The Statesman. — London, England, 1821-10-10 00:00:00

JOHN ARIVIVIE, ESQ. _ The death of .lohniateenie, Esq. is a national teals mity. His loss cannot be adequately supplied by any living Artist, for, though we have many able engi neers, we know of none who so eminently possess so lidity of judgment with profound knowledge, and the .happy tact of applying to every situation, where he was called upon to exert his faculties, the precise form of remedy that was wanting to the existing evil. Wile •ther it was to stem the torrent and violence of the most boisterous sea—to make new harbours, or to render those safe which were before dangerous or inaccessible —to redeem districts of fruitful land from encroach ment by the ocean, or to deliver them from the pesti lence of stagnant marsh—to level hills, or to tie them together by aqueducts, or arches, or by embankment to raise the valley between them—to make bridges that for beauty surpass all others, and for strength seem destined to endure to the latest posterity. Mr. Rennie had no rival. Every part of the Cnited kingdom possesses monuments to his glory, and they are as stu pendous*s they are useful. Theywill present to our chil dren's children objects of admiration for a thcir gran deur, and of gratitude to the author fur their utility. Comparethe worksof Mr. Rennie with the most boasted exploits of the French engineers, and remark how they tower above them. Look at the Breakwater at Plymouth, in comparison with the Casoons at Cher burg—any one of his Canals with that of Ourke, and his Waterloo-bridge with that of Neailly. Their su periority is acknowledged by every liberal Frenchman. He cultivated his art with the most enthusiastic ardor, and Instead of bring merely a theorist, he prepared iimself for practical efficiency by visiting and minutely inspecting every work of magnitude in every country that bear similitude with those which he might be called on to construct, and his library abounds in the richest collection of scientific writings of that of any individual. The loss of such a man is irreparable. Cut off in the full vigor of his mind his death seems to suspend for a time the march of national improvement, until the just fame of his merit shall animate our rising artists to imi tate his great example, and to prepare themselves by study and observation to overcome, as he did, the most formidable impediments to the progress of human enter prise, of industry, and of increased facility in all the arts of life. The integrity of Mr. Rennie in the fulfilment of his labours, was equal to his genius in the contrivance of his plaits and machinery. He would suffer none of the modes u subterfuges for real strength to be resorted to by the contractors employed to execute what he had under taken. Every thing he did was for futurity, as well as present advantage. An engineer is not like an architect. He has no commission on the amount of his expenditure ; if he bad, Mr. Rennie would have been one of the most opulent men in'England, for many millions have been expended under his eye. But his glory was in the jus tice of his proceeding, and his enjoyment in the success of his labours. It was only as a millwright that he en gaged himself to execute the work be planned, and in this department society is indebted to him for economi sing the power of water, so as to give an increase of enerot, by its specific gravity to the natural fall of streams, and to make his mills equal to four-fold the pro dace of these which, before his time, depended solely on the impetus of the current. His mills of the greatest size work as smoothly as cluck-work, and by the alternatecon tact of wood and iron, arc less liable to the hazard of fire by friction. His mills, indeed, are models of perfection. I (*the death of such a man is a national loss, what mast it be to his private friend: and to his amiable fa rt~ilys Endeared by all who knew him by the gentle riers of his temper, the cheerfulness with which he communicated the riches of his mind, and forwarded the views of those who made useful discoveries or im provements in machinery or implements. procured him universal respect. He gave to inventors all the bene fit: of his experience, removed difficulties which bad not occurred to the author, or suggested alterations which adapted the instrument to its use. No jealousy nor self-interest ever prevented the exercise of this free and unbounded communication, for the love of seience was superior in his mind to all mercenary feel ing.—Mr. Rennie was born' in Scotland, and fisam his earliest years devoted himself to the art of a civil en gineer.• He was the intimate friend and companion of his excellent countryman, the late Mr. Watt ; their habits and pursuits wet e similar. They worked loge ttaer, and to their joint efforts are we chiefly indebted far the gigantic power of the steam-engine in ail our manufactories. He married early in life Miss Macin tosh, a beautiful young WOlll4ll, whom he had the mis fortune to lose souse years ago, but who left him an in teresting and accomplished fatally. They have now to lament the loss of the best of parents, who, though possesse I of a constitution and frame so robust as to give the promise of a very long life, sunk under an • attack at the early age of tit [Attempts have been impotently made by his invidious rivals to disputa Mr. Rennie's pretensions to the character of an Engineer, on account of his having happeacd to be bred a millwright ; as if the practical proofs he has gives of his talents were not more convincing evidence thelti any theoretical acquirements, or as if he were the only pee-' son who bad become an eminent Engineer after having been destined for another pursuit. Many, if not most of the dis tinguished civil engineers of the present day hadbeat ori ginally engaged in some other profession ; and while some of those who cavilled at Mr. Rennie's fame were as noto- riously illiterate as envious. it would hare been easy to thew that Mr. Rewire. in his youth. had enjoyed the advan . tages of a liberal education. About eighteen years ago. it was proposed to cut a short canal through the North Inch of Perth. for the purpose of enabling shipping to avoid the shallows in the river Tay. immediately below the town. bir. Rennie was consulted on the occasion, and prepared the plans and specitications required. On being requested to state his charge for the labour and attention he bad bestow ed upon the business. he declined every idea of remunera tion. alleging as a reason for his refusal. that he begged his services in the work might be accepted as his acknowledg ments to the town of Perth. for the benefit he had 'derived j runs her Academy in which he had been educated. This logtitution, it is well kaown to those acquainted with it. of--' fords a very liberal course of science to its juvenile shekels. and has seat out a groat number of youths who have beeeillis useful sad distinguished members of society. It is sky known ter these aequinted with the mode is whis slis. Rennies.evrriees were estimated- at the period alluded M. teat the nompliment be paid to the town of Perth by kiss*. fusel of reienneratioa, was aeiftier empty our trilling.' We happen to know that about eight or tea yaws ago. when Mr. Rennie was engaged to go to Webs to inlaid an es bankmeot there. his charge was 40 /MINIS a day, sad all his travelling expenses defrayed.---Eosvon.] . . LONDON: WEDNESDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 11, 1021. STOCK EXCHANGE, TWELVE ottoCK. Although several large purchases have been made this week i■ the funds, by eminent brokers, they remain steady this morning. It was 'Supposed the above purchases were made on information received from the Continent, but hitherto nothing has trans pired either to lower or raise the market. The Settling Day is soon approaching, and, according to every appearance, bids fair to the winding up of their accounts, and money not being scarce, we suppose will tend to prevent any fluctuations of great i:nportance. Consols were, this morning, 7711. Except the rumours and the speculations to which the struggles of the Greeks and tbp (pelves 'between Russia and the Porte give rise, e Only article:Af public importance which the foreign papers coq . ; relate to the progress of the epidemic disease in Spat., Respecting that, it might be supposed the matter was so interesting to humanity. as to be little subject to be viewed through the medium of political preju dice, or to be misrepresented by the spirit of party. The reverse, however, is found to be the case. (eripe cially in the Paris papers, the editots of which appear disposed to exaggerate or suppress the symptoms of the epidemic, according as these symptoms suit their political bias. Among i medical his torians this prejudice might be ttym,,aapected to appear. Different theories prevail ,as to the the treatment, and the virulence of„the disease ; some assuming it as highly contagious, and others, as oc casioned by circumstances of temperature, place, and atmosphere. It is not our province to presume to judge in a controversy of such vital importance, and so different from our professional inquiries. We had expected, from the procaine of a medical eorrespondeat, to have been enabled, long ere now, to lay before tile public the result of some recent, and extensive, and enlightened observations on the subject. Certain circumstances, however, as we learn, have unfortu nately occurred, which invasion the desired commu nication to be a while postponed . This we the more regret on account of the alarm which is excited by a respectable Morning Paper of this day, in consequence of the arrival in England of vessels from the Medi terranean, and the looseness with which our laws of quarantine are in general administered. We will not encrease the alarm by stating the cases, because we are convinced that whether the disease in question be contagious or not, it is not, in any degree, so conta gious as fear. We would not, at the same time, make light of a matter which others have regarded in a se rious point of view. While some a our own journals entertain the same opinion with ourselves, that the yellow-fever in Spain has somewhat abated in violence, another states, on the authority of accounts from Bar celona, that up to. the 27th ult. itfoutfitsed to extend its ravages. The truth is, the appfAension excited by it has been extended to other countries on the Con tinent which have communication with the Peninsula, as well as to France. All letters must be fumigated at the frontiers of France and Italy, and a strict quaran tine has been impo'ed on vessels coining from Spain, to any ports upon the coast, from Nice to the confines of Tuscany. Portugal, the land of divine right, monkish slavery, and the inquisition, has by the noble energies of its people broke the chains and shook off the irarnmels of I despotism ; its regeneration has been nobly effected by its glorious spirit of liberty inspiring the ranks of its patriotic defenders. No Ufe-guards can be found there to cut down their inoffensive neighbours, no more vultures in black coats to forward the propoga tion of Spies and Informers, and arm one body of men to destroy the other ; no scouts from a nefarious gang of adventurers to watch the fire-sides of public and pri vate houses; no packed juries or Wantons in power to plunder the KtEtto of the army, of his dearly earned rights ; no hypocrites behind the curtain, who dare prevent the K►NG from placing himself in the midst of his subjects as our Kura, God bless him, was placed among his Web subjects ; no venal press to abuse the first men in the country, and no rewards to the demoralizers of the Portuguese people. No longer like frggs do they want a log of wood for a Kara; no longer is the regal office separated from the rights of the people. The Portuguese Kure is identifietVwith the constitution as a first Magistrate, but not a despot He has attended the Cortes and laid, the first stone of a monument to liberty, now erecting in the square of Romig. at Lisbon, and in commemoration of the over throw of Portuguese slavery. This King was eon- N4l . ijidered a fool among the Royalists of Europe, bat it appears he has sufficient sense to *, see that as Kings are supported by the people, the more amiable, the more lasting the connection. -.The King placed him-, self in a balcony, where 8000 soldiers of liberty passed in review. The 16th regiment who first de clared for the people, were particularly cheered; did the OXFORD BLUES pass in review before the KING in Hyde-park, they could not be more enthusiasti tally housed by the British people, than this cele brated regiment of Portuguese infantry. The dif- Arent bands plapd national airs, such as our Role 1 11ritannia, Scots toha hoe, and Erin go bragh, and the surrounding multitudes joined in the patriotic chorus. After which, a dinner was served out to the poor, and entertainments gratis to the soldiers in theit different quarters. This, as Mr. Cobbett says, is doing things sso they should be. Citizens and Soldiers united in the' beads of friendship ; no difference ; no Mutiny Act to give them Separate interests ; all children of their country ; all subjects equally esteemed by the Consti tution. The Officers, Merchants, and their Repre sentatives, the Cortes dined together ; no obnoxious toasts; no recollecting symbols of despotism. The first toast was that which the late Doke of Norfolk the premier Pier of England, during the zenith of Pitt's domination, and for which he vas degraded— " The Sovereignty of the Nation." The second," The naemorabk 13th of September." The Third, " The wise and enlightened National Congress." The fourth, " Our Coniticational King ;" besides," Our Brethren beyond seas." " The Loyal Army of the Nation." '"l'liose Portuguese who'd prefer death to slavery." " The Cortes of Spain," with many other toasts equally honourable to the friends of liberty, and equally destructive to the hopes of the Ultras of Barer. In the evening the King, Queen, and Royal Family attended the Theatre—no Guards—nothing to separate the King from his subjects—all peace--all brotherly love, and particular marks of public at tachment were shewa to the Queen, who is considered Liberal, or what Slop would call a Radical Princess. In the order of the day issued by the King, he called the Revolution "an astonishingly heroic work." He tells the army their valour was not greater in defence of their country against& foreign foe, than in the em ployment of that valour in the regeneration of their country. This is acting like a King who wishes to unite his interests with those of the people, and become formidable only by the love of his subjects. Hear ye, hear, ye wise men of Europe ; and you of the Holy Alliance profit by the wisdom of King John. Speculation in articles of the first necessity, is of all others the most tempting. These being at all times more or less in demand,. can be deposed of with the pester 4teillty, urn', like the stocks, replaced as a rile or fall may' dictate ; beside general merchandise having a longer credit attached, is not so subject to fluctuate. In the first class is CORN. As the staff of life, it is most essential to trade. Wheat becomes the regulating standard of all others, and of course that article most liable to speculation. On the present harvest opinions are various and contradictory ; and, notwithstanding tl►e general harvest returns speak of an average crop in quantity, there may be some rea sons to doubt the average value in quality. The light grounds which bring the best grain were in all probability most successful in housing, but the heavy crops must have suffered a little by the uncer; tainty of the weather, particularly the Oats sad awls otl►er grain as remained late on the ground. The present fine weather will make for the mountais oats being generally raised in the beginning of this month. Ambiguous forbodings create speculation which is not unfrequently promoted by the Merchants desire to raise Wheat to the maxituans of eighty ski/hags the quarter, and tl e farmer to make a suitable return for his labour; whereas the middle men or speculating dealers, try to take advantage of the fluctuations that a command of money may direct. The quantity of grain used is mostly stationary, and the rise or fall don't as much depend upon that, as upon the nature and quantity at market. The extraordinary fluctuations la the price of grain for the last 25 years have been entirely owing to an enormous paper currency, whose reduced value enhanced the price of all goods, more particularly the article in question, and the unfair mode of selling It by sample. The &fee of this nuns tural currency was destructive in most.cases, and more particularly in country towns, where little shop-keepers and dealers turned linkers, issued their own notes, which had a partial circulation about their neighbour hoods. and made monopoly the order of the day. Farmers, by the facility of discounting their own notes with these note-makers, sent their corn to market as they pleased, and kept it up at fictitious prices, of which the Land-owners tack advantage ; and as Leases doubled, yea, i■ many instances, trebled the rents, when these petty bankers were run on for the multi plicity of their issues, it was found, in a variety of cases, there were few who could pay 4s. 6J. in the pound. This description of paper lost its value, the head rag-shop curtailed its voluminous cargoes of paper to the bankers, and, at last, the small notes were forced out of circulation, by a resumption of cash payments, and articles of the first necessity arrived at thelurisultive level. Nor can they ever return to those !Maw that such an inundation of paper created, unless there is a total failure of alt grain whatsoever. Your Agricultaral Committees, either do nut or • will not know time law sad she lamer of smell Commune's is time thrown away. No doubt they try► all they can to .'-~ THE STA TO PRINTERS, CH AIRMAKERS, DANCING-MA/ 3 ' l TERS, AND OTHERS REQUIRING ROOM. T 0 LET, on LE &S E, or otherwise, T WO H ANDSOME LIGHT WAREHOUSES, 40 feet by 14. adjoining Blaeldriers-road. 'The situation readers Am of consequence to any Person wanting room and light. Apply to Mr. Willlates, baker, corner of Webber -row. PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK. Sink Stook per Cent. Red $ per Cent. Con. 7710 Se per Cent. 6 per Cents. shut 6 per Ct.Nevy I MI Spot Cent. Lon g Ann S per Cent. 771 Irish 6 per Cent. India Stook 235 Ditto Bonds —s.llll. 641. pm South-Sea Stock 841 south 111Sa OM Ann. Ex 9111524. 10001. 3,1 sts.p. Si. is. pm. —Small es. 3s. 4s. pm. India fer ditto Coo. for Aset 7711 Lott. Tickets 191. 12s. &tattfiman• •` THE BEITISM STATESMAN" IS INCORPORATED WITS " STATESMAN." keep up the price of corn, which is so essential fictitious rentals ; 'tis a folly for men of gr eat , property to buoy themselves up with such puerile they must fall their rents 50, instead cent. ; in fact they must be reduced to the they were in previous to the crusads.against ties of France. The sooner it is done while the Farmers have any part of their left. Landlords may look at the thing in every form they think proper, they may maximum or an opening of the ports wii eyes, 'tis all in vain ; if they do not end speedily they will suffer for their own temerity. No doubt, they count upon the h she (raja, but they do not value upon the old Corn ; nor suppose that bad bread must se well as good. The state of trade at pretest either acceptable to the working classes, principal consumers, and the price must by the scarcity of money in the hands of the large. There is little risk in asserting that' never arrive at its former high prim, Woe extraordinary issue of small genaltalowe..' to be hoped, will never take place. , Mr. COMM'? has so ably bsed)ed this *Pet, in his famous publication (Paper egee ei •t has opened the eyes of the country at large. a few remain blind to conviction, it must reading the work alluded to, or from their ral stupidity. In another column will be found a edpy correspondence that has taken pine. ben BCRT WI Lsorr and his Royal Highness the You, since the arrival of the Gallant London. The banh and unrelenting refusal Sir Rountree reiterated demand for as into bis conduct, cannot fail to rouse the animate the zeal of every independent I behalf. To evince the sentiment that throughout the country on the treatment , rienced, we shall take occasion to select some from the country papers we receive; and sent an extract relative to the point in qni 'as of those provincial journals which none in respectability and spirit—the coy : The Courier has been foolhardy enough , " the Country APPROVICS PULL! AND UNEQUI the dismissal of Sir Robert Wilson ; and then, anticip ttion of the opinions that may and nut c d on the transaction, both in and %. House, he says, when bespeaks of the Country not mean to include the Electors of Sontl. Whigs, nor the Radii ale. " With these matt tions' he asserts " there is only one opi, This is an assertion and a concession whit' not have expected from any one, but —a deduct the Electors, the FM" and the Radicals, how many would remain whose opinion on or tion would be worth asking? but if this Or remainder alone constitute the country, why Electors, the Whigs, and the Radicals steeped very ears in taxes to support the credit and a country of which, when it snits their oppressors, are to be told they do not form a part? IVe do not mean to deny to the King the exercise of his undoubted prerogative, any or all of his officers; but it should not be that he enjoys this prerogative for the benefit fur the oppression of his people; and for the r ciao of it Ins Ministers are responsible, not packed from tax-consnmere, but to the country including Electors, Whip, and Radicals. If Englishmen are to be punished without of an appeal to those laws, which, they 'tidally and impartially . admiatitered, and , of which they have assisted, personally or presentatives, we are living under a despotism . English; Constitution is changed ; our persons longer free, nor our property secure. The Sir Robert Wilson from a Connnis, purchased at an expense of six thonsa) and the earl:sac to grant him an open in the face of the country, where he would h, milky of confronting his accusers, and ram tion given on oath privately administered, require no colouring to make them righti, a man thus treated may be ruined in his form wily way be thevictints; but, in the eati honest thinking men, his CUARACTER beyond the reach of such malice. The him reparation, which, in this instance, we nobly fulfil ; and the (plant Oeneral wir from the malignant influence of his detractors. the probable motives of the Commander-in-Chic' fusing Sir Robett Wilson a Court-martial now enter ; but we have been reminded by, eat of a Commander high in rank, who, when of a fair and honourable trial was about to - reputation a character of 'moral turpitude , have rendered , him unfit for farther service, witted to sod 140 retigoottine [RETRAIN' nv A 'ATTU FROM BOSTON, We see iefornsed that the American Curt of Brazils bas terminated, in conseisence removal of that Court to Portugal, and " plena, Esq. Charge des Affaires will to America. Captain Cobley who arrived Aux Cayes, brings information that piratical boats have their principal rendesvoss Tiberon, (the west of Hispaniola,) and • blesonle, causing great depredation foreign Commerce. Indeed, few vessels scription escape their vigilance, and w► board a vessel they arc sure to rob. It , :stained quiet at Aux Cayes, but there depression of commerce. [EXTRACT or a {ATTU RECEIVED PRO?; UORNING.] But little of the last year's Cotton remain M aWil l shipped, but the growing crop promises to be le* LIVERPOOL., OCT. 4. -- Copy of a Treasery tr at ' relating to the importation of Wood trine p r itishl , n rie colonies : lian b r at y a Ch r a e m prad ber e gi ntt" Se l pt s Onsertxmax.—lt having :*ill Lords Commissioners of his Majes t y' s Tres'sri: 1 I inial to th e i r i great lo ol k pas puerile id ea; Go of HI pet rot the sit aa d oo CO at the t c e f the boo st; tri heir cap e a any,et i of y look ta t se rich saliv a It act s wisrti sn aearitioo o inferiority ot w le quasfity of A t not be cask roust readers who are Go be reggiw the public st e f at Wheat ca r ON there ** • 'dick it is t subject, that 1 set tield4u. rue. Shotid Ihe(rowset 1 Die own oats. • Ipy of antler tween Kir la. the Wm l if int Knight h efasal wade neestigatie e feelings tai breast • It hit t is expreuel it he has exp.. sone passer to day, pm question, two is interne* Bristol h termini the lefty' vocant" then, as if ia id will he pro nd out of At oretry be Use ionthwaric, de matted elate inion apse it 7 kh we dirald .6 noterk fir • , Radicals, wh on sewe a gem g glerims halo ere die to thik nd reinvest! PP 11114 " 1 4 he V ail ! Ivo t , to of be &mom woe& esti oil the proper sew of to a eorrehy mintry at large, out the beech are told, so in the teskiw rr by their rt. despotism; lel persons are lie dismissal of scion be ha •nsand rla. 'Jo vestegotioo* have an oppet fitting isforstr , are facts white by undentesit fortune, hist.. • mitigation of le is placed fir e country owe we trait, kw! •tractore. • ce i tw lsis i al Il set au X wateco be ne h tacr i t e rbhweveo f f e elle er s. seriou y Ids de which Irma rviee, was re' sem 9.1 mission *tie aegaeaea .1* I that Joe* At' I shortly Mei rived bent frN the newsreel desvoes at Car • gi are very Met ri amongst tel mis of eel S i ' whenever terf leery thief wee a ifel ler e l at sew eel. ll*l to ill 7 I' • 41 • -771111