Star. — London, England, 1821-06-05 00:00:00

1 (Mr. Pearse) were in the habit of vi•iting in eases a gainst themselves. The forgeries committed in England exceeded in number, he believed, those of all other countries. Neither in France nor in Hol land (the latter a country purely commercial), was the crime of forgery punished with death. These two extraordinary circumstances satisfied him that there was something wrong in our present law.— Imprisonment and hard labour would, he thought, be a more effective punishment. He should vote for' the Bill, though he did not approve of the exception by which it was clogged. Mr. HART DAVIS said he should oppose the Bill, unless a distinction were made between Bills of Ex change and Banker's checks. The latter were more easily forged, and he therefore thought that to that offence the capital punishment should still attach. Mr. T. WILSON said, he thought the present was she most unfortunate moment which could be selected for bringing forward the present Bill. The Hon. and Learned Mover had called Bank-notes Government securities, but the same argument would apply to Exchequer Bilk and East India Bonds. Mr. HARBORI) said, the exception was intro duced as a matter of expediency, as there would otherwise be no chance of carrying the Bill. The Hon. Member at some length supported the principle of the Bill by referring to the opinions of the late Sir Samuel Romilly and other advocates for an al teration of the Criminal Laws. Mr. MARTIN (of Galway) spoke in favour of the Bill, on the ground of policy. It had been argued that the forging of wills ought to be excepted from the Act; but it was worthy of remark, that in Ire land the forging a bill was not felony, and this crime was not more frequent in Ireland than in England— (Hear, hear, hear). Swingers were then ordered to withdraw, and the House divided, when there appeared— For the third reading of the Bill - - 117 For the Arroatutv-GuntaAis Amendment - 111 Majority in favour of the Bill - -—6 Sir J. MACKINTOSH then moved some trilling verbal Amendme;:•,s, which were agreed to. Mr. CItIPPS moved an Amendment to except from the benefit of the Bill all persons convicted of forgery upon bankers. Mr. BARING said, it would be much better to re ject the Bill altogether than adopt the Amendment of the Honourable Member. _ . Dr. LUSHINGTON said, it was only lately that a banker of his acquaintance suffered a loss of £lO,OOO r tther than prosecute a forger to capital punish ment. The adoption of the Amendment would ren der bankers as liable to depredation as they were now. After a few words from Mr. MARTIN, the House again divided, when there appeared— For the Amendment - - gainst it - - Majority - . - 102 - -7 When strangers were re-admitted to the Gallery, Mr. Bnouctimst was on his legs. He said he should rejoice if the Bill met with ultimate success, and ex pressed a hope that it would be received in another part of the Legislature with becoming- respect. On the question that this Bill do pass, the Gallery was again cleared for a divisions After a long dis cussion, in the absence of strangers, the House di vided. The numbers were— For passing the Bill Noes - - - 11S 191 It was consequenly lost by a Majority of —6 Mr. CHETWYND rose, on the order for going into a Committee on the Dwelling House Robbery Bill, and having opposed the measure, moved that it be committed this day six months. Mr. COURTENAY supported the Bill. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL objected to it, but did not oppose going into the Committee. The Amendment was then negatived without a di vision, and the House went into a Committee on the Bill. Several verbal Amendments having been agreed to, the House resumed, and the Report was ordered to be received on Wednesday. On the order for going into a Committee on the Navigable Rivers Robbery Bill, a motion was made, that instruction be given to the Committee to extend the provisions of the Bill •to robberies on Canals.— The motion was agreed to. The House then went into a Committee, and after a clause had been annexed to punish robberies on Ca nals, the Report was ordered to be received on Wed nesday next. TER TOILTITIM Sir It. WILSON put a question respecting any orders having been given to suspend the Dutch law and punishment of Torture, on the Island of Demerara? Mr. GOUL BD N said, he would answer the Hon. Membar's isesdoa to-morrow. inicluxatnes. • Mr. HUME rose on the Order of the Day for receiving the Report of Ways and ML.,n3 and objected to bringing up the said Report, on account of the lateness of the hour. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER consented to postpone the consideration of the Report. The Irish Coroners' Bill, with the consent of Mr. Mazza(' Was postponed for six months. The other Orders were disposed of, and the House adjourned at One o'clock. IMPROVEMENT OF PRISON DISCIPIANIL—SatUrday, the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Improve ment of Prison Discipline, and the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders, took place at the Freemasons' Ta vern ; the Duke of GLOUCESTER in the Chair. The Secretary read the Report cf the Committee, which stated, that there had teen great improvement in prison discipline during the last year, and alluded to the very beneficial effects that resulted from the in fliction of hard labour upon old and determined offenders. The Report dwelt strongly upon the good effects of religious instruction to prisoners, and re lated many instances where, from the moment this had commenced in prison, the number of criminals had considerably decreased ; and there was scarcely an instance o f the recommitment of persons in these prisons who had been once discharged. The Report spoke in the warmest terms of the exertions of the Ladies' Committee, and of the beneficial results of their labours, and presented a flattering account of the - happy consequences which had accrued from the Plan which the Committee had adopted of procuring an asylum for juvenile offende:s, who, after being punished for their crimes, were turned loose upon society, without friends, and without any resource but a return to tteir criminal pursuits. The Meeting was then addressed by Lord CALTUORNI, Lord Joins RUSSELL, Sir J. MACICINTOSII, Mr. BENNETT, the French Nliai-ter, and other persons of distinetion.- , The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the Illustrious Chairman. HIS LATE MAJESTY GEORGE 111. COMMEMORATIOV op THE BIRTH-DAY OF Yesterday, a Grand Festival was held at Free masons' Hall, in honour of his late 'Majesty King Gicatoz the THIRD, whose Birth-day it was deter mined to commemorate. At a quarter past seven o'clock his Royal Highness the Duke of YORK, who officiated as Chairman, entered the room, accompanied by a number of per sonages of distinguished rank, among whom-were-- The Duke of Montrose, Marquis. of Camden, Marquis colf l Lothian, Earl of Westmoreland. Earl of. Hanowby, Furl Blesinton, Earl Bathurst, Count Munster, Lord Erskine, Lord Pomfret, Lord Sakoun, Lord Ilowden, Lord Rivers, Lord Melville, Lord Torrington, Mr. Justice Dallas, Mr. Justice Park, Mr. Justice Burroughs, Sir John Silvester, Sir John- Doyle, Sir J. C. Ilippisley, Admirals Cockburn, Saumares i and several other distinguished Naval characters. Several 'Mili tary Gentlemen were also present, who appeared in full uniform. The principal Gallen f, at an early hour, was filled with Ladies of rank. At the upper end of the Hall, behind the chair of the President, a superb Equestrian Painting, by Da vis, of his late MAJESTY, was exhibited. His MA JESTY was represented Is taking off his hat, as acknowledging a salute, apparently at a review. In the centre of the room a select party of vocalists were stationed, who at intervals aided the harmony, and contributed largely to the entertainment of the day. A military band, as is usual on such days, at- tended ; playing, on. the entrance of the Duke of YORK, the beautiful music of the Ovation in Curio lama ; and, at intervals, performing a variety of martial and convivial airs. At half-past seven o'clock, the company, nearly 400 in _number, sat down to a sumptuous dinner, which consisted of every delicacy of the season, served up in abundance, together with a variety of wines of the finest flavour. After dinner, " Non nobis Demine," was sang by Messrs. Bellamy, Pyne Broadhurst, Leete, Goulden, Terrail,. Watson, and Master L:inghurst. Sir George Smart directed the musical department, and Mr. Ilawes acted as Deputy.— There were also 'seven young Gentlemen from the Choir at St. Paul's and the Chapel Royal, hi one of the galleries. Shortly after the Rovaz, CHAIRMAN gave the first toast, which was preceded by sound of trumpet— " Tug lima." This was drank . seith three times three, and shouts of applause. " God save the Jrufg," was .then sung amidst the acclamations of the whole assembly. The spat toast was—" AU the Royal Family." To this succeeded—" The Navy and Army of the United Kingdom." This last toast having been drank with three times three, and with great applause— Sir JAMES SAUMAREZ, in the name of the' Navy, begged to return thank , : -for the honour which the Service to which he belonged had just received, in conjunction with the Army. He could not deny himself the pleasure, on the present occasion, of ex pressing the high satisfaction he felt at the• manner in which the two services had been united—convinced as he was, that the triumphs which both had ob tained in every part of the world, resulted from the union and concord which subsisted between them, whenever their combined efforts were demanded in the cause of their country. " Risk kitannia " was then sung. 0 The memory Of our late deputed Sovereign, King George the Third," was drank in solemn silence. I An Anthem from HANDEL, " His body . is buried in peace," was then sung in a most impressive style, the whole of the company standing. Mr. CONWAY (late of Covent-Garden Theatre) then recited, with appropriate energy, the following Ad dress in honour of his late Majesty," written for the occasion by the Rev. GEORGE CROLY : The tears were filial tears, that England gave Her proud, sad tribute, to her Monarch's grave.—. Still on the hallow'd spot was fiz'd her eye • With grief, the' soften'd, yet too deep to :lie ; And now she bids her Empire's mightiest come, To rear th' eternal Trophy o'er bis tomb! Ye, on whose brows the fates of kingdoms Ile, There read the lesson of true Sovereignty ! But, if upon your splendid struggle brood Um heavy thought of Man's ingratitude, Here turn your gaze—behold what feelings cling Around the sainted memory of a King; What noble natures in his homage vie, Look—and anticipate Posterity ! War was upon the World ! the dying roar Of Empires peard around our mountain shore. Then to his GoD, and to Ms People, true, Her ancient Kum the sword of England drew ; The strong, reluctant sword, that never dyed Its edge ' but in the blood of Homicide. And, at his call, where matchless minds upraised— Beacons ! that thru' the night of nations blaz'd! Spirit of Nelson ! tho' the voice of Fame Swells since thy day with many a warrior name; 'rho' One like thee, still heads the Immortal Band, First of the first, the Nelson of the Land! Yet all thy triumph on our vision rolls, Thy name is graven upon our swords, our souls. Hero of England! to whose hope was given The only boon the Hero asks of Haavatt; In valour's prime, in glory's cause to die— 'Twas thine to burst from Earth in Victory! Yet there were those,—tho' in no fight they fell, Whom England's heart of heart remembers well. Statesmen ! front mankind's cause untimely torn; O'er whose cold gravis ev'n Rivalry can mourn, With generous wonder, human sorrow wrung, Can praise the might, the magic of the tongue, The stainless hand, the zeal—a living flame, — And love to give the fulness of their fame ! But stronger than the sword, the tongue, the Crown, 'Tis Heart—that draws the conquering blessing down. Earth saw her kingdoms given to blade and brand, But round one throne the Virtues took their stand, Their proud, last refuge, ere they soar'd to Heaven; If, in that day, our wanderings were forgiven; If, in the hour that whined Europe's faehe, On England's crest unsought-for glory came, Great Kum ! 'twas thine; thy prayer our sword and shield, Our more than victory by flood and field; All thine, that in thy honour'd grave are low—. Thrones were intaSertal, Sill by such as thou! And in that storm, when Earth was waste and wild,• Peace on our shores In summer-busty smiled; Here, hi the guardian splendours of the Throne, Glow'd the rich pencil, sprang to life the stoat ; Here, like the contest for young Athens' love, Vakitues proud enabled), with the olive strove ; Bet,Erst in mental, as in martial toil, We claisn'd them both the natives of the soil And blessing still Loon the &vowed land, Still waves her sceptre in a Baunswrees hand; Son, worthy of thy Sire ! beneath thy sway Ont'cloads shall brighten into perfect day: Armand lthy throne the laureU'd Arts shall spring, And Earth veinier in Englawre patriot Kuss, The recitation of the Poem called forth repeated' bunts of applause. A very powerful effect was pro duced by the lines--1- " Earth saw her kingdoms given to blade and brand, " Eat round one throne the Virtues took theirstand!" These, with the six following lines ; seemed to touch the chord to which every heart responded with the warmest emotion. The Earl of Btainteems rose to. propose a 'toast; which, be said, be was convinced there was no perms . in that room, or in the empire, who did not feel deeply interested in: he meant the health of their il lustrious President—(Load applause).—He (the Earl of-Blesinton) came forward on the present occasion, as appearing at the head of the list of Stewards, and at the head of the Acting Committee, who first, under the sanction of their Royal Chairman, brought this measure before the Public-(Apppauie).-.-When he looked around, and saw the illustrious persons Who had on that day honoured the Meeting with their presence, he was sure the Acting Committee would stand acquitted of any charge of not having done their duty ; and that it would appear manifest to every one, they had made the present proceeding worthy of its object, and commemorated in a be coming manner the memory of George the Third (Cheers).—He must, however, take leave to observe. that the first object of the was, for reasons then not necessary to explain, abandoned—he meant the proposing of a subscription to carry into execu tion the plan of a Monument to his late Majesty.— What they had in view was not the offspring of a moment. For a period of twelve months the Com mittee had laboured at this object, and acted on no other feeling than a sense of honest public regard towards the fulfilment of a public intention—(Hear). —The plan which they fixed upon, and which was that of Mr. Wyatt, was not chosen in preference to others, but because it was the only one of the kind offered to public notice. He (Lord Blqinton) had fersonally undergone great labour, in the exertion of the humble talents which he possessed, to bring the matter thus forward. But he bowed to the sug gestion of their Illustrious Chairman, who thought it proper to withdraw the intended toast of 4 , Success to the Subscription for the Triumphal Monument to the Memory of George the Third"—(Hear, hear) —lest one word should be raised in that illustrious assembly against the project offered to the Public. This design was, indeed, opposed by some Noblemen and others, under the impression that it would be improper to convert the funds intended for such a purpose to the benefit of one particular Artist ; but that, when the adequate resources were subscribed, the execution of the plan should be open to compe tition. There was nothing fairer than this in a gene ral point of view, and had it been stated twelve months ago, he could have offered no objection to it. —But as the affair stood at present, one particular design had been offered, approved of, and adopted ; and he could not feel himself justified in bestowing upon another person the benefit of the original idea, and depriving the real Author of the copyright of his performance--(Hear, hear)—under the notion that somebody coming after him could do better. He, however, felt obliged, as he was convinced they all did, to the kindness and condescension of his Royal Highness, notwithstanding certain reasons which in fluenced his Royal Highness to wish the Meeting postponed to the 25th, in which case the Meeting must either not have taken place at all, or, if it did, it could not have happened under the fortuitous cir cumstance of being held on the birth-day of his late Majesty— ( Applause).—He concluded by proposing ' the health of their Illustrious Chairman-- "The Duke of York," which was drank with three time three, and great applause.—Tune, the Duke of York's March— Glee, "How merrily re Nee that soldiers be." The Duke of Yoak. shortly returned thanks. His Royal Highness expressed his grateful sense of the honour done him in having been appointed to pre side on an occasion like the present—one that brought the most solemn and glorious events to recollection which the history of this country had ever known— ( Loud applause).—The solemnity of the occasion, he was proud to observe, was appreciated as it should be, by the numerous and highly respectable com pany who had on that evening met to celebrate the birth of his late Majesty--(Cheers).—There were circumstances connected with such a day which his feelings took too close an interest in for any language adequately to describe—(Hear, hear)—nor was it ne cessary for him to attempt to do so, when he observed a similar feeling pervading the whole of that assem bly which he had the honour to address. The me mory of their late Sovereign, his revered•father, was as deeply seated in their hearts as the actions and events of his long and auspicious reign were in scribed in the annals of their country—(Applause) and he trusted that the same sentiment of loyalty which had led to the triumphs of the late reign, and testified itself on so many occasions towards his family, would always distinguish Englishmen, (Loud cheers). —The Royal Chairman concluded by proposing, as the next toast, " The British Constitu tion and sat down amid loud acclamations. This toast was drank with three times three, and rapturous applaese.—Song, "Scots was ha'. we Wallace bled," by hir.BIOAD SWUM, with great spirit and effect. The next toast given was— " The Law and Judges of the land." The Lord Chief Justice DALLAS, in the name of the Judges, returned thanks for the honour they had received. He declined trenching on the hilarity of the Meeting by any lengthened address, and contented himself with the expression of his sincere gratitude. Glee, " When order in this land began. " The Agriculture Manufactures, and Commerce of the United Kingdons," with three times three. The following occasional Song was then sung by Mr. BALLAIST. We understand it is from the pen of a very promising young lady, only 14 years of age, the daughter of Mr. WYATT Let the harp • of Britannia the patriot's song Breathe high in the praise of our late belov'd Km; 'Tis the name that all Englishmen love to prolong, 'Tis the name that our Bards, when inspir'd will sing. And when centuries glide, 'Twill be the heart's pride • Of Britons to tell to the universe wide; And still name him their boast and their pride, And pray that a BZUNSWICZ may ever preside May the page of our history that bears his 10,1 name, Be a source of nuking to each loyal breast; It will be a bright beacon, a land-mark of fame, Still uninjuid by time, when this age is at rest. Then Englishmen sing, The name of their King ; His praises on earth let the patriot ring; Theo' each nation still name him, their boast and their pride, And pray that a liaysswiew may ever preside ! How numerous the asylums fortn'd in his reign, To shelter the hapless from poverty's storm, — To cheer tic' alfficted,--alleviate pain, And hopc—expiring—in the bosom to warm ! Tice friend of thepoor,— Tbe gveriliart of onshore ; May blessings the best on a Bzueswica still pour ! Let the yoke of the nation IR {nifty rise ! ells the sons of the Bard, the theme of the wise When War sounded the trumpet, how trembled the male 1 How mighty the vict'ries that mark'd his just sway ! Till Peace in her sunshine appear'd on the plain Beaming the fair dawn of our present brightly. Then united we'll sing The worth of our Knit,: Their harps to ha fame let the minstrels string& • And Britons still name him their boast and their pride. And pray that a BaunswicE may ever preside! The nest toast was. " The Naval and Military Glades of the late Reign," three times three. Sir ions/ Dolma, in rising to return thanks, said, that he should not have ventured to offer himself on this occasion, • had he not been called upon by the gracious condescension of the Royal Duke now re siding in the Chair--(Apyarause).—The suddenness of the occasion, however, had disabled him from ac quitting himself as he should like. He was unwilling to come forward now, not because he had not been an humble sharer in those rewards which distill piished all the military exertions in the late reign. but because he saw so many others present who, by superior rank and superior talents, would have done more justice to the cause than it was in his power to render—(llear, hear).—He would not dare to say a word in behalf of the services of the Army and Navy during the late reign, for it was out of his power to do justice to the sacrifices which they had made.— Both were prodigal of their blood its the cause of their King and Country—(Loud applause)—but they . were imply repaid by the sweetest of all rewards— the approbation of our late revered Sovereign, and the gratitude of a great and free People—(Applause). And, seeing such a Meeting assembled here on this occasion, he could not sit down without making some reference to it. He would say, then, that it was grateful to his heart, as it was praiseworthy in them, that so large a share of the talent, the wealth, and the character of this country, should have met toge ther this day. in order to commemorate the virtues, and pay their tribute of respectful gratitude to the memory of their deceased and lamented Sovereign, George the Third--(Applause).—lt was true, that the presence of the Illustrious Duke in the Chair was always sure to collect a large assembly of Gentlemen ; but it was gratifying, that the present company came together uninfluenced by party feelings. He had the misfortune, during the late reign, to differ, in some respects, as a public man, from those who adminis tered the Government ; but his dissent from the mea sures of those men had never lessened his respect for the memory of his revered Sovereign, or his feelings and tegard or respect for those Gentlemen-individually hear).—lt was said that there might be too much of a good thing ; and, lest there should be too much of a bad one, he should continue to occupy their attention no longer—(Laughter, and cheers). — The gallant Officer concluded by returning thanks for the attention he had received, and sat down amidst considerable applause. Song by Mr. 1 3 1'.F, " Come Y . you dart," With chorus. Prosperity to the Royal Academy and the other Institu tion. founded by his late Majesty," was next drank, with great applause.—Song, " Health et the Sovereign." The next toast was, " The 'City of London." It was drank with three times three—followed by the very pleasant Glee, " A gesinnisfriendship no cold medium knouts !" The following toasts were—" The Arts, Sciences, and Litera ture, of Great Britain ;" Prosperity to the Schools for edu cating the Children of the Poor;" " The Ladies," followed by the glee of, " The 317,ghty Conqueror of Hearts!" and " The Stewards." The Royal CHAIRMAN shortly after this retired from his post, followed by the &eater part of the il lustrious guests who surrounded him. The Earl of BLRSINTON was then prevailed upon to take the Chair ; and the remaining company hav ing rallied under his Lordship's banner, returned to the convivial charge. The Noble CHAIRMAN proposed " The health of Mr. Croly and Mr. Wyatt," to whom, he observed, they were indebted, on the one hand, for a most ap propriate Address, which they had heard recited by Mr. Conway, and on the other, for the first idea of a Monument to his Majesty, in which had originated that Meeting. Mr. CROLY returned thanks. He commenced by observing, that he was not at all prepared for the ho nour which had been conferred upon him. It was gratifying to him, under any circumstances, to re ceive from such an Assembly a tribute of their ap probation. But, if any circumstances could increase his gratification, it was that his name should have been mentioned when they were assembled to com memorate the memory of a KING, who, while living, was almost the idol of his People, and who now slept serenely in the silence of the grave—(Load applause). Mr. WYATT and Mr. CONWAY also shortly re turned thanks. The Earl of BLEstwrox said, that he could not al low the company to depart without proposing to them the health of a Gentleman highly and justly dis tinguished in the literary world, to . whom that Meet ing, and himself in particular, were especially be.. hoven, in having received the first idea of the object which had led them there that evening. He begged to propose— .. The health of Mr. Jerdan, the able conductor of the Lite rary Gazette." This toast having been drank with much applause, Mr. JERDAN said, he felt much gratification in finding his Journal connected with the Monument intended to be raised to the memory of his late re vered Majesty. He took no credit to himself for having first called the attention of the world to this subject. If the design was worthy of public support, it would receive it; if not, it would be disregarded, according to its merits—(Applause). Towards the conclusion of the Festival, a List of Subscribers to the Monument about to be erected in honour of Gronce 111. was read, which amounted to upwards of Two Thousand Pounds. The Monument is to consist of a Statue of his late MAJESTY, in a car, drawn by four horses, accompanied by figures of Fame and Victory; the whole to. be executed in bronze, and raised on a massive pedestal of granite, containing on the four sides bas-reliefs, representing his late MAJESTY encouraging the Fine Arts in one; in . another Agriculture, in a third Religion, in a fourth Commerce. It is to be erected in a conspicu ous part of the Metropolis, and to be considerably larger than life. It cannot he doubted that the ge... nius of Mr. M. WYATT is fully adequate to this splendid subject ; and perhaps there is no living artist who could execute it with equal propriety of taste, and with so much true classic beauty and design. The company continued to enjoy themselves in the festivities of the board till after midnight. - - 109