The National Register. — London, England, 1821-05-28 00:00:00

Arr., 161 THE WESTMINSTER DINNER. . On Wednesday last the fourteenth anniversary din ner, in cc lel of the tr,iiinlen in IVestinioster, was held at the Crown and Anchor •1 tern. Tue great (001111 'was filled a cotisttletatole mite before the ell lir o i taken, by a most respectable assemAye of nide ,ett‘leitt ventle men. At a little after five Fratteis enter , d the room, accooloaoted ..% J C. flotillouse, S. Whitbread, El.q. Alai:room Wtkocl, aml a IIUILIi/Cr of other distinguished characters, and was received in the must enthusiastic 111i11111. r. Sir F. Burdett then took the Chair. After the cloth was drawn, the first toast given was —"The people, the only source of legitimate power." Three times three. Tune—" Britons, str,ke himie."— Toast—" The King, and may he recollect his own de claration, that the crown is held in trust far the benefit of his people."—Three mama three. Sotig—" Hope told a flattering tale," was given amidst much applause. The health of the Queen was next drank in the most rutlnuiastic 1140114:1, with continued cheers. Song— " Role B1'1141111113." The only cure for all Our grievances—a thorough reborn iii our Commons House of Parliament," was drank with three times three.— Tune—" Kick the rogue. out." Alderman Wood men rose and said, that as he was an elector of WestiuMaer, he had the privilege, of which he ahould avail himself with peculiar delight, of propo sing a toast to them—the health of an individual ; of whom he might well say, that no man could be found in the whole kingd who had advocated the cause of liberty so notch, nor suffered so much liar so advocating ii, as Sir Francis Burdett. (Applause.) The wormy Alderman professed his inability in 4141 adequate justice to hint who was the subject of the toast lie was about to propose, but saul,that as lunges he had health and spirits, the electors of Westminster would he ever anxious to maintain him in that situation which he had so lung filled to the admiration of themselves and the nation at large. He concluded by proposing the health of" The consistent opposer of tyranny and oppression ; the steady advocate of our rights; the incorruptible statesman, un daunted by persecution, unsullied by corruption : our honest representative, Sir F Burdett." Which was then drank amidst reiterated cheers. Tune—" Whilst happy in our native land." Sir F. Burtorre, in rising to return thanks, said it could not but be nighty gratifying to him to meet aaain so 110111Cr0011 an assemblage of his constituents, and to meet with such testinunites of regard and affection as he had then met with, after so long a counection, whicii was too long to admit of the suspicion that any thing like deceit or duplicity existed either on one side or the other. To the electors of Westminster he should ever appeal as the ouly persons who were the most liberal in judging, he could admit none others. His services had been rather too handsomely spoken of by the worthy alderman, and he could only say, with regard to them, that he would be always more than repaid by the approbation of his constituents. As to what had been said about the Memo eitiences he had endured, he must in answer say, Mat he could take no individual :merit for enduring such sufferings as he hail, when he considered the number of his fellow countrymen who hail been isupesoned with such rigour, for °timers which the must hardy, since the explosion of the Stuarts, would not before have ventured to punish.—(Loud ap plause.)—i-The worthy Baronet expressed the high plea sure which he felt at seeing that tits constituents main tamed the saute solid and unal eraale determination in favour of that reform which they had so long contended for, and of which they still continued in steady pursuit, without any falling oft, notwithstanding the great length of time they had been together in so unprofitable a chase. But when he saw so many men of rank, weight, and abilities, continning to join them in the pursuit, and so favourable a prospect as had been held out of reformers of every description uniting in their object, he did tech greatly encouraged in proceeding with his cons:int ents iii that course which they had so long consistently and with so numb ardour gone on. (Applause.) During his absence trout the House of Commons, their great question had been taken up by a gentletnati, in whose aide hands he hoped it had not suilered, although by an unfortunate conjunction of circumstance, it had been got rid of in a manner that could not have been foreseen. But he thought they could look back with confidence to tne considerable ituntoer of important p, ruins who were prepared to have supported the measure on which their hopes were founded. He saw nothing in their general affairs upon which he could congratulate them. They saw on every side the same violent encroachmenta made upon their laws and libertiel. But nothing that had been done for a length of tune should give them more alarm fur the liberty of the press—without which no other libetty could long continue to exist—than the formation of a body of permits, who had united, under toe 11.1111 e of the constitutional society, for the purpose of attacking and destroying all those publications which advocated 1)4111111:41 sroumeuts that did not square with those held by this association. He thought that those ho were hostile to the liberty of the press might have been well satisfied wialt the tincoostaititiimal measures that had been adopted against it, alai the exercise of those uncoils . i iii Lomat powers which had been vested in, Soul so efficiently used by the Attorney and the Soli citor General, with those duties this society scented to have set theinaelves at variance, for the pitrpose of de stroying whit little of the liberty of the press yet retuaitted.—(Great applause.)—Wheti they considered the 11i1111t3 4.11 1110se WIIO this, which he tomtit.' take the litany to call unconstitutional and ASSOCIaIIIOO, tiny Windt' U4:110111 with pain toe 114411 e of a Briton 111 the truant isllo was indebted to the public for his wealth, fame, rank, and charac ter, and nen for the purse which he nutted against their dearest tertitriiiiii, the littetty ill the press.--(Gle4; .11/11;4111C.) h r.e Ittm. b l ie4Cr 1114'11 1411erlud 141 the 141- 10 4.11w1,1.. 411114 .1i . 411 coligratulated the y dad out u.r fix the opprobrium of that liked UOl.l most ur.ve isica wito hail tougot with such VW, THE NATIONAL REGISTER bravery its the SI.:(VICC of the country. He commented at great length upon the transaction in a powerful man ner, that occasioned continued bursts of feeling. He animadverted won mileit severity upon,the statements that had been inane in josiity me proceeding, and after %bards M. eti up as totally desi nute of lottittlation, and said the public should never fore, t, trout these instances, how little credit was due to the statements made from men in the highest situations. Yet, 11111111 Six acts which had struck so deeply had been founded, and lie had no doubt that the same ear would be given to similar statements front the same quarter, when ver it was necessary to make similar encroachments. Htd the people in toe country continued to go on with the sumach system of Liultlitisiti, and continued to commit depredations on private property, their excesses would have been beheld with an eye of more forbearance, but it was because they had pit :he finger upon the real sore, and had called for reform, that they were attacked indi rectly.—After some further observations, the bon. Bart. adverted to the subject of the attacks which were making upon the press, whiten had been working with excel lent effect in quarters vu here, until very lately, they had no very great reason to entertain any sanguine expectations, and had done more fur the cause of truth and liberty than any thing else beside. Indeed, in speaking of the benefits that were to be derived trout its free and proper exercise, he knew not how sufficiently to express himself. When they saw the progress it was hourly Making; the extension of its powerful influence over minds that had before never enjoyed its high: ; whets the SSW the abilities with which it was conducted by some of the first patriots, notwithandiog the difficulties it had in its way, though they might look at their labours with much satisfaction, they could not but tremble for them when they saw the mischiefs and the imminent peril to which they so honourable exprosed themselves. applause.) He much wished that he could suggest some measures, or devise some means, that would give to those who fearlessly stood forward that support which they so well deserved. The lion baronet coricluded by calling upon reformers each to unite in his own circle, and to bring the whole body to bear nit the House with such a sentiment as would oblige tnem to turn a reluctant ear to the demands uf the people. The next toast proposed was—" The memory of our unfortunate fellow-subjects, men, women, and children, who suffered at Manchester in August, 1819," which was drank in solemn silence; after which " The Dead March in Saul " was played ty the band with much solemnity. The Hon. D. KINNAIRD next addressed the meeting He said, he had great satisfaction in proposing a toast that required no recommendation. He should, there fore, without further delay, propose the health of our worthy representative, John Cain Hohhnuse, the able and intrepid supporter of the boroughninnger oligarchy —the man who dares to attack apostacy when sheltered by power." (Great appl tine.) Mr. HOBHO tins said, U his colleague considered him self hisuly honoured by the compliment that had been just paid him,distinguished as lie was by the approbation of all the people of England, how much more should himself feel flattered by the reception of his name? The most that a man can do by his conduct in public life is to realize the wishes of orivate friendship, and that, it was truly grateful to his breast, he had done. He was now little more than a year the colleague of their long tr representative, and if he had failed in fulfilling any of their expectations, it was from want of ability, and Lot from want of inclination. Several gentlemen regretted that they could not be present at the meeting. Mr. H. then read letters from Lord Nugent and Mr. Leonard, in which they severally expressed their regret at not beiug able to attend the meeting. The cause (said Mr. U.) is good, and never can want friends; even if your own virtues did not support it, the vices of your oppments would. (Applause.) The country can never he well governed unless the people shall be fairly repre. rented. The eleclors of Westminster had taken a proud part, and they should ever find him their a shouts assist alit. Our rulers say we arc doing well. It reminded him of a doctor, who, when his patient told him he had not slept last night, said it was a good symptom ; the patient said he felt quite feverish—the doctor said it was a very good symptom—in this way we are dying of I 0,000 good symptoms. (A laugh.) Mr Hubuouse here ridi culed the association for restraining the liberty of the press, and said, they would fitttl the, wh;le they thought they were gaining laurels, they were gaining a cap and bells. In 1693 there was also an association for putting down the liberty of the press, hurt tt failed in its object, and the free press, which was long the glory of the coun try, would overcome every effort to extinguish it. The Chairmen next proposed the heelth of " Mr. Whitbread, and our brother reformers in Middlesex." „• Mr.%lv HITUMEAD, in returning thanks, said, he cone ID the meeting with a heart full of gratitude for the ho nour that Rimy of the electors of Westminster, who were also electors of Middlesex, had done hun. He had faithfully entleatoured to discharge his duty, and would end as he had begun—a steady reformer. lie tint, that it was Mr. Byng's wish to have attended the meet but it was not in his priwer. The Chairman next proposed ” the Constitution of Old England," which was drank with great ap Luse. Mr..l HELWALL, iu an ai i i iii aied speech, called on the meeting to support the constitution, which was at tacked by an association for potting down the liberty of the press. lie pledged him-elf that he would not be found timidly seeking his own safety when he should contend fur the salvation of the country. The Chairman mitt proposed " the health of Alder man Wood.' whose pablic acts, he said, required no pre ise. Alderman WOOD said, he was always a true reformer; sometimes he was called a radical, but he supposed those who gave hint the aplxllation judged by his acts. for he was always ready to tilt/I 11111. corroptio,i. (Applause.) lie was curry an J.socitition hail lirou ;or-nt.; ILI Loudon against the freedom of the , he 11 ,, r(i Ihry would remote to head-toasters. y Mr. Haute's health was hest proposed by the Chair.. Mr. Hums returned thanks. and ssid, though at all limes ha l m), to meet lllb countrymen. he was Irecultarly so to meet those who had set an ex inside to all England, by sending ntru of virtue amid talent to "'Alamein. 'rise Hon. I),ltta,las Kinitairtra health was next drank. Mr. KINNAIRD returned thanks, and said all Scot. land were relormers. _ _ _ At half past ten oclock Sir F. Burdett, and rainy other members of the House of Conumms, kit the room; soon after which the comp my (which was one of the most numerous and respectable we have witnessed oil soy similar occasion for many years) separated. Nearly 400 persons sat down to dinner, amt sillily were obliged ; for want of room, to dine b..10w stairs. ...►.. THE QUEENS VISIT TO THE ITALIAN OPERA. On Thursday night het Majesty honoured the Italian Opera with her presence. She entered the house soon alter the coniniCnceitient of tile Clp lormance, accompa nied by I.nrd and Lady Hood. Her Majesty occupied one of the center pritate boxes in the second tier, last as she remained is the back part of the box, she was not recognised until towards the end of the second act, when slit was observed by several gentlemen iu the pit and the boxes. At the end of the act the wrsrhee of her Majesty became generally known, and she was re ceived by the majority of the audience in the pit and gallery with cheers and clapping of hinds. There was however some hissing in the pit, winch only excited stronger manifestations of feeling amongst the majority. The applause had lasted tor some minutes before her Majesty had presented herself in the front of the box.— domg which the whole of the audience rose, and " God save the Queen" was loudly called for. 'rite ca.l was attempted w be opposed, nut the opposition was drowned amidst the clamour winch was occasioned by the band going on with the music of the piece to ac company the ballet. The perfarinees were thriven back with the cries of " off, off," and the call for " God save the Queen" being persisted in, the company at length came forward, and sung the hymn " God save the king," substituting the name of the " Qneen" for that of the King in each stanza. Sante part of the au dience who did not hear the name pronounced dis tinctly, gave it themselves with great emphasis. Op position was given up after Signor Ambrogetti had led forward the company. The nobility and gentry in the boxes did not manifest any adverse feeling, but stood in the most respectful manner whilst the hymn was sung ; and we must say, that the vocal performers gate it with a great steal of timidity, but the band played it with much spirit. Her Majesty was dressed in a yellow satin dress, turned up with slack velvet and gold. She wore a black hat with a pluine of ostrich feathers, and ap peared in good health and spirits. The Opera was Don Giovanni, and in the ballet Madame Fanny Bias, the • principal dancer at the Parisian Opera, delighted the audience by a display of elegant agility that hilly justified her celebrity. The House was extre. ely crowded, and during tut remainder of the night her Majesty was the principal object of attention; and on her departure she received the same manifestattens of zeal and of respect that she was greeted with on her being recognised. SPANISH PAPERS. •1.1.../m. ALeISIRAI, APRIL 30.—The Journal of this town, called the Bee, contains a certificate of the Secretary of the Municipality, relating that on the 45th, at the invitation of the Political Chief, and the first Alcalde, the Commandant, the Clergyman of the parish, and the Members of the Municipality, met in the Town-house, where they were informed that a great body of the national militia, and of the people, were invited to solicit the above authorities to listen to what would be explained to them by a deputation, speaking the sentiments of the people. This deputation, composed of respectable persons, represented, that the people, with the national mi litia, guided by love to the country and to the con stitutional system, bad conceived a distrust of some persons living in the town, and in St. Roque, la.- cause their opinions were extremely unfavourable to the Constitution. These persons were, Lieut.-Gen. D. Jose O'Donnell, Brigade-General Don Manuel Albergote, the Ex-Inquisitor D. Francisco Cid, and three other persons, whom they desired to be ba nished to ('cuts, They also desired that a Judge of the First Instance, an Auditor, and a Lieutenant of Artillery, should be deprived of their offices. The Political Chief, and the other authorities, attempted to gain time, that the clamours of the people might abate, and the sanctity of the laws re main inviolate; but the deputation insisted, and, after various altercations, the petition of the people was declared to be just; and it was agreed that Ge neral O'Donnell, and some of the others, should be placed in the convent of this town, under the cus tody of the national militia ; that Albergote should be deprived of his command ; and the Lieutenant, the Judge, and the Auditor, suspended. A number of ancient ornaments, among whi,h were a cross, a brooch set with stones, and several beads, were dug np last week near Gnilton-mills, in the parish of Ash, in Kent ; two graves were also discovered, with the monldred remains of the persons interred. In pursuing the excavations ►everal spears were found, but so completely oxydizLtl as to be incapable of being removed ; on the attempt they crumbled into dust. f