Star. — London, England, 1831-04-28 00:00:00

' 4 fe k if V• 9 • . 7•••11.••••lp1111M . t. 1 , . . 1 . i• • . • . . . . - • • •-; . , • . .......4‘ / • . )gli llik ! _ 011atry especially—the one as a question of revenue, the Oboe Wes its operating as as obstruction to the free cir- , i t' , / - cainaegof opinion, in the heavy charge it imposes upon the . ..-, 11110 i. periodictl prints. Journalism, which, in spite of all oppo- ___7.-"2-449 ri . ik s ti l i t e io d n ;ted bu ot do tory ne so mististr mneh ie t: ; en w l w itten inde thi t i d n i a t tio ev n e , r has been ...-.. . 1 --!..-,- '.. -- - % ,7 • ,• of all severnments, which do not acknowledge the people /00 ' N i I ........ i5i55A ii.............. ,........ as the source of power ; and beyond that, also nuke tbe 47) 0' 1 '' ' *a public welfare the sole object of their endeavours. Our consdOttion, in mere theory, acknowledges all that need be desired on the score of popular rights; bat then the practise and the theory have been working in opposite directions ; PAY EVENING, APRIL 28, 1831. be the profession s o f p u bli c men, it will be still their aim PRICE 71). and object to circumscribe the rights of ibe people within I , o th p e in n io a n rro u we m s u t c l i i i m u its posei , and bie to . res w t e rata the free circulation of his arm, the fisherman goes out daily to his occupation. With his must, therefore, take the NIAMBER of the net t a his shoulders, he proceeds to w ork , without a b o a t , an d stretc h es p ro p ose d re d uct i on o f d uty at this time as an acknowledg- It in the deepest and moo ext e n s i ve :aka, supported with t hi s buoy- ineut of the necessity of conceding something, under this ) p on WEDNESDAY. ant f aggot e it is to be observed, that the c u ttin g o f thi s mater i a l i nto l eaves nr head, to pacify p u bli c f ee li ng; an d we may assume also, that that something i s meant to h e j ust as li tt l e, as i t may lamina, is not performed by transverse sections of the stem, but made vertically round the stem. The most perfect stems are selected for this be expected, public clamour will be satisfied with. That purposes few are found sufficiently free from knots to prod cut-the • • . • produce a ings of the most rufous Majesty, take tine of more than nine or ten inches in lenth. talon of their heartfelt "We may consider the whole stem of the plant as pith, for the bark relief, is beyond all quest i on , an d yet i t goes a part o f t h e ion and bappinem o r is to thin and tender, that it may be scratel,ed off with the thumb nail. way to what would be. , The lamina run in different lengths. In Bengal the plant is called The idea of now checking the expression of opinion by l . env tax upon newspapers would be a complete absurdity is Royal Premliat've iho a, comnionly pronounced sots. The plant is an annual : the fo. purpose (as declared hag.: and other parts of the plant, where water Is wanting, die down to Will - • . • • . • • ' tne proprietors of the large establishments for conduct- i 1 maiming the Dense of the roots; but where water is plentiful, the stems remain end branch g ing them wi th e c h ange , w ith t h e f avoura bl e moment windmill , and so- out afresh in the proper amen." deg -- --- fo r journal " euninciplitieo l " and not asek to free them- I ' suck changes is THE RIDEAU CANAL. melees from their fetter*? Is It seta disgrace tot ...! na- or is require, and /Ida canal, lately cut in Upper Canada, and for the prosecution of . ,_ ~. . - 444 , ot the o mi t. z..ritch an annual great has been Oven !ly tile British Parliament, bes II" ( "111 an =Post 1 11 stab da - ardetelt s.. , betthe bent In progress shoe 1826, and is one of the moo stupendous Elder- subject - of proilthßwry timatrisa, mod is sada* of t I to- _ 4 ' i . r ...IN . delis apd PrerniP takings of modern times. It ex ten d s a di st a ste o f 180 mil es . b etween fm owl swernn aant ........ 7 71... :•.... . ._ .. ( DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT. CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY ELECTION. T ORD PALMERSTON'S COMMITTEE meet daily at LI the UNION HOTEL, Coctspur-street : the Right Hon. CHAR GRANT in the Chair. It is requested that all communications re specting the election may be addressed to the Chairman, at the Com mittee-room. TO THE WORTHY AND INDEPENDENT LIVERY OF 'LONDON. GENTLIMIEW, icHE Dissolution of Parliament having taken place, I take leave most respectfully to solicit the honour of ►eiag a third km returned one of your Representatives. - kly public conduct is known to you. 1 have proved myself an uncom iromising advocate of retrenchment in the public expenditure ; and the otes 1 have recently given in support of the " Bill to amend the Repre sentation of the People," afford conclusive evidence of my opinion in fa vour of " the expediency of making such changes in the representation u circumstances may appear to require, and which founded upon the acknowledged principles of the Constitution, may tend at once to up. hold the just rights and prerogatives of the Crown, and to give *murky to the liberties of the people." If _by your favor, the object of my ambition be attained, I pl e d ge myself to use every effort to correct the abuses In the Constitution of the Rouse of Commons ; to apply myself with undiminished seal to promote the Commercial, Shipping, and Trading Interests of the Port of London, convinced that these objects are essentially calculated to in ure the most solid advantages to all classes of my Fellow Citizens. The Election will erepaenee on FRIDAY next, at one o'clock, who I earnestly requramirt heft at your oeSseldruir at the thildhalk, to iouPPoot my, ofooVi taimr —' hawk to be, douleserb',. • •-•' . ....: 4411 " * tatato mmitabbia ... • z. • ' Ol :WILLIAM THOMPSON.. Upper Theirarearese, 236 Ape., 1831. N°. 13,770. THURS D. UT, Mayo*, A COMMON COUNCIL, holden In the CHA GUILDHALL of the CITY of LONDON, on " the 27th day of April, 1831. RICIIIOLVE, UWANIXOUSLY : THAT this Court, animated by feelings devoted loyalty and attachment to his most gracious this the earliest opportunity of mottling the expression gratitude far his " paternal anxiety for the iris people," manifested by the recent exercised his _ in the dissolution of the late Parliament, for the purpose in his Majesty's most gentians Elpeech) " of ascertaining . the people, In the way in which it tan be most constitutionally thondeolly ozpriumni, on do expediesey of mating the Repro.Wise 'as CITIIIMIUMOIS may appear ebigh; *Aid We thiniebicookelisi 1411sn, may tend at suet tor ',hold the just Tighee preroga• oilless sit the flown, and taxi's Newby to the libellee of the people." Remind: That this Court, feelingly slim- to the ImportanM of the prat aids, and deeply sensible how much the future happiness of the VIA* depends on the appeal of our Mast Gracious Sovereign being lie)/ an 1111111 est and powerful response on the part of his People in Avow of the great measure of Parliamentary Reform, are anxious to express their confident hope that at the General Election about to take place, all minor considerations will be absorbed in the sae gnat duty before the Electors of promoting their country's welfare, and that, sacrificing to that paramount object all prejudices, interests, partialities, and friendships, they will exert their undivided energies to peocure the return of such Members, and such Members only as will unequivocally pledge themselves to support his Majesty's Ministers in carrying the great Question of Reform to a successful issue, and thereby overthrow ing a faction arrayed in hostility against the Liberties of their Country, and seeking to maintain themselves in the usurpation of a power sa. known to the Constitution, and no less injurious to the prerogatives of the Crown, than destructive of the legitimate Rights of the People. WOO DT 14 OR PK disgrace to a f., ' iwaSsparnill ket the a-eiesip of Pto fon nil and permanent peace ? Does it seem consistent, that, under an administration which, while out of power, advo cated an unrestricted freedom of the press, a relief so per fectly nominal should be contemplated, as that it will be im perceptible in its operation, except to the extent that it must prove injurious to the revenue ? And is it not singular that the same ministers suffer this to stand as a war tax, while, the very idea of taxing property, however demanded by the public voice, should be exclaimed against by them, almost sea voce, on the very ground of our being in a state of peace ? A small tax upon property which can well bear it, to be considered more opposed to principle than a heavy one upon knowledge, which to the body of the people operates as a prohibition. It being, too, the holders of property who have been the supporters of the system which has en tailed such permanent inflictions upon the community—and of the amount of taxation wrung from us, two-thirds of its • produce actually going as a contribution to that same thing Silled property, and the remainder, God knows where ! There ie another ground,beyond the mere justice and policy of the measure, upon which we would claim the total abandonment of the tax. It is proposed to extend the elec tive franchise to householders rated as low as 101. a year. Does this measure call for no corresponding alterations in other particulars? Can it be contended that a newspaper should not come within the reach of, at least, every elector, that the whole of our constituent body may stand some chance of being men of decent intelligence ? After all— we greatly doubt, not the fact of ministers being sincere and eerasst.ip their desire to relieve the press from the shackles hilpetiell upon it by their predecessors; but that the abate ment proposed has reference to the rats of duty charged in Ireland, as it is intended to equalize the stamps in the two countries. takings of modern times. It extends a distance of IMO miL,, between the Ottawa river and Lake Ontario. la the year ISM, the whole elt the ground was en uncleaned wilderness; there was no prospect for thp , length of five yards but what was cleared by the axe, and when we, consider the difficulty of penetrating wood, some idea may be foamed of the immense labour attending the undertaking. The canal has bees estimated to cost 19(1,0001 and it is calculated that in a few years it will be finished as far as the summit level, when steam boats may go up from Quebec to Lake Superior. From thence, with little trouble, they will peas through the notch of the Rocky Mountains, and descend by means of lochs down the Columbia, to the Pacific Ocean; or by a better mute, go down Cook's river, or the large Salmon river at Noakes Sound. In this way the commerce and navigation of the world may take a new direction. Instead of doubling of capes, and wait! fee trade winds, ships will steer their course directly through the of America, and, as in the days of Columbus, approach India by die westward. Merchandise will find out new depots, and towns may arise, in the northern wilderness that shall eclipse in wealth the Ada tale of Europe. "The town of Nootka," observes Mr. 11 the engineer of the work, 66 is likely to be as extensive as 14 1 = 16 6 1 4 ought to be laid out on an enlarged plan, as the trade between k the oriental world may become wonderfully great in a short r ibi t time. Then. when the steam packet line is established between and London, we may come and go between China and Britain in shoat two months. The stages on this road will be London, Cove of Cork, the Azores, Newfoundland, Quebec, Montreal, Kingston, Port Dal. !tousle, Port Maitland, Erie, Huron, Superior, Rocky bfountains, Ana. basks, Nootka, and Canton." Such a project, although the bra an sot generally known, cannot be considered impracticable, b Imm tainly a gigantic eff ort of ingenuity and enterprise. TO THE GENTLEMEN, CLERGY, AND FREEHOLDERS OF THE COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON. GENTLEMEN, THE measure proposed by his Majesty's Ministers for reforming the Representation of the People in Parliament, bas received, as they hope and believe, the approbation of the majority of their fellow-countrymen. On the second reading of the Rill in the House of Commons, the proposition was carried by a bete majority of one; and since this another division has taken place, in ,which the opponents of Reform obtained the majority. The question decided by this last division did not indeed essentially affect the principle of tbej measure, but the circumstances under which it was proposed and carried, put an end to all hope that the Hill woulit pees through a Committee, without such alteration as would ea. sentially change its character, and destroy its efficiency. In this state ' - 'oflPngp it became our duty seriously to consider, and to compare the inconvenience of a General Election at the present moment with the danger of disappointing the just expectations of the people, and we have felt it our duty to advise his Majesty to dissolve the Parliament In graciously adopting this advice, his Majesty has given to his people an opportunity of manifesting their opinion on the great question of a Reform in the House of Commons, in which their interests use deeply involved. If they are satisfied with the present state of the Representation, be it so. If they are not, they have now the power, by great exertions undoubtedly, and by the sacrifice in some instances perhaps of personal feelings and personal interests, to make their wishes attended to in the House of Commons, constituted even as it now is. If they neglect to take advantage of this opportunity, it may be very long before they again have the power of effecting their object. The question is placed in their hands, and it is for them to decide it. You have long known, Gentlemen, my opinions upon this subject ; yea have frequently elected me when perfectly aware of what those opinions were, and I cannot, therefore, doubt that you will have ap proved of my having endeavoured to carry them into effect on the first opportunity which has been placed within my leech. Your approba tion, next to that of my own meadows, is tire.hisboia spatifieatlea trblch I can experience. I appeal to you with perfect confidence; and trust, that when the day of Election arrives, you will again return me se your Representative in Parliament. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your most obliged and obedient humble servant, Downing-street, April W, 1831. ALTHORP. STAMPS UPON NEWSPAPRRS. Prom the Modern Jurist. We abridge the following article from the seesawi and third Numbers of the Modern Jwttisl, and Usaiwsysal Etsgsbur—a publics. don which promises to be eminently useful in the exposure and correc tion of many existing abuses. BIRMINGHAM POLITICAL UNION. ADDRESS of the COUNCIL of the BIRMINGHAM POLL TICAL UNION to all their FBLLOW.COUNTRYMEN in the UNITED KINGDOM. FRIENDS AND FILLOWXOIINTRTMEN, DEPUTED by the inhabitants of Birmingham to aupetintend their political interests, we think it our duty to ad dress you at this great crisis of our country's need. Our gracious Sovereign has nobly discharged his duty tote. Let ue not be unmindful of our duty to Aim, and to ourselves. Unawed by the clamours of the Borough fiction, and unaeduced by their wiles, our gracious Sovereign refers to us the arbitration of our own fate. Honour or shame ; liberty or slavery ; prosperity or adversity s—these are the great alternatives before us ! Between these it is given us to take our choice. And can we for a moment hesitate upon the choice which we shall adopt ? If we do, there is no fate which is too bad for us. We ought to be trampled into the earth. Our noble King sets at defiance the threats and machinations of our enemies. His Ministers exhibit patriotism and public spirit unequalled in the history of the world. His patriotic Nobility--auth illustrious men as the Dukes of Norfolk and Devonshire, and Lords Grosvenor, Cleveland, Fitawilliani, and Radnor, volutUarily surrender borough patronage of the value of millions sterling, in order that they may do justice to us! And shall we not do jussiee to ourselves. Friends and Fellow-countrymen i—By the liberty which our fathers tamed with their blood--by the long glories of our dear country—by the duties which you owe your King, your children, and your selves—by the hoarded wrongs which you have endured—by the British hearts which you have in your bosoms—by the suffer lust of millions of your unhappy countrymen, ridden down un der the hoof of a sordid and remorseless Oligarchy, we implore you to come forwird, and discharge your duty peacefully, legally, and ef f ectually, upon tfili great occasion. Forget for a while all private interests, all private arihnosities, sad all private friendships. Let dust be offered up on the altar of our country's safety. Let no violence or dilct)rd contaminate your meted cause. Let no private cares or occu pations prevent you from coming forward at the GREAT CALL of a PATRIOT KING. FRIENDS AND FELLOW-COUNTRYMEN, FREEHOLDERS Or COUNTIES, CITIZENS AND BURGESSES Or ENGLAND, SCOT LAND. AND IRELAND—We Implore you not to suffer any CANDI DATE to be returned to PARLIAMENT at the ensuing Election who is not a thorough friend of RFToRM, and who will not openly pledge himself to support all the great provisions of the BILL or Bureau brought forward by his MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT. By acting in this way you will ensure the liberty and the happiness of our beloved country. If you neglect this great opportunity, long Years of anarchy and revolution await us. May Coo nuns THE KING, and grant him all manner of prosperity .n this world, and bring him to everlasting happiness in that which IN come! THOMAS ATTWOOD, Ch-i m (By Order of the Council,) BENJAMIN HADLEY, Secretary. iiini,inghair., April 25, 11131. COLE'S PATENT TRUS S.—We recommend those who require the aid of a Truss, to peruse' The Gazette of Health,' Ott the modern treatment of Rupture. Published by William Coles, Truss Maker to his Majesty's Forces, 3, Charing Cross, and sold by Sherwood and Co. and other Booksellers, price 2d. Whisk mntainv the opinions of Sir Amity Cooper, and twenty other Su= on the prop at i ts of the above patent, as also the testimony of private individull. who have been cured by wearing them after the whet kind, of Truss had failed. The Gazette is a single letter, which Mt. Coles will forward (gratis) to any pert of th e wor ld. L etters must postlaid. • LITERATURE. POLAND. At the present period when the patriots of this country ate strugg ling to extricate themselves from the galling yoke of all grasping Russia, and who have excited in the breast of every one, who has a love of country, the strongest feelings, and a most fervent wish that their cause should be successful ; nay, eminently triumphant, and they may trample on the neck of their enemies ; every thing respecting the gallant Poles, and the unfortunate Stanislaw', their sovereign, cannot' fail to be interesting. " The wealth and jewellery, 'in the Kremlin at Moscow, I visited, is such, as almost to exceed belief , and absol u t e ly t o d azze a beholder, this place being actually piled to the very ceiling. One of the most interesting to the lover of his country, and who feels for suffering humanity, and if not the most valuable relics, is the crowns of Sint; of Poland, with the Mein of the order of the While Eagle. No man can look upon this diadem without giving a sigh to the fate of that most unfortunate monarch, whose dominions were so scandalously and most unjustly wrested hem him. When the struggles of this country for its noble independence and liberty are called to mind, and the way and manner in which it had been ever. powered by the forces of Russia and Prussia, Ind that high bravery dis played by a distinguished leader, in resisting their acts of spoliation and usurpation, well may we exclaim, that • Freedom 'Wished,. Aim 11Caseioneke MI I •• • Never let it be blotted out of our recollection, that this mild and most inoffensive monarch was forced to lay down his crown, and become a stare prisoner, while his kingdom w as cu t u p an d part itioned ;—ass act of oppression, nay, robbery, which must one time be repaid by that Almighty Being, who has said, " Vengeance is mine, I will repay." As a refinement, too, of tyranny and hardness of heart, this degraded Sovereign was forced to be palatally present at the coronation of Paul, and tamely to listen, while it was proclaimed to the work!, that the in. dependence of his kingdom was to be extinguished, and incorporated with Russia ! Overcome with grief, so great was his agitation of mind on this °cession, that he almost dropped down on the spot. After submit ting to insults, taunts, and treated as the most worthless of characters, by those who had plundered him of his all, and the seizure of his royal person, he died of a broken heart in 1798. Insults continued even after his eyes had been closed on this wield, for not only his royal robes, nay, but the whole of his very clothes were brought to the hammer, and actually sold by public auction s at the same time shedding crocodile tears, and acting the part of a most accomplished hypocrite, the auto. crat embraced his coffin, attended his funeral, and went through all the farce of " mimicking sorrow." All true patriots, whatever may be their country—every one man I say, who has one spark of feeling for others who ate stripped of their property, trampled upon, treated as slaves, and the very uffscourings of the earth--must raise his voice, and loudly condemn, nay brand with infamy these unpar a ll e l e d acts . I n fact they were just as base, cruel, and manifettly unjust, as if a person were to invade his neighbour's estate, forcibly make him a prisoner, transport him to a distant land, and cut and carve and divide his pro. perty between himself and hie abettors. Let us watch, however, for that day of retribution, when these invaders must disgorge and surren der what they have so tin justifiably laid hold of, and be chastised by those against such arts of tyranny, robbery, and oppreesion. RICE PAPER. Although this substance is known to many persons, as a very beau tiful substitute for paper, and even preferable to it for making many kinds of drawings, and manufacturing artificial flowers, it bas generally we believe, been considered an article that has undergone some prepa. ratory process, and, being misled probably by its European name, the idea has gone abroad that it is composed of rice. If this peper be held up between the eye and the light, an exquisitely beautiful cellular tissue L observed, such as no art of matt could product or imitate. Its mode of preparation is a subject of much interest, es is the stem of the plant from which it is cut. The latter is evidently herbaceous, hollow in the centre, with a membranous transverse septum at each end, so that it appears to be the branch of a stem. The diameter is about an inch, sad the thickness of the parenchymatous substance is I:ttle more than half an inch, but of the purest possible white. It was Dr. Livingstone who first brought from China to Europe, 4 quantity of this substance, which be presented about twenty-five years ago to Miss Jane Jack, who was celebrated for the beauty and accuracy of her artificial flowers. Formed of rice paper, they obtained addi. tional celebrity, fetched very high prices, and were eagerly sought after by persons of the greatest rank and most acknowledged taste. For a bouquet which Miss Jack presented to the late Princess Charlotte of Wales, she received the regal present of 701. When Dr. Livingstone first procured the rice paper from the Chi nese, the pieces did not exceed five inches square ; they were dyed of various shades and colours, and cost about sixpence each square. Since that time the price has been much reduced, and the size of the pieces increased, so as to be upwards of a foot long, and five inches across, and preserving their natural whiteness. The tinted pieces are employed by the Chinese for their artificial flowers, and the plain white, for making drawings upon. Now, this material is so much esteemed throughout Europe, that it is in request with persona of all nations who visit Canton. The same substance being also known in our possessions in the East Indies, General Hardwicke, a gentleman whose long residence in India, and whose ardent love of natural history gave him opportu nities of studying botanical science above what others have enjoyed, drew out the tollowing account: " I am very glad that it is in my power to give information res. peering the substance known under the name of rice paper. It has often interested me, and gratified my curiosity, to remark, to how many useful purposes it is applied by the natives in indict. It grows abundantly on the marshy plains of Bengal and on the borders of jeels, or extensive lakes in every province between Calcutta and Hurd war. The plant is perennial, of straggling low growth, and seldom exceeds a diameter of two inches and a half in the stem. It is brought to the Calcutta bazaars, io great quantities, in a green state ; and the thickest stems are cut into lamina, front which the natives form artificial flowers, and various fancy ornaments to decorate their shrines at Hindoo festivals. The Indians maze hats of rice paper, by cement ing seipetber as many leaves as will make up to the proper thickness —in this way any kind of shape may be formed- —and when covered with silk or cloth the hats are strong and amazingly light. It is an ar ticle of great use to fishermen ; it forms floats of the best description to their extensive nets. The slender stems of the plant are bundled lint* (oscines of about three feet long ; and with one of these under A more obnoxious subject than the one under considera tion, could not well be selected for a government impost.— A tax upon intelligence is among the last to be resorted to, by a well principled government, or to be endured by a po pulation having pretensions to any thing beyond the mere name of freedom. But tardy conviction has at length thews that our state of national existence has long been one of habitual encroachment and corriptian on the part of the former, end of delusion and political degradation on that of 'the latter. Important changes are in progress. Under the reign of an honest alai popular king, and the presidency of a cabinet, devoting its last energies to the reform of our Le gislature; with a population unanimous in making common cause under leaders so distinguished; and the vast body of reformers (throwing aside their differences for the moment), joining under the banners of our new ministerial leaders; and all acting as one against the hydra of corruption, with the three hundred and one heads it has boldly raised against so powerful a phalanx ; the enemy is about to be engaged in his last strong holds of desperation ; and we have the prospect, at last, of being free. We do not propose here, to enter on an extended disser tation upon the liberty of the press; but we may lay down, as a general principle, that, as it Wan instrument employed, more or less, against all governments, so must all govern ments be, in their hearts, hostile to it, and anxious to keep it within as limited boundaries as possible. It is also clear, that one of the most effectual contrivances for giving en aris tocratical tinge to its mode of treating subjects is by sub jecting it to a heavy rate of taxation, that its price may ad mit but of one class of private subscribers—the wealthy, whose opinions (except in times of extremity like the pre sent,) are rarely in unison with those of the mass of the people—leaving to this numerous body but the secondary indulgence of becoming purchasers of a mere sight of that which the rich only can buy, while, as a right, it should be as accessible as possible to all. The mischiefs to which the high duties on newspapers lead are monstrous, and should be remedied as far as possible. It calls for more serious deliberation than the subject has yet received, whether—setting aside all objections on the score of principle—a tax upon newspapers is to be borne, when the evils to which it gives birth, are brought into the account. What is it that carries the middle classes to the , tavern, and the labouring ones to the " beer-shops r—the newspaper ! The mind of man thirsts for intelligence; sad it will be gratified, by all orders of society, let the obstruc dons in the way of it be what they may. Knowledge has become so universal throughout the country, that the work ing classes are as eager for it (perhaps more so), as the drones who read but to kill time. A newspaper, therefore, is indispensable to all—and all will see it. It gratifies a natural and laudable curiosity for intelligence—furnishes a rational and awreeable recreation —supplies materials for social converse ; and diverts the mind from the pressure of, probably, more painful thoughts. Is this, then, a ft subject for taxation—bearing, as it must do, most heavily on those who can ill afford that which, as the world is constituted, is almost a necessary of life ? But it may be said, that the thirst which leads men to the tavern and the ale-house is for that which is more in toxicating than politics. This we greatly doubt ; but if it be so, thanks to the general diffusion of education, this is 'the age in which reason has taken up her empire, and rea son will prevail in this, as in other things ;—present but the occasion, or rather, throw not, as it were purposely, at all events inconsiderately, too great allurement in her way. Men in the middle classes will see the paper—it is proper, and necessary that they should ; why should they be driven 'to the coffee-house or tavern for it—or have to wait for a weekly abridgment, that it m ty constitute the occupation 6f their Sunday? The artizan is, perhaps, a still more in- 1 veterate politician than his master, for he has not his, master's cares, while he is not unlikely to have more mew and more general intelligence. Why again is he to be, driven to the ale-house, or perhaps " new beer shop," Ow] knowledge and recreation? There are two points of view in which the subject nadir' consideration is to be taken—by the government of the As a mere question of revenue, we think the revenue would be improved by reducing the stamp, from whit it ac tually is, 34 to 14. The demand would, upon a reduction in price of two-pence, immerse the'consumption; and there would be, beyond that, an increased consumption of paper, carrying with it a hearr a :::: ; which latter would, indeed, be left upon the still proportion of papers printed, were the trade thrown open, by the total repeal of the tax. Finally, we see no reason why, with the duty off, penny publications mi g ht not furnish a sketch of the news. The larger papers do not yield the proprietors more than about 2d. when the duty and allowance to the newsmen are taken off. What an astonishing production in such a mu' of matter for so trifling a sum. We trust ministers will re consider this subject altogether, and that nut auperficially. NAVAL L • FALMOUTH, Aran. 25. QUAITZIII TO Six, r.x.—Wind S.W.—Arrived hie Majesty's Pic ket Tynan, Lieut. Dwyer, from Mexico, &e. toiled from Tampico on the 19th February, Vera Crus on the 21st Feb. and the Havannah on the 15th March. She has brought home 350,000 dollars on merchants' account ; 12th April, in lat. 49 6, long. 38 80 spoke the II ism& schooner from Liverpool, for Newfoundland—all well. Geo. D. Vietote Gurrero, the leader and aid of the rebels in Mexico, was tried on the 10th Feb. by a military court-martial at Oajaca, and sentenced to be shot, which was carried into effect on the 14th. Aran. 98.—Wind NN. W.—Arrived the ?rinse* Elisabeth Packet 1 1418. 16thCarthgena, Ec. railed from that land on the 4th March, Jamaica 16•180 March, and Crooked Island on the 22d; Dec. 20, miff he emit std of Cabs spoke the Youghall, hem Belfast, tar lobille ; Dec. 21, saw a wreck on the south side of Castle Inland, which appeared to be a vessel of about 350 tons, totally disniasted—neme and particulars were unknown at Crooked Island. The Elladmth brought, home 70,000 dollars oo merchants' account. Also arrived the Nymph, Long, from sailed the 2nd March for Exeter, the Urania, Tallam, from sailed Bth March, for St. Petenborgh, the Paget, Wing, fb . 7liWyrna ; sailed 22d March, for Liverpool, the Hem, Tainmond, rum Gallipoly ; sailed Bth March, for Liverpool, and his Majesty's ItetSwallow, Lieut. Baldock, from the Leeward Islands; sst Barbadoes March 4, Tortola, 10th, and St. Thomas's 900, with Isiah r April 23, in lat. 46 16, long. 7 30, spoke the seboeser Ids, from Vigeera for London, with loss of bulwark.. Passed the Port, after receiving despatches, the Duke of Kant, Fiett, from London for Valparaiso. • Sailed the Thalia, /hennas& for Yarmouth. The Deers brought by the steamier packet, which arrived here yes terday from Lisbon, was to the effect of there not hallos bees a seek factory answer returned by the Portageese Government to the French Consul, as required within a stipulated period, wbielt bad expired : the consequence of which has been produalm of an seder from the C 0... sal, requesting all French subjects to enthsek wit out debly, on board the French ship* of war then in the Taps. A latt e r received here from Lisbon, states, that the Britain* 120, was daily expected there from the Biediterraman. Yesterday a Court of Directors was held at the East In dia House, when the following Commanders tsok leave of the Court previous to departing for their respective destina tions, tit. Captain John Hillman, Scaleby Castle ; Capt. Patrick Burt,Winchilsea ; .Capt. James tellaway, Bombay: Capt. Henry Harris, Lowther Castle, for China direct; and Capt. George Probyn, for Madras and Bengal. Yesterday morning a proclamation ~issued by order of Government, fixing the rates of freightage to .be charged by Commanders of ships of war on bullion,,jewels, &c. The rates to be charged after the Ist of September DIM are as fellow :—For the freight of Crown treasures, from the port of lading, to any distance not exceeding 600 leagues, id percent. exceeding 600 and not exceeding 2,000 leagues, Id. per cent. exceeding 2,000 leagues id. per cent. For • gold and silver belonging to other parties the freights are to be as follows :—On gold and jewels, from the port of lading, to any distance not exceeding 600 leagues, id. per cent. exceeding 600 and not exceeding 2,000 leagues, lid. p er cent. and exceeding 2,030 leagues, lid. per cent. On silver the freights are fixed thus : —Not exceeding 800 reagitea Id. per cent. exceeding 600 and not exceeding 2,004 leagues, lid. per cent. exceeding 2,000 leagues, 2d. p wr cent. Commanders and masters of ships of war sot to b e put to :any chart charges, and the liability from loss to c ow the amount the ship arrives in port. .od