The National Register. — London, England, 1817-03-17 00:00:00

MARCH 17. if:►T4 RESPECTING A PLAN I.OR Ti-IL EMPLOY MENT OF MEN Ulu LEARNING, , TALENT, AND INGENUITY. TO THE EDITOR. -....- Sin—Amongst the numerous Institutions for the amelioration and improvement of mankind, in times of general safTering like the present, there does not appear to be one directly devoted to the interests of such men of learning- and genius as are either wholly une:nployed, employe I to very little pitrpok,, or to sonic parpose unworthy ortheir condition in life, and the education they have. acquired. Permit ma, therefore, to throw out a few hints, which abler pens may improve and act upon, for the establishment of an Institution calculated to give such persons as these a fair and rational opportunity of em pleying their literary and scientific attainments in such away as will prove Lcrlotioial to themselves, and useful to the community at large. I believe no argumentation is necessary to prove, that at this time there are great rovnbers of p ersons • whose only stock in trade, if I may be allowei the expression, is that of a good. education, or a valuable and excellent genius. Of this cast there are many youngmea.from Scotland—some from' our own Universities—many Clergymen, with livings inadequate to their support in that sphere of life in which their profession requires them to move—many from the various Dissenting academies, seminaries, and public schools—many more young men, possessing what are called anturo/ talents, devoted to various branches of arts, science, and gene ral literature,--and lastly, numerous persons who, al though they have " seen better days," now possess no means of maintaining themselves by trade and com merce, but who could, had they an opportunity, turn their early education and inventive talegts to some good purpose. _ Education, alas ! does not always (though I believe it does generally) screen its possessors from the tempta tions arising out of penury. Hence talent, if not use fully emoloyed, is too often devoted to some mischievous purpose ; and it is a lamentable fact, that many men of sound learning, anti in other respects of correct conduct, are to be found in this metropolis, who, having no better way of employing themselves, are tc:npted to prostitute their literary and other acquirements to the support of principles and measures whinli, in their sober judgment, they utterly disapprove. This mental prostitution is of the most de.grading and humiliating nature; but, alas ! it is not uncommon. The plan which I pmpose for the alleviwion, if not the removal of these and other evils arising from want of opportunity and patronage afforded to poor men of learning, is briefly as follows : Let same man of opulence, liberality, and greatness of miwl, erect AN •ACADEMY on such a plan as shall be capable of a•linitting, under the same roof, ranges of desks, tables, and thr:ns in small, but open recesses, which, at a small tinily, or hourly expellee, in the shape of rent, to which men capable of teaching the various branches of practical education, m resort, and thither meet, or bring their respective pupils. To make. myself more clearly understood ; let us suppose such an academy —which, by the way, we may call 'ma ATitcwar.ust--I now ready for the reception of teachers and puoils.—ln one or m na: of ihese recesses we find every thing requi aite for teaching geography and the use of the globes, as hook., maps, globes, &c. In another an apparatus for drawing, painting, &c. In a third, suitable move niencies fur teaching the classics. In a fourth for the mathematics, navigation; Sot. &e. Thus going through the various departments of learning usually acquired at our public schools. To these recesses, or tables, with every thing requi site to the objects for which they are appropriated, men ' of sound learning and correct ru3rals,—for no other should be admitted,—might resort f;:r one, two, or three hours in each day, - there to meet their respective pu pils give them their lessons, and retire, A pupil in ME ATHENAEUM, who had received his accustomed • lesson in wriling,, for instance, might immediately apply • to sonic teacher to learn drawing, to a th;sa for the ma- Mematies, &c. As in this Letter, I profess only to give a feint hint. of such an -Institution as thiS, which I am well con vinced, might be carried into effect, and prove of real advaatag3 b ith to teachers and papils, without the dangers and inconvenietves of what are called public schools on the present plots, I shall not enter into any farther details ; nor attempt at present to answer such objelions to which I am aware the ATIIENLEX is ob noxious. I shall conclude, therefore by aterely stating, that it is my opinion this Institution should in fact be the property of one man ; or at least should be under Cat entire government if a single individual whose will as to its general regulations, discipline, qualifications of admissions, &as should govern the whole, while the most rigid discipline should preserve its respectability and ensure its success. J. N. THE NATIONAL REGISTER. THE DRAMA. DRURY LANE. Manua has been repeated several times during the week. Some curtailments had been made, and pas sages totally omitted, which rendered the progress of the plot more regular and interesting. The Play abounds in poetical beauties ; and if it had more busi ness, or that the character of Manuel possessed more striking katurcs than it does, it would be as popular as its predecessor, Bertram. COVENT G RDEN THE ITRE. Saturday Shakespear's tragedy of Cymheline was produced at this Theatre, in which Mr. Booth per formed, for the first time, the character of Leonatus Posthumus. Mr. Kean not having hitherto undertaken this character, Mr. 13ooth's opptments, (if any remain), were deprived of one of their strong objections, that of accusing him of being a mere copyist. He went through this character, which, it must be confessed, is a somewhat arduous one, with all the energy and feel ing required to give it effect. On his first entrance, he was received with loud and continual shouts of ap plause ; and in all the most striking pasasges of the piece, those applauses were repeated. The chief novelty, however, . was the introduction of a Miss Costello to a London audience, from the Cheltenham Theatre, in the character of Imogen. We have no room fitr remarks on the person of this actress ; and still less inclination fin- severity of criticism on her acting Her voice is by no means eminently calculated fur the extensive range of so large a Theatre as Covent Garden ; and she does not appear at present, to have acquired the art of adapting .her voice, such as it is, to so numerous an audience. Miss Costello, however, was received throughout, if not with enthusiastic ap plause, at least with sufficient tenderness and respect, unmixed with any very sensible marks of disapproba-. t ion. But the chief burst of popular enthusiasm seemed rewrved for Mr. Young, as locleimo. In whatever character this most chaste actor appears, be is always dignified and correct. To attempt any delineation of his performance on this evening, would be only to re peat what all enlightened admirers of the Drama al ready feel for Mr. Younq—unmixed approbation. COBBETT-ANOTHER WHITE FEATHER. At the lite Hampshire Meeting for addressing the Prince Regent ou his escape from the attacks of some of the " Sovereign People," Messrs. Cobbett and Hunt were completely driven from the field in which they had basely thrust themselves to sow their usual profligate seeds of discord. _But what gives this meeting any interest connected wi.h these redoubt able Rethrmers, in the circumstance of, Mr. Lockhart, M. P. having actually. sent a challenge to Cobbett, who had most wantonly and daringly insulted hint. We have no roonvfor the letters which past between these gentle men ; but we beg leave to inthrm our readers (if indeed such intbrmation could be required by any one truly acquainted with the genuine character of all such swag gering bullying gentry as this same Hampshire Farmer) that Mr. Cobbett, after much equivocation, hesitation, and 'shuffling, refused to fight at Winchester ; but inti mated his willingness to " have some fun" with Mr. L. in town. This intimation, however, was given in such a manner as left no doubt Stri to Cobbett's real intentions ; which, as he now ackonwledges, we . reWn . t to fight at all, and these are the reimns by which : he now justifies his conduct If he had fought Mr: L. he would sure to be hit one time or other.-24, Be should have to forfeit s,oooL—fid, 1-Te had written vgains► the practice of duelling--and 4thly, .aul lastly, he had business of "more importance" - in town.--But truly anti in fact, Mt. C. durst'n't lights; theugh he evidently gave his insulted antagonist clearly to understand that he would fight him. The Prince • Regent gave a splendid farewell • enter ment on Monday to the Grand Duke Nicholas, and a numerous party of distinction, at Carlton House. Tues day the Grand Dnkc partook of a grand public break fast. given by the Ditke of Devonshire at Chiswick.— In the evening his Imperial liighness dined with the Drake and Duclicss of. York, and on Friday he. set out to embark tier Ostend. It.IIILITARY REDUCTIONS.—The 100th regiment has been ordered `to this country trims New Brunswick, and on its arrival is expectud to be ream-el—Orders have been giver. lire thederov trwps un4l, companies of the under-tocationetl regiments, which have been order ed Iv'me from India, being inuoolintelly aiscoutinttetl. viz. .44th light dragoons, 25th ditto, 19tli foot, Stith foot, 21 Batt. 18th foot, 80th and SGth lint, ditto, liir W. Burroughs and Mr. Harvey arc candidates forCnichester, in the nx►n of Mr Thornton resigned The election commences on Monday morning next, at nine n'tlock. A recent fill of part of the clilUat Reculver has brought to light a Roman gold coin, of the lower Em pire, in a fine stute of preservation, also a large pin of the purest gt4d, with an ornamented .head, having a pearl and an emerald attached to it. PUBLIC MEETINGS. ....- CITY OF WESTMINSTER. Vim.lay a numerous meeting of the inhabitants of West minster, was held in Palace-yard, pursuant to requisition, to take into cousiiteration the propriety of presenting an humble Address to the Prince Regent, praying his Royal Highness to remove from his councils and confidence those Ministers who appeared unwilling to adopt any measures of economy or re trenchment, but determined to drive a suffering and starving people to despair.—Major Cartwright proposed the Address, seconded by Mr. Walker, and carried unanimonsly.—Sir k. Hardett, in reply to thanks voted him, said, .t oils the first time in his life, that he had advocated a change of Ministers, because he had found, that such a change seldom produced any change of measures; hut it did appear to hint at present. that in or der to stop the career of tyranny, which was now commeneed, it had become necessary, as a first step, that tho Ministers and their hills should lie dismissed together. They consisted of a trimuphaut faction of the oligarchical party and borough proprietors, who held the Crown in as complete a thraldom as they held the subject.—Lord Cochrane re turned thanks at considerable length, after which the meet ing dissolved. COUNTY OF BUCKINGHAM. The County Meeting at Aylesbury, on Wednesday last, was very numerously attended by the Nobility and Gentry of the County of Bucks. The business of the Assizes did not ter minate till near three o'clock, immediately after which, the High Sheriff, Mr. Carrington, took the Chair, and opened the business of the Meeting in a very neat and appropriate speech. —A fter the Requisition had been read, the Mar quis of Buckingham rose and addressed the Meeting in a very forcible speech, replete with loyal and constitutional principles. His Lordship then proposed a series of Re solutions, and an Address to be presented to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, congratulating his Royal Highness upon his escane, and expressive of their in dignation at the outrage offered to his Royal Highness, upon his return from opening the Session of Parliament.—The Earl of Bridgewater, after complimenting the Noble Mover of the Resolutions and the High Sheriff, who so ably tilted the Chair, seconded the Resolutions. They were then severall y pro posed and carried unanimously. After the High Sheriff had left the Chair, the same was taken by the Earl of Bridge water, when the thanks of the Meeting were unanimously voted to the High Sheriff for his conduct on the °erasion. The Rev. C. J. Blonitield then moved the thanks of the Meet inn, to the Noble Mover and Seconder of the Address, which motion was seconded by the Rev. Sir George Lee, Bart. and carried unanimously, upon which the Marquis of Rockingham and Lord Bridgewater severally returned their thanks. COUNTY OF HANTS. On Tuesday a Meeting of the County of Hants took place. at Winchester, pursuant to a Requisition to the High Sheriff, signed by 45 freeholders of the highest rank and respectabi lity • among whom were the Marquisses of Winchester and Burlingham; Lords Portsmouth, Malmesbury, Rodney, Northesk. Bolton, Fitzharris, and Palmerston ' • Sir Thomas Baring, Sir Charles Ogle, Sir James Whalley Smythe Gar diner. the Right lion. George Rose, -Right Han. Sturges Bourne; W. Chute, T. F. Heathrow, E4qrS. the Mem bers for the County, &e. &c. to agree to an Adds., as to the Prince Regent on the late atrocious and traitorous outrage upon the person of his Royal Highness, on his ret , lrn from apeniog the S .scion of Parliament.—The Address was risovett by Sir Charles Ogle, Bart. and seconded by Asheto i Sinvthe, El —Mr. Othbett, with his associate Hunt, attereptzd to carry an embodying subjects totally irrelevant to tin: object for which the Meeting was convened: but there were at least three to one in favour of the. Address, %elicit w ascertained, not in the usual manner of a show of hands, but by the two parties separaiing.—Lord Cochrane Was pre seott, and addressed the Meetiog ; bot his Lou &hip did not appear to identify himself with the Cobbett party.-- There were about 3000 persons present. COUNTY OF KENT. A • Meeting of the Freeholders and inhabitants of Rent took place at Maidstone on Thursday, and on no occasion hail titer' ever tonna a •norc respectable, or so nnmerons an at sentience. An Address to the Prince Regent, on the indig nity °tiered his person, was moved by Mr. Calcraft. and sitp 'ported by Sir Wm. Geary and Sir Edward It natchbull. Mr. Waild'ngton moved an amendment, which was rejected al most unanimously, and the Address immediately carried. •A petii ion to the 'House of Commons on the subject of eco nomy, retrenchment, and reform, was then proposed by Mr. Win. Honey wood, and seconded by Mr. airel.—Mr. Hatton opposed; sir R. Wilson replied to Mr. Hatton, in a speech of eons.derahle length and nimeli ClOgllt'llre. --Sir E. Knatclibull f dloweill on the side of Mr. Hatton, and was ansn ere(' by Mr. Calcraft and Sir Wm. Geary.—Mr. Waddington again nia‘ ed an timentlineut fir the adjournment of the meeting, on the principle that, as the House of Commons had suspended the Habeas Corpus, no more petitions should be presented by the people to that House ; lint this amendinetir aas nega tived iiiinnimonsly, and tin• petition, as original," proposed, was carried by the whole ineetinz, except Mr. Hatton, Sir E. Knatchlottll, and a few others.—After the petition, a Reshdu• tion was proposed for communication of the thanks of the Meetinz to the Marquis of Camden. in consequence of his tiotne e sanTle• to the sinecui isle, and was Clink(' UU4III - um , ly. Ott Monday another schoolmaster,•charged with trea sonable practices was lolged in Glasgow Jail. lie w3R brought from the vilaz►e of Carmunnock, a few miles distant. Rewards of .)01. are (Cured in the Glas.;ow Papers for thu apprehension.of I'M'Ewen, who is de scribed as a carding master in Gnrbals, and M‘Dowal Paw, a waver in Anderston, who are also accused of treasonable practices and administering unlawful oaths A reward of 201. is also offered tint the seizure of one Moses D3WSIIII, accased of sedition only. Dawson i 3 said t:t bo the author of the Fclitious pamphlets, f , r publication of whiz+ several printers and booksellers ars under bail• Ile is described as a hawlsing bookseller. The Bill brought int&Parliament for facilitating the progress of suits at Equity before the Courts of Excite 'quer, authorises the Chief Baron to sit singly for the hearing of snits at such times us he shall appoint ; or in case of his absence, for any unavoidable reason, ore of the other Barons nrls• be appointed the P.we.,l Sign Manual to sit fur him.