The National Register. — London, England, 1816-05-26 00:00:00

Dr 0 No. 437.—V0i.. IX. •I'OLIT7C.IL DISQUISITION. •COMMOTIONS IN FRANCE. more imrortant considerations than the Alien Pill, tie progress of which has been further delayed, have arisen to attract our attention, and alarm our fears. The security of the European edifice is once more shaken: neither aee the shocks slight•and transient ; but threaten ing in their violence, and prolonged in their dorutiou. Whilst earthquakes, in almost every land, giw awful warningt to mankind, the revolutionary volcano heaves again, and menaces the poliskal world with fresh eon ettlsions. 'France is at wartwith herself; or, to speak tinge - trtiy, with her Gowemment. Whatever be the cause of this eontest,—whether the measures of the one have been fiend offensive, or the hostility of the other irreconcilable, ;it is not our present purpose to inquire. Much might, anti will be said upon that branch of the subject, when it comes again under our view. Our task is now only to look for filets, and to explain them:: to examine their nature; and to calculate their probable amsequences. How great must bernse surprise of those, who, over looking the annihilaiden 'of the liberty of the pants in ranee, believe the assurances of peace and popular sa tisfaction with which *a Parisian Journals abounded ! Every assertion to the contrary was regarded its the work of faction. The Vrentlit 'were contented ; the Govern ment beloved ; and all nonce was the seat of dm most inviting tranquility. What dispelled this credulity ? Not the vague reports of travellers, or the exaggerated statements of private letters. The French papers them *lves were forced to break their cautious silence, and suddenly to announce, that, instead of contentment and epeacts,lthe 'gag and the South were in open rebellion. 'The assembling of an armr of insurgents, the attack of, we believe, the only fortress' n the hands of the French Government ; and the battlefought under its walls, came at once, without any preporetion, upon the public mind. It was true, that ,fur want of cannon, the first effort of -the insurgents was defeated, but they retired in 'good order to the mountains. In vain did the Parisian journals, os though repenting to have said so much, teem shortly after with accounts of the total dispersion of the rebels. In vain were some suppressed, that dared to mention the disturbances and risings that had taken 16(2 in other towns and departments. The measures of alerm, ofsle fence, and of punishment, adopted and announced sAlici slly, revealed, rotti•continne to display, the extent an va riety of enterprise planned, and in some parts attempted with a degree df eagerness which defeated their success. The arrest of thousands of persons who are not brought 'before the tribunals, but are either confined or secretly executed on suspicion ; the rpration of the national guards, and the march of the epurated divisions to certain points; the trecautions adopted, even in the metropolis ; where, besides two parks of artillery of 25 pieces of cannon each, cannons are planted in various farts, in order to overawe the disaffected : the trebling of the guards round the Royal Palaces ; all these are symptoms of peril eminent and extensive. For the me. ment it may, and we believe will he, repressed. The con spirators, if that name can be given to a large portion of the people, feel thnt they hare acted with too great precipitation. They will therefore shrink back fiom action, till their plans are better matured their numbers better organised, and their means augmented. This disposition on their part, joined with the exertions of the government may produce a general, but, we tear, a de ceitful appearance of tranquillity. The very severities exercised against the guilty, will exasperate their friends, and foster a spirit of revenge, which the execution of convicted or suspeeted rebels will not damp ; for the number ofthelisaffected appears too'great to allow their strength to be materially impaired by the less of a few. A fitture sod not very distant explosion seem therefore preparing, the oileet which may b.: felt throughout Europe. It may alio nal( I,k tt' itiitr+ Our Zxiitg, eaninituttan anti 3Labnc. SUNDAY, MAY 26, 1816. shiver to pieces, or establish fin' ever, the throne of the Bourbon. They are warned of their danger; let them nut slumber in fancied security. But, above all, let them seek fin. support in the aKctions of the people; let them Ucep the solemn promises by which they regained the crown ; let them no longer evade their fulfilment ; let them not withhold from the nation her most sacred ri;lits,-.—those which even an usurper had left her. they stand in a situation of deep responsibility to Europe. Their restoration has been assisted, and effected, because it was expected they would render France a peaceful and friendly member of the great finni:y of States. But if their measures be such as to impel the people to rebellion and to war, let them pause, and consider on whom it is ikely the crime would first be visited. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. Horst: or LORIP4, MMAIAY, MAY 'lO. The Rank Restriction Bill was read a third time and passed. Earl STANHOPE •aid, he hail 61 petition to present from cer tain farmers and others in Essex, plaining of various op pressions in the colicetiou of Tythes. --One of the subjects plaiticil of in thi petition wax a %cry serious grievance; for it stared that the lessees of Tythes would not collect the tenths of corn, hay, nr straw, unless the produce of each field were colleet , .il in traps. This was en object that deserved the attention of Parliament—Ordered to lie on the table. Oti the Motion iit the Marquis of Lansdowne,•tlie Bill for the better securing the liberty of the subjcet was read a second time. and ordered to be commitied on Wednesday. The Maripiis'of NSDOVI I' said, that a Noble Friend of his (Earl Gros% %moil had given notice of a motion for Thursday next, to do away all useless pensions and places; but, as the House was not in the habit of sitting on holy Thursday, he was authorised to postpone his Noble Friend's motion till Monday nest..-•Adjounu d. Tr Est% %If , MAY 21. The Royal Assent was given by commission to the Rank Restriction, the Cotton Export Prohibition, the Wrought Goods, tho Cork Duty, the War Customs and Excise Duties, the Additional Tonnage, the Excht.qiier Bills on Aids, the An nual Indemnity, the Two Millions Irish Treasury inns, the Seventeen Hundred Thousand Pounds Irish Treasury Bills, the Yeomanry Corps, the Local Militia Ballot, the Innkeepers' ' Rates, and the Scotch Excise Indemnity Bills. Wurscsn V, NIA Y 22. The Habeas Corpus Amendment Bill was committed, and the Cormier , ' Bill, after a short discussion, was re-committed. On the Order of the Day for the second reading of the Bill to repeal the Act of 11 illiant 111, which inflicts the penalty of death on the et" •of stealing in a shop above the value of :35. Lord 1•11.1.1 IN uuoltut c n Opposed it, and stated the good effects, in Tie• pre% ...talon of yr . a , that resulted from the salutary lei rot .capital punishment, even where it was in tact seldom actnalls iwthetyd. He moved the second reading of the Bill this iloy three months, which was curried.—Adjourned till Friday. Fli lIIAT, 'MAY 24. Lord Dalhousie (Earl of Dallimisiv), Lord Meldrum (Earl of A boyne), mid Lord roxford (Earl of Limeric). were seve rally •oduced by Lord Douglas, of Loehleven (Earl of Mor ton), and Lord Stewart, of thirties (Earl of Galloway). Their patents ut creation has inn been read at the table, their Lord ships took the oaths and their seats. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. Earl ST 4NHOPi: adverted to the rejection of the Rill respect ing Weight* and Measures, and observed, that the rejection was on account of the imperfections of the measure; and not because their Lordships 'wished to get rid of the question altogether. The subject, on the contrary, was of the greatest importance; but it reqnired to be scientifically considered and au ianged before any measure was proposed to Parliament. Upon this ground he wished for the appointment of a coin mission of men of known science, with such others as might be deemed expedient, for the purpose ut considering the subject, and ascertaining sonic true and proper standard as the founda tion of a legislative measure. He, for one, could not consent to any standard not founded in nature; that of Barleycorns was spite contemptible, mud utterly unworthy of a country famous Air its mathematics, its science, and its ineeltailics, a country which had to boast of a Newton, a !lotion, u Simpson, a Napier, and a Maelanrin. this Lordship suggested the names of several itirlividords who, from their science, or know ledge of the subject, he thought, ought to be included in the euminission ; amongst others, Dr. Hutton, Dr. Wollaston, Dr. Robertson of 0 s Cord, Mr. Vince of Cambridge, Professor Play fair of Edinbin gh• ' also the Earl of Aberdeen and tits', Earl of Ross. lie concluded by moving an Address to the Prince Regent, requesting his Royal Highness would be graciously pleased to appoint a commission to consider the subject of %Veights and Mestsiire, mid endeavour to ascertain a proper standard. The Earl of Aar:noes:a wished to decline being a Member of such a coon& ssion ; not considc ring him...elle petent, flout his limited knowledge of the 'lO9 eel. His Lot dship suited that there was 'at present an csaniiiiatiou going on upon the subject amongst scientific men. The Eai I Of LI v Ctu POOL IlerCed to the motion, wishing that every facility might he given to the considi•iation of the sub ject, which of course involved, as well as science, a variety of practical points. 'fhe motion was agjeed to, mid the Address ordered to be presented tha Lords with ',Uwe tit! I Monday. .' .7....0*.• Puicz 9 Ad. HOUSE OF COMMONS, MONDAY, MAY 29. A Petition was presented from Perth, thank biz the ifolote for the rejection of the income-tax, and praying further relief' froth Taxation. THANKS TO SIR L. COLE, AND SIR H. CLINTON. Licitt.-Oenerals Sir L. Cole and Sir H. Clinton attended in their places to receive the ulroikii of the House for their gal— lant conduct at the Rattle of Waterloo. The SPEAK rn, in a very impres , ive %perch, delivered the th an k, of the I louse to Sir L. Cole, congratulating him on hi* illi.timoished conduct iu the various camp a i gn , o f Egypt, Italy, Poi fugal, anti Spin; and finally in the gltnititiii battle of It aterlim. The Speaker then delivered thanks to Lieut. Gen. Sit- I!. Clinton:—.l.lter paving a deserved tribute to the army in ge neral, lie concluded in the following inautter—" Your present' stay simtogst its we understand to be only for a short period; but oil returning to your brethren in antis, let them be assure ' i by yon, dust whenever their foreign service, shall terminate, they will lion that their good deeds have not been forgotten by us ;. and we trilst, that on re-entering the metropolis of their mitt ve country, they will behold some lofty and (hirable monis. nielit whirl' shall commemorate to the latest ages our never ending gratitude, to the armies who have fought fur us , and the 60,1 who has delivered its." Sir L. CoLL, and Sir H. CLINTON seterally acknowledges[ the honour they had received. Col. Wool) moved for a Committee to inquire into the pro. pretty of altering and amending the Game Laws. The Hon. Member entered at considerable length into a review of the Game laws as they at present stood; add contended, that they were injurious to the murals of the people, inasmuch air they tended to encourage poachers; since there *ere many gentlemen of furious!, who, without inquiring 'the Office whence supplies of Game were drawn, which were daily eit• posed for sale in London, would become purchasers. The motion was agreed to, and a Committee. appointed. Sir E. Bmvuoks moved, that the orders for committing the Paupers' Belief Bill and the Poor Removal Bill should ha discharged; the Hon. Baronet stating that it was his intrittibt{ to withdraw both those Bills till neat session. The motiois was agreed to. IRIS!! FIN %SCES. The Hone, on the motion of Mr. FtrzoHßAT.n, vrcnt into 4 Committee on the seventh article of the union with Ireland. Mr. V. FITZGERALD entered into a detail of the present financial state of Ireland ; anti took a review of the difficultly* under which she at present laboured ; adlfflenities Nliich, he was prepared to shoe, originated in the exertions which she had made to keep pace with Great Britain in the late oration* and expensive contest. Ile then observed, that by the see eine article of the Act of Union it was provided, that when the debt of either country shoat* exceed a certain proportion, as nom. pared with each other, the united debt should he dim-tweeds, ' indiscriminately, by a tax on both countries, tinder certain re. eulations. lie proceeded to slew, that the period thus iletinef had arrived ; and claimed that the proposed measure be, there. fore, adopted. He then moved his Resolution, which provided for the discharge of the duties of the two Offices of Chancellor of the Exchequer in one and the same person ; sad the neces. city of assimilating the revenues of the two countries, in equal proportions, according to the provisions of the Act of Union. Mr. HAA RE% contended, that the opinion he bad always ens tertained of the incompetency of Ireland to contribute her NM share to the exigencies of the State, was now proved by the speech of the Right Hon. Gentleman to be correct. With re. speet to the cure, it' it was to be the only relief, lie had no oh: jection to it. He was, however, afraid, that the only relief for 'Malta was loans during a peace establishment. Sir J. NEw PUNT said, the effect of the Union had produced/ bankroptey ; and therefore it was that Ireland had been re. diced to her present state by the proceedings of the Uniteit Parliament. The Right lion. Baronet, having pointed out many errors made at the Union, contended that Ireland coults not be considered as suing fur assistance inform,' pasperis. Lord CA , TLIiIt EAGD observed, that glue Wily question opera for the decision of Parliament at the end of the twenty years was the (pinta system. Ile defended the particular clause re. fermi to by t h e Hon. Gentleman ( r. Ratites), which he jus. tined on the precedent adopted by. the Scotch Union; and cons tended, that to delay the enquiry and assimilation of taxa* longer, would operate to the prejudice ot'lrelaud. The Noble* Lord entered into an explanation and comparison of the dim. collies under which Ireland laboured since the Union; maintained, that the expenditure would have been (SllppoSlllll a state of war had not existed) something more than four till. lions annually. N'as it wonderful that Ireland should be no* distres.vcd, when her exertions for the war were considered? The Itesolutions for consolidating the Treasuries of Great Britain and Ireland were agreed to.—Adjourued at I'4res o'Cluck. TCLSDAV, MAY 11. Petitions were presented front Uptninster, Smith Orkendenj against the Tythe Systetn.—Laid on the Table. EDUCATION OF PODR CHILDREN. Mr. IIItOLG/i AM called the attention of the /lonise to the edit. cation of the poorer classes. The aggregate number of chits , dren in the Metropolis without education, he calculated to be nut lesa then 190,000. With every respect to the institution* already established fur the education of children, they were (Itoweer salutary the object) inadequate to the purposes. The lbw. Gentleman here referred to the cun uaeudablc conduct of the late Joseph Fox. That Gentleman had furnished 35001. CO th e purposes of Use lasuritsterian School.—Notwithstandinn which, and the laudable efforts of other societies and other Gentleuten, the public schools were only ahle to educate • small portion Lit those iu want of ccliteation. tie was aware of the difficulty nt the subject ; but at least it wontil be desirable to see %%hillier .timelliiva could not be done. By col:stabil. the pal kit i egisters of Nlauchester and &Word, he timitcl, that within the six S ears - ending in 1511.. r, there had heel, contri.eteti 10,000 marriages ; the pat tie. entitraeting not being able, froth WWI qtalaCatialit) to 4b lbw mum* to Wo coutimet, 'NW : ;; A' 4. 1 si f ig 42dh - , ,••••