecutions have given them importance, adoration. or of precaution, such as the great grave-yard devil, who and assisted the author in his aspirations. Mr. Ism tise bead of a wolf, can grasp an elephant with his hand, sad ALEXANDER has obtained a share of public sym- *cut aerrock eatingl w a d es aesh ns ol the Black S t e e a n • la ::e d at e ,: "" pathy. He has obtained a degree of notoriety, d Of blood-thirsty devil, who sports in pools of blood, and sangui nar y ap! which, without such assistance, his writings could preached by making incisions la the body attic votary, Ott. ver achieve. His name will float down to pos- The customary offerings to these beings cognised lowers, sweet. terity with that of the Noble Duke in the records wease l agar, meat, tried Sob, boiled rice coloured or kneaded vritb of the present day, the one as the asserter, the other as wad. odoriferooe woods, mustard, cow-butter, pan-cakes, betel. leaf, ate. They are presented to the devils with denting and re. the opponent of the Ebert of the . venues; the devil-priest is called cepties4 whence the demon,. ' The unexpected reeking up of the frost has come Pow/ if C e / I ° ° it termed carnis." very .rtunely for " the poor frozen-out gardeners," We are not prepared to say whether . the author of this who h begun to perambulate the streets, as usual, with descitiption means that the above are bond fide devils cabbages in mourning. Ceylon ; or whether his account is purely apocryphal. Our Paris letters of Saturday say that a thaw had Moll might be observe that this system of d • commenced; but as the wind continued unchanged, the would have afforded delectable reading to our James amelioration of the temperature was not expected to last It would appear that in Ceylon—as in all other parts of for any length of time. the world which they inhabit—devils retain a virtual Saturday brought a decided thaw, which rendered the sovereignty, or rather a despotic power over the streets of London in many instances impassable, except " whose Creed, is crowded with demons in more through lakes of water, mud, dissolving cakes f snow, shapes than ever peopled the fanc y of a molly and pounded ice. Cheapside was in a dreadful state, and man in the month of November . " They are so was Fleet -street, reflecting no great credit on the City because they are objects of fear. We are assured police and management. The roads in the suburbs were when the immaculate Buddha visited Ceylon, he found also bad enough; and the paths, the thawed ice dragging the devils so thick that he could not find space east* up with its remains the fixed gravel, were yesterday in a, between them to imprint his holy foot-mark, and was horrible state. obliged to mow a few of them down. Though fierce as We mentioned a few weeks ago, in reference to the' well as numerous, they were no match, however, for incarceration of JOSEPH MILES MACDONNILL, Fug human invading, from the neighbouring Continent, who that hie ease was referred by the Government to tbs Lord gradually expelled them from the island; excepting one NEW FARRINGDON lIARICRT—THIS DAY. Chief Justice. Yesterday the Hi g h Sheriff o f the c ounty pertinacious demon, who, with dogged obstinacy, held 11.4 it a peony and tbreve-lapesse per lb. duo* at this of Dublin received a notification from Lord Lev non possession for a number of centuries. He had not die- market than it was daring she Cbrimas weak ; ma th!! supply Member. have dem nomb so keep down the price of mew.— °Ow Ea in timating that the period of Mr. MACDON- appeared eves in the time of KNOX; WEO, though . it " geed. Mr . Clark at one end " t he ww° air . Pipe r a t WILL'S P confinement was reduced to three months , and was not his sod or hie fallow to goo him, Paltry* Prime per 1b.% the ceesenter : directing his enlargement on th e 19th February, be —as ha tells us—heard him rear This island, in abort, Vaaa,--Lse. Yd. laseid•r. 51d. LA. rd. Ikesu, 741. Dam— having first paid the fine of 501. to the KING and en- woe winded Pataltatattualt We shall, on a fawn' oc- 11"4!" pia , 14' and"' Cherie taw * A N' 64411141 ale"' 44. tared into recognizance, to keep the peace ' for moves paboF have reeves' to the paps of the Asiatic Journal allti 'I L a l es) a mmeit Y l 50 * A 111819 a Beg ' id ' Pet lb. =Steaks. ed. ead led. atemem—Wetbee Lis ed. end ltd. years, himself in 5001. and two sureties in 2501. each.—.. for ldwalatiall of a *Swan complexion than what we .it seek 41d. Dread, 44. t• Sid Dublin Freeman's Journal. have Been now treating of. • Yepetablea sad helm were is abeedseee. CEYLON DEVILS. HIGH RETAIL PRICES OF BOOKS. Saturday evening last, at a meeting of the managers of the CUT of London Literary and Scientific Institution, at then mansion In Aldengate-street. the Secretary, amongst other com munications made to them. read a letter from their bookseller, which letter announced that, in consequence of a general resolution entered into by " the trade," be could now only allow a discount • of 15 per cent. from the publishing price of the works he supplied. In consequence of the large purchases previously made for the Institution, and prompt payment, 25 per cent. had been the cue tomary discount. One of the managers stated, that as administrators of the funds of the parent and chief institution of this nature in the metropolis, it became their duty to set an example with respect to this combina tion of the booksellers. It was an attempt on the part of these tradesmen to sustain the old and indolent system of trade, or large profits oo small sales, against the new system of trade, or small pro fits on large sales, with better payment. The attempt could only end in proving to the public the folly and ignorance of the body by whom it was made. It could by possibility succeed only to the extent of causing books to be sold clandestinely, at the same moderate and reasonable prices at which they were now beginning to be sold openly. Members even of the monopoly would eventually, by covert allowances, sell goods at the reduced prices. and the only effect of the change would be to foster habits of false hood and dissimulation. Thirty per cent. (he believed the booksellers got more) was a retail probe far greater than ought, as compared with other trades, to be demanded; but be that as it might, it was a greater profit than the public would continue to pay. The days of the booksellers' favourites, the costly quartos, were gone; it was impossible that the trade could recall them : and the rewJrd of the general support of all classes to the recent publications in cheap. convenient, and elegant forms, might have shown th e neces sity of conforming to the new direction of the public taste and will. If, as was complained, rents of splendid shops were high, those rents must be reduced. for the public would not continue to give high prices to pay them ; nor would statements of lasses from bad debts be „listened to. The large profits of the old system in dneed tradesmelt to give credit too readily, on the calculation of making the good debts pay for the bad ; or, in other words, ea! making the regular and honest who do pay, become answerable for the defalcation of the irregular and profligate, who do not pay. The system of dealing for small profits, by diminishing the habit of giving enormous credits would be attended wish no inconsider able moral advantages. Anything, however, which tended to keep up the prices of books, and render knowledge less accessible, and literary pursuits more expensive, ought to be especially repre hended and repressed. Ihe managers having to purvey intel lectual food for their SOO members, were bound to obtain the largest quantity of books which their funds could procure.—. Even if the regular supply could not be at once obtained at a cheaper rate than that now proposed, be considered that this, and other similar institutions, and all book-secieties,nught to withdraw their custom from their present tradesmen, if they were members of the combination, and, as a lesson to similar conspirators, deal with the more bumble of the trade, who would be grateful fur whatever patronage was given to them. But he had no doubt that amongst the trade numbers would be found " unprincipled" enough to sell books at moderate prlces,—" unprincipled" enough not to forego small profits when large profits were inaccessible. A Gentleman here stated that one large house had refused to join the combination, and he had no doubt that there were many others who would never accede to it. The gentleman who had Bra spoken on the subject, said that in that case a list of the members of the solemn league and covenant against knowledge being sold too cheap, would show with whom the public could deal with the least advantage. Another member stated that his bookseller (whom he would not name, but who was one of the Covenant) had that day told him not to think of removing his custom, for, as an old friend, he should still be supplied at the old reduced price. (A laugh.) The attempt was perfectly ridiculous. It was, however, urged, that no countenance should be given to it ; and a resolutieo was moved, and carried unanimously, that all further orders to the bookseller who had announced his intention of acting Inconformity to the resolution of the trade should be sus. prude& Madame PASTA has contracted an engagement for the winter, at the Copenhagen Theatre. She is also en gaged to attend a Carnival at Verona, where she is to receive 1200 Napoleons d'or. New ITALIAN 0-PRILA —On Sunday, the 13th ult. a new Opera was produced at the Theatre Italien, iu Paris. It is called "Le Nozze di Lammermoor," and of course is taken from Sir WALTER Scorr's Novel. The music is by M. CA RATA, and is spoken very In ! -Itly of. It was completely successful. The part of Lucir was sustained by Mademoiselle Sowrso ; that of Lady Ashton by Madame PESARONI. Doxzez.t.l,ZuenEi.t.l. SANTINI, and GRAZ IA No, also played principal parts. Mr. COURTENAY, the Vice-President of the Board of Trade, is at present at Florence, where his Lady's con finement has just taken place. We understand that a meeting took place on Tuesday morning, between the Hon. J. and J. B. G—RIE, Esq. of —, near to Newland Bridge-end Toll, Peebleshire. After an exchange of shots, the affair was amicably adjusted.—Edinburgh Courant. The new Society, culled the " Literary Union," is about to occupy the house in Waterloo-place, just vacated by the members of the Athenaeum. In spite of the doctrine of Malthus, and the unfavoura ble state of the times, matrimony seems still to be " the ruling► passion" with both sexes. Friday is generally looked upon as an ominous day on which to enter .into " the holy bond ;" but, when Christmas and New Year's Day happen to fall on Fridays, it seems to alter the case in some districts ; for on Friday week there were seven marriages, and on New Year's Day twelve, at the parish church of Blackburn ! Some of them were so impatient to tie the " knot" that they arrived at the church before eight o'clock in the morning, notwithstanding the cold ness of the weather ! The iron and lead trades continue in a very depressed state. A great quantity of iron is disposed of ; but so much has the production of the article been increased by the opening of new mines and Works, that the prices are kept very low.—Sheffield Mercury. Meat has experienced a further reduction of price in various parts of England, but it has advanced consider ably in Dublin since Christmas. This is solely attrilut talhi to the combination of the butchers, which exceeds all other combinations in the system and dexterity with which it is carried on. If the graziers made the experi ment of forming a slaughtering company, as their brethren have been compelled to do in several parts of England, they would get much higher prices for their cattle, and the markets would be greatly lowered to the consumer:—.Uttblia Morning Register. As might be expected at this period of the year, the trade in our bashour has been in a languid state for some weeks. Owing to low prices, the importation of grain from Ireland has nearly ceased, while some shipments of the same article have been made to Liverpool in the ex pectation of finding a better market. The foreign arri vals are but few, and a considerable number of the steam ers are laid up, both here and at other ports.—Glasgow Chrouick. We have just been informed that the deficiency in the 'revenue will not prove so great as has been anticipated by some of our cotemporaries. 'This may in some mea sure be accounted for by the circumstance of the East India Company having paid to Government the - sum of five hundred thousand pounds fur duties within the last forty-eight hours. z...-. ~,~~~ V 'I 1