The National Register. — London, England, 1816-06-03 00:00:00

---W JUNE 3. POLI T/CAL D/SQULSIT/ON. CONSIDERATIONS ON TIIE ALIEN BILL THE Alien is now removed to the Upper Iluuse. Notwithstanding repeated efforts to soften its provisions, it has passed through the Commons as it came from the hands of Ministers, in umnitige.tod severity. If mnjori tier were always the test of excellence and of popularity, this measure ought to be considered both faultless and generally approved ; fer it was ihreed through all oppn_ sition by a superiority of numbere, which has not been so constantly displayed on any other question. Much may certainly be attributed to the late period nf the session when it was proposed, and when a full attendance of members is with difficulty procured, even on questions entirely British; but more, perhaps, to that indifference to the private interests of foreigners, with which it is customary to charge Engliehmen abroad. From what ever cause, however, the Bill is proceeding trimnphantly; and although it may be delayed in its completion by the activity of the Opposition in the Upper House, there is no prospect of its experiencing the slightest alteration kfore it is stamped into a law by the Royal Assent. We have already stated the arguments used by the antagenists and the defenders of this measure. The former oppose it, not only On the grounds of common juse tice and common right, but on principles of national honour, and cosmopolitan generosity. Necessity is the principal weapon of the latter : because the bill was , once found necessary, and was introduced on that ground by men who - admitted that it could be justified on no other, as contrary to ancient British practice and policy, they consider that the same plea will serve fie. its revival. Let us then eeamine whether it be now equally well founded. Under what circumstances was the measure enacted ? When Europe was in a state of convulsion; and when our shores, though unpolluted by the feet cf revolutionary hosts, had not as successfully repelled the invasion of revoluti,onary doctrines—when a fire was burning silently within our own island, which only wanted the stirring of a few hands to blaze on high, and answer the beacons of devastation that glared through every continental state,—the sacred right of self-pro. servation, no less inherent in nations than in individuals, then demanded the suspension of all firreign rights, and the exclusion of the agents of ruin. When the scene was changed, and the continent, wedded to the fortunes of its conqueror, presented a firm, united, and awful mass of hostility against us—when the powers of the Atlantic joined their menace to the storm, and the East shook in its fidelity—when, looking over the broad extent of the universe, we saw bus ourselves against an 01)h:oiled world—when every duty was defence, and every post a post of trust, we well might guard against the admission of foreign betrayers. One treacherous hand might have defeated the noblest efforts of the country, and by their triumph over us nations would have sealed their ever luting servitude. But now do such dangers exist? Is not our only dreaded enemy a captive in our power? Is not France our friend ? or, supposing that she cast off the Bourbon yoke imposed upon ler, is she able to effect any thing by her hostility against us ? Exhausted, both by her conquest and her defeats, chained to the ground by the residence of foreign armies in her for tresses and her riernest provinces, surrounded by states restored to the plenitude of their strength, and keeping the scale of Europe in a just equipoise, she is as impo tent in arms as in intrigue. What other nation do we dread ? They are all our allies in council and in action. Our gold, our talents, and our blood have fought their patties, broken their fetters, redeemed their independence, and re-edified their power. A stronger tie than gratitude —interest—binds them to our cause. Do we fear any peril at home ? Arc corresponding societies revived ? Are revolutionary doctrines so much in fashion, that a spark will set the train on fire, and destroy our constitution and our peaces—No; a revolution, still snore complete than that which has liberated the continent, has united MI political sects of Great Britain in a deep and firm sentiment of loyalty and satisfaction. All noW feel the re mits of those measures which they saw adopted with stredety and &sees, and long followed without hope. 'flee find that they have conducted the country ti un boanded success, and to an unprecedented height of power and of glory ; and, exulting in the greatness of their native land, they sanction with their gratitude and their admiration the system front which flume measures have emanated. At home and abroad we have there fore no cause of fear. How then are we called upon to exert the right of self-preservation, that right which :done can justify the suspension of other rights, and a departure Erten .established principles of justice and po licy Without an ellen. bill, we arc told, the country THE NATIO'SAt REGI6TI:II. would be deluged with daugerous characters. Dange rous to whom ? Not to us, for amongst us they would no longer find a single hand to clasp in friendship, a single sentiment to share in unison, and they are not backed by any earthly power to support and give effect to any possible machination on their part.—" But to admit them," it is urged, " would be to display a total insensibi lity to the real state of Europe." Why, then, do Austria, Russia, and Prussia, not only admit, but invite them? Do not those nations firm the greatest part of Europe, and must we be more careful of their interests than they are themselves? We close our gates to men of doubtful opinions, lest they should endanger the peace of Europe; and the three great European Powers etkr a shelter within their dominions, not to men of this description alone, but to the most notorious characters of the Revo lution ! What contradiction is this ? And why should we volunteer, to the infringement of ancient customs and of national credit, to remove imaginary perils from those who most assiduously court them ? On no consideration of English or European interests can, therefore, the plea of necessity be justified. it may be agreeable to the Go vernment of France that we should adopt the measure ; but we rather suspect that it is below the dignity of the British nation to legislate for such a purpose, and to de part from the policy, the wisdom, and the hospitality of its ancestors, to become, as it was truly expressed in the House of Commons, " assistant police-officers to the House of Bourbon." COTTAGE FARMER& A bold peasantry, their country's pride, When once destroy eJ, esti iie%et The recent plan of parcelling estates into large farms has nearly engulphed this valuable race. There is now scarcely any medium between the large farmer and the poor lubourer. The cottage farmer, who formerly sup ported, in the comfort of moderate independence, a large and healthy progeny, now exists but in very few in stances. " time there we', ere 1 7 .ne1/it'd's griefs berate, When every rood of eround maintained itA man " Happy would it be for the country if this state of things could be returned to. One hundred years ago the country was spotted with cottages, each boasting its own little plantation and cheerful garden. These monu ments of better times are now but scantily bestrewed. It has been said, that the extended manufactures of the country have given employment, and almost wealth, to the poor ; but might it not be replied, that their extent has also given an almost fatal stab to the morals of the country ? Look to the districts formerly agricultural, now the scat of manufactures. The village churches within those districts were wont to be well attended; the father, the mother, and their smiling children, thought it an almost deadly sin to omit divine service ; the sabbath evenings were spent in domestic innocency. Alas ! what is the fact now? In many instances, what the village church then had, the village ale-house has now ; and, though the pecuniary means be increased, the wife is no longer happy—the children, ragged, and dirty, and starving! Again, look at the districts now agricultural ; examine the classes of persons by whom they are inhabited; and few will be found, excepting the large farmer and poor labourer—the latter in part sub sisting either upon the elemosynary bounty of the for mer, or upon the pool s sate. How small the number of those who, possessing " neither poverty nor riches," remind us of the country's best estate; and who should be considered as the remains of a class from which that country once derived its glory ; and as the patterns of a class, without the renewal of which that glory can never be completely restored. it was lately stated in one of the Paris Papers, that her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales had been at Tunis, from which she was preparing to sail for Con stantinople. This account, although doubted by some of our cotemporaries, is.perfectly correct. When the Sparrewhawl., recently from the Mediterranean, sailed from Tullis, her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales was living there, in the Palace, he having given it up to her, whilst for her accommodation he had gone to reside in the country. Her Royal Highness arrived there in a felucca, which she had hired in Sicily, fur six months, it being her intention to proceed from Tunis to Constantinople and the Atom. The following is a correct list of ships which have sailed on the Peaoe Establishment for three years, fur the Mediterranean, East Indies. China, and St. Helena : MEDITEURAISEAS—EIIfiI!TACS, 38, ('apt. Preston; TaatiF., 36, Capt. numbs Inter, 36. Capt. Forest; Erre, 20, Capt. R. Spencer; Myrmidon, 20, Capt. Gambier; Wasp, la, Capt. Worlege; Satellite, :8, Capt. J. Murray. EAST INOICS—MigifiCIIIIC, 30, Rear Admiral King, Capt: Purvis ; Orlando, 36, ('apt. Clay ton ; Iphigcnia, 30, Capt. A. King; Towey, 20, Capt. H• Stewart; Conway, 20, Capt. Taneock ; Challenger, IS, Capt. Forbes; Bacchus, IS, Capt. Hill. C inx—Aleeste, 38, Capt. Maxwell ; Lyra, 10, Capt. Hall. ST. HELENA—Newcastle, 50, Rear Admiral Malcolm, Capt. Meynell ; Phaeton, A. Capt. Stanfill ; °tante., 36, Capt. D. N. Cochrane ; Spry, 20, Capt. Lake ; Vilmuuth, 20, ('apt. Festing ; Racoon, In, Capt. Carpenter; Patlarzir4„ It. Caut. J. Wallis: Julia, 14, Cant. \; :Rhine: (:l ion, ('apt. J. A. Murray; Leveret, 10 1 Copt. need; Muskito, 18, Capt. Brig. . DRAMATIC REGISTER. DRURY LANE. 1.:.; Mrs. DAvisow, who is deservedly a public favourite, had a very full attendance of her friends at her benefit on Tuesday night. She appeared as Macheath in the Beg gar's Opera ; a character about the propriety of berassump- Lion of which there may be some difference of opinion. She played the part, however, with considerable success, infusing into it much moreof that feeling, with which an audience can sympathise, than is usually found in the re presentations of some, who seem to consider Macheath as a case-hardened villain, with not a single spark of humanity belonging to him. Mrs. DAvisos's Nell, and DowTos's Jobs" in the Farce of The Dail to Pas, which followed, were highly diverting. COVENT-GARDEN. On Friday night Mrs. SIDDONS performed Queea Katharine, in the Play of King Ileury the Eighth, for the benefit of Mr. and Mrs. C. Kemble. Her reception was worthy of her distinguished talents. The, I louse was crowded to excess, at an early hour, and peals of applause front every part of it saluted her on her entree. NEW ENGLISH OPERA HOUSE. The Lord Chambetioin has at length granted a re stricted licence to the proprietwt of this national un dertaking ; and the Theatre is now in so forward a state that a few days only are requisite to fit it for the recep tion of the Public. The general style of its decorations is rich, light, and elegant ; the proscenium is beautiful in the extreme. The roof is supported by arches, which close upon the slips, and thus gives an air of Cmishing and compactness to the whole, which is the perfection of architecture. A faint rose-colour is the prevailing com plexion of the boxes, which in the front are ornamented with gold wreaths, that encircle figures on a ground of white. In addition to the performers selected from tite London Theatres,Mr. Arnold is about to bring forward the most popular actors from Bath, Dublin, York, and Edinburgh. The principal female singer is a Miss Merry, a pupil of Mr. Walsh, who is said to be a young lady of talents and education. Report says, the com pany altogether is more numerous than the regular business of the stage would require,; thus affording an am p:e specimen of the musical talents to be found in the theatrical circle. Mr. Bartley, of Drury-lane Theatre, is to be the Stage Manager ; Mr. T. Welch, Director of the Musical Department ; and Mr. W. Penson, Leader of the Band. Among the performers of provincial ce lebrity are, Mr. Wrench, late, of Drury-lane ; the Messrs. Short from Dublin ; Mr. Broadhurst, late of Covent- Garden; Mr. and Mrs. Chatterley, and Mr. Gomery, from Bath ; Mr. Russell, from Edinburgh: Mr. Wilkinson, front Norwich, Mr. Lancaster,from Swansea; Mr. Barnett, front Portsmouth; Mr. and Mrs. Grove, late of the I laymarket Theatre; Master Barnet; Messrs.Wheatley Nichols, Her ring, Isaacs, &c—The other Ladies are, Miss Kelly and Miss L.Kelly, Mrs. Penson (from Edinburgh), Mrs. Leo nard, Mrs. Pincott, &c. &e. Miss O'Neill has refined 2000 guineas, offeredly Mr. Ellittera, for an engagement for three weeks, at the Bir naingham Theatre. The Surry Theatre has fallen into the possession of Mr. T. West, the ground-landlord, who has let it on leatte to Mr. T. llibdin : and it is now undergoing a com plete and thorough repair. OZERON'A OATH.—Poor Thompson, the author of this piece. fell ou Sunday last a prey tti acute feelings. 'the tingenerons, and, we may add minim 'fed attack, n hick was made on Mc ron on the first night, affected him very much; fur he had been led, by favourable tit fasts of the polio inert, to expect it would lie crowned with the most brilliant success, and had calculated on producing ri piece annually, which would have been a little annuity to him. The excess of hi. disappointment could only be equalled by his tran , ;wnts of joy, when, on the secoud representation, his production was honoured with uni versal sovietise. Thus plunged from one extreme to the other, he was taken alarmingly ill on Saturday, and ailed the next day. He w:ts at Drury-lane on Friday night, and said to Mr. Parry, that niueli was he pleased with the music '. hien he had adapted to his ei urds, that he would ice y shortly wait on him with another play—but illas! he is gone •4 To anatiber and a better world."• IVe hear, that the Aiiimtgers of Driir-lane intend to aprr and compres! , Oberon's U.lth it,l* oi:e act, and to reit:am it for the beoetit of the author's unhappy wile and three children, who are left totally unpruvidcd tor. • Vide the Play of the Stranger. adorted for the stage by Mt. Thoirron.—.lo l m Painter exi irrtl on the stage at Liverpot.jtut M. he haul utterod the above entetter. We unilerstaml, that the arrangements fir the mar riage of the Princes! Mary and the Duke of Gloucester hare been finally determined upon. The marriage of. the Duke end Duchesa tie Berry is. it is said, to tae place on the 17th of twat mouth, at Not a Dame.. _ _ _ Letter, from Madrid of the 1 etla inst. mentions that the intended marriages arc for the present suspended, and the ostensible reason given is, that the illness of the t'ria ecss C.trotta has prevented the sailing of her daughter from the Brazils. _ _ _ Prince Blucher is at the waters of Carlsbadt on account. of his health, which is nA vet re-establish d. Lord Binning has accepted the office of one of the Com. - inissioners for the Affairs of India. %Vex-hear that Lieut. Gen. the Earl of Dalhousie is appointed Governor of Nova Scotia, and Coltman kr 4, the forces iu that province.—Ediu;,:tfeh ('cdraill,