The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1826-04-28 00:00:00

m u round with the mashine. In 1824 the Chancellor of the Wigh t: - en l er had ascribed the prosperity which prevailed to the wis. alien the prosperity WAS no not SO apparent, -.ltho iarlioment ; dwindled into ,the palpable, the reverie ought ::%;'-inf(ergr'etl. There were three ease!, of finance opera. proved the manner in which the House and Mule , which treated. In the year 11119. Mr. Vansittart roomed t ic sere .;,,king fund, when the eyes of Members were opened new to the errors of that introduced by Mr. Pitt, he.c h t e he ti r m p t i t n : n P l e y i n l a• that it had been only a sham sinking toad • al Vansittart. however, gave a statement of a new and ; fund whereby it was manifest the former had been oil • • r 1 el „ ei nng ee a c o mp lete wee or years. The second operation K . A nted theresolutions of 11l I. and Mr. Vanaittuot, who has since another riser.. has been defended as not having founded 41::tlieont— w a tiouerl the principle. The absolution of that ;financier in such lac. from the error wiActi. he had committed. was another ' , road • loin of the 'loose. 1 he third objectionable oneration wan that contriesere known by the appellation of the dead weight. measure width hent them and the country was " the dead. •, : o n o nn s,,ed on tie ?Ph of April. 11122. without a division. N,,,:nhstarding appearance of unanimity. however, people acre began to see the nature of that precious Measure. The ;;.3.len-0,:.r. for Winehester. ( Mr. Pallier). the lion. Member f r Taunton :ring). with Mr. home and three or font other came down and divided the House. But the divisions " T . ! n o rem credit to the lion. (louse. On one division there vas o nly 25 against the measure, division only rind on the last • . witu:d any one believe that the measure which, in 11122, lied beta (woried by the small numbers which he had just At-tied, was t ti, wow mea sure which the never-to-be-ennuih.quoted 'secretary f, • . (rev . Iffairk declared, only a few nights ago , to be so ah r stir that he could never understand it? (Hear, and laughter.) Heine. flohhouse) heard the Right lion. Gentleman (Mr. Can pi7o make the declaration himself. Surh was the manner in which t it Anse • ' • ril measure, which weighed down the industry of the r i n•rr. had passed. We ought to endeavour then, if possible, to ~ tat for such stranee anomalies; rind there was but one means e Joing so, and (hitt was by admitting that the wisdom of Praha -1: was neither more nor less than the folly of the Minister of the It did Pot sinrify ear farthing who the Minister was, or rlt were his earth: s. From something like a feeling of rag. ...n u n ) , an d g enerosity, ind..ed„ it seemed that the most incapable n inter was preferred, and it was reckoned that the more stupid i.e was the better. It might he said of the Treasury supportets— " Of whatsoe'a descent their Godship be, Stock, stone, or other homely pedigree; I n d e tence his servants are as bold, As it he hail been hots of beaten gold." Artl so 01 , v were (pi iic Rs hold ; and though their God was not of beaten pt lie they benefit eti quite as much as if he Was. He now came to the consideration of another branch of the guru t i„ u _ih u t concerning military men holding seats ; and he thought it cntilil riot be degied that they felt a great repugnance to vote a` sinst 11 inistere on certain questions, in apprehension of the con e •nences. 11, would rot enter into the case of his Honourable and in:::ant Friend (Sit R. ‘Vilson), nor to others which were familiar bum ; hit smithd welch experience against insertion. It was so:d that the Duke of York was impartial ; and so he was, to a .rain theme : lint wits it not notorious that when military men e,re to to vote upon certain questions, their reply was, 1 e m,'t vote on that question; you know I ern in the army." Itt etna questions they were as staunch as other Honourable Gen tie,u,n, a nd were to be found as uniformly in the ranks of the Op t niti : but there did prevail amongst them something like an arml . -neion that they might be marked, and the existence of such a fee! it supported the proposition that, rateris par Pts, they ointiti ant to hare a seat in that House. There were no less titan persons having nhices tinder Government, or being in liniotele connected with it, that had votes in that House. Ile had riaer a^ analysis of the nixioriiies on fourteen great questions, and it tint:eared that those mitiorities were made up wholly, or in a reat par.. from the eighty-nitre persona who were placemen, or e'e intimately connected wilt (internment. lie had also made ane;;lrr analysis which was more curious—an analysis of the man ter in which llonotirahlti 3lembers had voted on thirty-six great cuestiors ; nn these thirty-six questions it appeared that, of the 31embers for the forty counties of England, where the mule of election was popular, twenty-five Members voted for Cie Ministry, seventy-four against them. and ten some timrs one way and sometimes another. Of the Members for Araks, where the nude of tlrction was not sn popular, 13 voted for Mi nisters, 9 against theni. and one occasionally one way and some times the other. Of the Members of cities and boroughs which were open, it super ed that 57 had voted for Ministers and 1117 azainst them. Rut lie now came to those Members who had dc cidc.l all those great questions—to those who were returned by the Ineinince of individuals. of' whom it appeared that 1.11 voted for the Ministrr and only 12 against them ; 3 of this class of Mem bers anted sometimes for and sometimes against Government. and 2 1 ; Metnhers not at all. The Univer.ity Members were uniformly fn-o voting with the Ministers. (Ilear, hear.) As to Sentland ail I , e: tad—of the Members for the Counties and Royal Burghs nf sitland, 25 were Mond to have voted for Ministers and I 1 w.iPest than. Of the Comity 3lemlient for Ireland, 24 voted for ant 14 ag.inst ; and of the Members for borough% in that 21 voted for and (tole 7 against Ministers. He eve tar enough to show that on all great questions the place r :a toted for Government. and that the close boroughs returned r! , e nlee. men. It was not necessary to enter into a detail of the ST'S •n govern the House. and, by that, the country. Every i.td.e?r.dent nuts, shrink even from the contemplation of those rrns--arts of which Mr. Pitt, in youthful and uncorrupted day, had s.id. that they rendered it impossible for any Minister to be nn honest man. These were the arts which that Statesman's more eign:tied and consistent tallier scorned to be familiar with, and loActi to the Treasury only at a distance. A poet, who was too teach disposed to be melancholy, and who was therefore charged with being misanthropical. had said, " God hides in hideous night the human heart," and he believed that much of what was hidden tithe world in general, (tithe vices and infirmities of their species, was known to the Minister. What Minister was it that had said, it Was well so few arrived at the highest offices of the State, because so few were acquainted with the vices of mankind ? That sentiment Ind been expressed by Walpole himself, a Prime Minister of Eng find. In his (Mr. Hobhouse st boyhood, he remembered to have hard that expression commented upon by a Right lion. Gent, the priacinal cause of whose fall from power was his refusal to garble erections. and secure Parliament. sons to make it exclusively his own. That Sinister, who, if the expression might be used, was sacred to ridicule, because he refused to contaminate his fingers with a bribe, concurred with Walpole. And though the corrup tion of the present day might he done in a more correct manner than in the days of ‘1 alpolc, the practice of corruption was quite es extrusive. Ile called upon the Secrctaries of the Treasury to done the assertion. Was it not an admitted fact, that there was Do otter mode of keeping together that phalanx which supported Government on recta- question, but the influence of favour' either granted or p-orrisial. It was perfectly notorious the Honour able Menibers, by their votes in that House, gave a receipt in hill for the favours granted to themselves or their re latives. This was not the course which ought to he pursued I.y a high.minilid ge-try, living under a free form of Government. la vain the R•glit Hon. Secretary for Foreign Atliiirs (Sr. Can ning) es,id that he scorned a majority of plaremen. lie knew f u ll well that he must follow the steps of his predecessors. In vain aniiN his eenins, his experience, and that eloquence which never fa ;to ebraptitre his atttlience, he brought into operation to stem the te-rent. These would weigh but as a feather in the sc ale if he t',pe uled or them alone. The Right lion. t;entleman would fall he had before fallen, if he was stripped of his Parlia ine::tary power, or if that power was reduced, and he sought to charm by the words of naked wisdom. (Hear, hear.) Ile wished to spin: one feet. which perhaps was not generally known, and in wh.rii tit! force of Parliamentary influence was exemplified in the preen of the Right lion. Gentleman himself. The Right lion. Gentl •ntrn had brought a proposition before the Home on the 34 Jure. 1:::12, connected with the Corn Importation Bill, He had r!o7ose.l wn:tt was so well known as the grinding clause. That em-.. was opposed, for the country ntembers. by the mouth of that nes t sonorous organ (a laugh). the Hon. Member for Somerset sh:re (nir T. Lethbridge). Ministers supported the proposition, te , wever, and apon coming to a division the numbers were, for griedire tha country 149. for not putting the country into a I Thif's• 41. On the 10th June the claim was brought up, when 0:0 31srepois of bondonthery, then the manager. rose, and, with nst any argument, or . entering at all into the Ties hon. stated that he had altered his mind, end recommend ed the Right honourable Gentleman not to push his threat, bit to defer it until it could be introduced as a separate The Right Honourable Gentleman refused to coop to any compromise, and resolved to try his strength ; and what was the result? Upon a division there appeared for the clause, ayes 21; and lei by the sittlilen alteration in the mind of the Ministerial lariat of that day, there appeared against the clause 116; but the iltiglit lion. Gentleman Mid only get 21 to vote with him. (Hear, bear.) Ile (Mr. llohhouse) was one of those who had the horourof gint.g out with the Right llonourable (+cattleman. They had whit was formerly called a hackney-coach majority, and went out cheek. by.jowl. , Laughter.) Stich was the Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Secretary Canning's) fate, and such it would again he if he dropped frown his present station ; or. more hapless, he would find that his thunders, instead of being he left in welcomed in the heaven of power, would the regions of disaster. (hear, hear.) He knew that much tbat was disgusting anti unpleasant was inseparable from the shut lion of Ministers, in conseqoence of the mean traffic they were compelled to drive; but he could not conceive any thing more noble than the station of a Cabi ne t Mi n i ster i n a re f or med Parliament. . nseious of the excellence of his own motives, he MUM be certain - to n t . 0 4 t ti :l i ngthe•upport of the H arm over which he was thepresiding— !!* destinies of an empire which challenged the admin • lion of the world. With what pride could such a Minister enforce • IlleaMres of generous policy ! With what confidence might be ap : peal to the representatives of the people ! Their support would be ..the reward of bit virtue, and during his life he mig.tt hope to enjoy those honours usually bestowed on the absent or the dead. When the page of history was unfolded, his name would be recorded in the brightest passage. These perhaps would be looked upon as the reveries of a student rather than as the sober views of a practical politician. Ile might hope, however, that there was a time when this mat desideratum would be effected. Eng land might yet havea Awe Parliament. At all events he had the satisfaction of knowitiktliit reform was gaining ground. He was not saying at what particular period this great event was likely to occur. hu: he had a right to Ray that the question was gaining ground in public opinion. Whatever class was distresuied fled to it form. The agricultural and manufacturing interests, in Pima, tied to title when the malignity of the system rendered their own eases dangerous. In making this observation it was right he should add, that he did not wish to have Parliamentary Reform brought show h t unfair means, lie had alrealy seen much effected in the way of alarm, and it was net to be r oridcred at if he sipectod more. There was a reform in our system of criminal jurisprudence. In trodueed by the Right lion. Secretary (Mr. Peel). He had seen the antiquated absurdities with which our commercial policy was encircled withdrawn by another Right Honourable Gentleman ( Mr. liuskisson) ; and last, though not least, the Right Honourable Gentleman at the head of the department for Foreign Affairs, had burst the hands which bound down this country to support the despots of the Continent (cheers), and for a time put this country in opposition to the liberty of man. kind. The idlest dreamers could not have conceived any reforms more important than those; but he did not despair of a still greater reform. It was, perhaps, ton much to expect that Perlis. meta should reform Itself. History afforded no instances of bodies voluntarily resigning power. The instances of individuals who had made such a sacrifice were indeed rare. The Dioclesians and Charleses were rather wearied than satiated. Larson non saticii. History afforded but one instance of a Washington ; but when he beheld the Grosvenors, the Russells, the C,avendishes, and other noble families in the rank's of reform, it vas not too much to suppose that the Right lion. Gents. opposite might one day afford their support to the measure, and promote that great reform which would prevent a recurrence of that delusive system of representa tion which at present prevailed. The lion. Gentleman concluded by apologiaing for trespassing so long on the attention of the House, and sat down amidst loud cheers from the Opposition benches. _ _ Lord L:GOWF:R next addressed the House, but was for some time inaudible in the gallery. We understood the Noble Lord to say that he should feel greater reluctance in opposing the motion, Whim Noble Friend (Lord J. Russell) could assure him that at subsequent stages he would not meet with interference from others. There could be little doubt that in the plan of retorm he would meet with unhidden 114%ociattm The ;perch of the Honourable Member for iVestminster (Mr. litthhoute) made that evidenL Could the Noble Lord assure the !louse that when reform was • • • commenced their course would not be accelerated, and that they would not deviate from the straight path laid down ? Upon the broid ground of expediency, he opposed the insertion of this wedge into the Constitution. In spite of all the evils alluded to, he looked up to the system under which he lived with something more than submission—with warm approbation. (!fear, hear.) When he looked to the page of history, he saw that our system of Government was not to be valued more for the good it effected than for the evils which it preven:ed. The system of other countries was too often to drive down the nutritive juices which arose in society : the system of England was to encourage all useful improvements, and in this no other land could compare with it. It was true there was no immediate con nexion between the manufacturers of Manchester, or the fleets that crowded the ports of London and Liverpool, and the borough of Old Sarum rind Gatton, but experience hal demonstrated that the existence of Iltwoughs was not inconsistent with national prosperity. It was argued that the extension of education throughout the coon. try required a co-extension of improvement in the representation of that House ; but it wits forgotten that the country possessed securities now which did not exist in former times. There wcs the power of the Press—that mighty engine, in reference to which it had been said that we ought now to proceed to Reform, because our every defect was exposed, ant? very lineament laid bare to the view. Butt did not this publicity t away the necessity of any additional security ? Did not that engine; which worked with a power which nothing but its own vices could subdue—that engine which, as Gibbon said of the Roman Empire. left no place for refuge to those who pro. yoked its animosity—did not this power, he asked, produce ample security ? If this country was as destitute as it once was, there would be greater oecmsity for adhering rigidly to the fonts of our Constitution. When revolution was more ready than complaint, and rebellion came instead of remonstrance—when, to use the words of a celebrated modern writer, " Clamours had edges, and the sword was more'powerful than the pen," it was necessary that Members should be more the local agents of those who sent them there than they were at present. Bat if time had ptoduced corrup tions, it had also produced improvements. Time was itself agreat reformer, and to it might be applied the passage of the poet, ending with—t. Time adds more beautied than he takes away .' (Cheers.) Mr. R. MARTIN next addressed the House. but was inaudible for several minutes. He said that as we were on the eve of a ge neral election, he claimed the patience of the House whilst he ad dressd a few observations. Ile was assailed by a system of organ ised treachery in the county which lie represented (laughter, and symptoms of impatience), but he would not attribute what he elieuld suffer to the votes he had given. The lion. Gentleman here entered into a review of his parliamentary conduct, which he defended as having been at least sincere and consistent. Let those who so strongly advocated Parliamentary Reform begin by effecting the reformation of their own boroughs , before they called upon this House to adopt it as a general measure throughout the empire ; and then it would be seen how such things worked, which would serve as a guide to Parliament, and enable them better to form a judgment what to do with the general question. ( Hear, hear.) Ile had, himself heard the late Right Honourable George Ponsonby declare in the House of Commons, that the man who would touch the Cunstitution, by attempting at a Reform, would be s mischievous politician. Ile had on elate occasion voted In favour of separating the office of Treasurer of the Navy from that of the President of the Board of Control. Whether this was hgreeable to the feelings of that corrupt Corporation which had lately warred against him he knew not ; but this he would declare, that whether lie should fall under the conspiracy that existed against hum, at the head of which was one who was indebted to him (Mr. It. Martin) for his seat in that Howie (loud cries of " Hear, hear"), or whether lie should ride triumphantly over them, he should feel that the vote he gave on that question was perfectly jog and prom. General PALMER said he had no intention or troubling the. House with a speech upon the question; but considering the notice which had been token of him by the Honourable Member for Oxford, and other observations lately mode upon the represen. union of the city of Bath, he was desirous of saying a few words on the part of his constituects anti himself. As a friend to Reform, although the representative of a close borough, he had stood in the same predicament as the lion. Member for Caine, in his late attempt to amend the representation of the city of Edinburgh. But whatever might be thought of his conduct, he had voted with a sincere desire to carry the question, anti as he had done by Edin burgh he would have done by Bath, has her case been brought for ward. How far in this he had consulted the feelings of his consti tuents would be soon for them to determine; but considering the personal attack lately made, lie would take the liberty of observing that the CO/ of Bath had given the only example of a close borotigh alike independent of the Crown, the Administration, and the Aristocracy of the country ; and of which, as one of its Mem bers, he could declare he had not a single vote at hit command, hut was indebted fur his seat solely to the free will of the electors. It might be true that the greater part belonged to the medical pro. femion ; but if Hon. Menthes would " throw physic to the dogs." he hoped, at least, they w •ald give his constituents credit for their conduct, in not availing themselves of their unconstitutional power to promote their private interests. The lion. W. LAMB rose, but, in consequence of the noise in the House alai the low tone in which the Honourable Gent] occasionally spoke, we could not catch the purport of many observations. We understood him to say that as this quest' , ben brought forward at so late a period of the Session and of the present Parliament, it was evidently manifest it could not be at all practicable for the House :o give it that full consideration which the magnitude of the subject involved in it required. It was much die fashion for those Honourable Gentlemen who advocated Reform to speak in terms of condemnation of the existing system, and to point out every defect that belonged to it. He did not mean to con. tend that the Government or the Constitution were from errors; there could be no such thing as a Government that was in every par. Ocular unassailable; but it was not enough to say that errors did exist ; it was necessary that those who complained of the system should prove that those errors would not be committed if that which they proposed and advocated were to he established. (Hear, hear). The Hon. Gent. then noticed the arguments • hat had been made use of by the Honourable Member for Westminster, respecting the Sinking Fund, which was first introduced by Mr. Pitt, and ob served, that when that eminent Statesman brought it forward, it was carried without a single dissentient voice. It was true the plan that was subsequently proposed by Mr. Vansittut was not so una nimously supported ; but he would ask whether the resolution that was moved by that Right Hon. Gentleman, absurdly or wisely, was so very much behind the general intelligence of the people at the present moment? (Hear, hear, hear, from the Ministerial benches.) With respect to the analysis which the Noble Lord (John Ruasell) had given of the votes in this House, on various occasions, by the supporters of Ministers, one great and material part of the argument had been omitted, which was, whether those votes were wrongly er rightly given, and whether the decisions that were consequent upon them were or not for the advantage of the country. Ile believed they were in many instances perfectly right, and did not think the arguments of the Noble Lord at alleonclusive. But the great objection which lie had to the measure of parlia mentary reform was, that it was not in the power of human fore- sight to see shat benefits would be derived from It. It could not be known whether the evils which it was proposed to remedy would not as often occur, anti that even in a more aggravated manner than they did under the present system ; nor whether the Wean mere predicted from its adoption would as frequently arise. It in short did not admit of human foresight to perceive whether It might not terminate in a democracy. or of sonic other form of ' Government essentially different from that of a limited monarchy. Although he had the greatest respect for his Noble Friend (Lord 3. Russell), and although this question had been brought forward by him upon better grounds and sounder principles than by any man, be he who lie might (hear, hear), that had ever introduced the sub ject before him, yet he (Mr. W. Lamb) could not agree with the' Noble Lord in adopting a course so very doubtful in its results, and so extremely unlikely to attain the object that was sought to be effected by it. (Hear, hear.) The Noble Lord (Glenorchy) who spoke from the bench behind him had said that he did not want democracy ; and the lion. Gentleman ( Mr. Hobhnuse) had declared that he did not want revolution. But it happened that we did not always want what we got, nor did we get what we wanted. The question was, what would the measures of the House produce? It was his opinion that the power of the people of this country was incteasing. lie begged to be understood most decidedly, that he would do nothing to diminish that power, nor at the same time would he do any thing in order to increase it. As to the argument of intimidation, he would say, that if there was any such thing as intimidation, it was not on the put of Government, but of the people. (Hear, hear.) Why, the motion which at this very ma meat they were discussing, what was it made for but for intimida tion? (Loud cheers from the Ministerial Benches.) Yes, it was preparatory to a dissolution of Parliament, and was for the sole p ur pose of creating a topic for attacking Government on the host. inv. (Hear, hear, hear.) Danger was not necessarily all on the side of Government. (Hear, hear.) Neither was corruption all o n the side of Government. (Hear, hear.) The Hon. Member for Westminster (Mr. llobhouse) ha d talked much u to the mo. THE BRITISH PRESS. fives which had an influence on the minds of those who supported the measures of his Majesty's Ministers. The Hon. Member could only form his judgment by the nature of the votes that such Members gave. it being impossible that he could know their mss. tires. Now, if that Honourable Gentleman had a right to form a judgment of motives, he ( Mr. %V. Lamb) had also • right to do so: end he would say, that in the course of his Parliamentary eauerience he had seen many. massy, many votes made in abet House in concession to the feelings of the penile, either for the sake of deprecating hostility (bear, hear), for the sake of avoiding • contest, or for the sake of saving ex pense, which were (he in his conscience believed) totally contrary to she opinions of those who gave them. (Hear, hear.) Them lie con sidered to be votes of as scandalous and corrupt a nature as any that were ever given in support of the Crown or of the Ministers. (Hear. hear.) He did not prefer • despotic to a democratic Go. vemment—quite the contrary ; hut he did say, that the Sultan of Constantinople. the Schah of Persia, the Dey of Algiers, acted under a greater responsibility than the leaders of a democratic as. senility. (Hear, hear. hear, from the Opposition hrnchea.) With regard, however, to the measure now before the liouse, he would say that it was a matter exceedingly . diflicult. aril one upon which it Was almost impossible to form a judgment. It was in itself so uncertain that it was quite unsafe to go upon as a ground for any legislative measure. He should therefore strongly urge the House not to vote for it. its uncertainty was so great, that it was impos sible they could see their w.y in it; but, as fee as they had that. power, he believed the effects of it were likely to be most per nicious. (ilm, hear.) After the Hon. Gentleman sat down, a pause entitled. but no Member presenting himself to the House, the question was loudly called for. Lord JOHN RUSSELL then rose to reply. His Lordship ad verted to the different arguments that had been urged against his motion, and contended that there had not been anything advanced which went at all to disprove the necessity of the measure he had mooned. Strangers were then ordered to withdrali, and the House divided. The numbers were— For the motion 123 I Amino it 24 t Majority 124. THAMES IVATERM EN. On our return to the gallery we foundUllr. Alderman WOOD on his legs, moving for leave to bring in 'a Bill for the regulation of the watermen on the river Thames. from Gravesend to Windsor ; his sole object, he said, was to remove the restrictions which pre vented watermen from plying on Stindays He also wishe I to intro duce a claim, to oblige those who hitt% out boats to employ an experierred waterman on board. Air. PEEL, concurred in the general objects of the Bill ; but there were some clauses in in_ which he thituglit drained to be looked at with attention. 11'hen the Worthy Alderman wished to allow ',mermen the liberty of plying on Sundays. he (Mr. Peel Was quite ready to agree with him. The scruples which prevented them were too severe : but he could not give hie ascent to other clauses, which interfered with the important. interests of other parties. He advised the postponement of the Bill for another year. Mr. M. A. TAYLOR advocated the general objects of the Bill, and expressed his hope that the Worthy Alderman would give up the latter part of it. Mr. Secretary PEEL was not sure that his Hon. Friend had understood him. With that part of the Bill which went to re move the restrictions from the Watermen he quite agteell ; hut the Worthy Alderman proposed another clause, to prevent hired boats from being navigated withouout a waterman, to which lie could not give his assent. Sir J. SERRIC.IIIT and Sir J. IVgovTE3LEY supported the Bill. Mr. ELLICE hoped that the Right Hon. Gentleman would re lieve the otpression of the watermen, many of whom were lying in Coltlbath-fields prison, from inability to pay the tines fur plying on Sunday. Mr. G. LAMB supported the Bill. Mr. Alderman WOOD declared his readinees to alter the Bill so as to meet the views of the Right lion. Gentleman. Leave was then given. 111 ND EMEA NORS. Mr. Secretary PEEL said lie had intimated his intention to post pone his Bill to consolidate the laws of larceny, in order that he might beable so to enlarge its provisions as to include the mischievous destruction of property. But a clause had been passed last Ses sion. relating to stealing in gardens and orchards, which he would not leave in its present state. By that clause the offence of stealing fruit in an orchard was made felony, and in terms so compre hensive as to include the offence of the school-boy. So harsh an enactment did not protect property ; on the contrary, people chose rather to connive at the offence than to bring the offender to punish ment. It appeared to him that a law ought to be made to give a summary conviction, and to enable the Magistrate to punish by fine or imprisonment, at his discretion. Such a law would afford protection to property, if the House would agree to pass a short Bill. Although he was unwilling to make a separate law while contemplating a general Statute, he was disposed to bring in a Bill to amend the law relating to stealing in orchards. Mr. SYKES thought a naw Act unnecessary. Before the offence had been made felony it was pirnieheble as a malicious trespass, in the way which the Right lion. Gentleman thought advisable. Mr. Secretary PEEL thought the Malicious Trespass Act in. sufficient ; it did not punish the receiver of the goods ; it was in tended merely to protect property from intrusion, and imposed no penalty beyond the damage done. Leave was then given. On the motion of Mr. Secretary PEEL, the second reading of the Alien Registration Act was fixed for alonday next. CRIMINAL CODE. Mr. Secretary PAL moved to postpone till tomorrow the reading of the Criminal Law Bill. He wished to make some alterations, et the suggestion of his Hon. i.nd Learned Friend the Member for Peterborough. The alteration did not appear to him necessary, but lie wished not to provoke disputation on a subject which ouubt to meet with general concurrence. Mr. DENNIAN thought that the clause in the ormnt Bill which required the indictment to follow the words of . the Act was very objectionable. Mr. SCARLETT said he believed no lawyer reqnlred to be informed that a reasonable affinity to the context of a Statute was sufficient to support an indictment. . Postponed till tn.trofrow, IRISH CHURCH RATES' BILL. On the motion of N. the Report on this Bill was brought up. and the amendments agreed to; and the Bill was then read a second time. Mr. GRATTAN then moved ■ clause to enable vestries to assess die parishes for the relief of the aged and infirm. Mr. J. SMITH deprecated the adoption of a system which would afford only a temporary relief, and might lead to the introduction of poor laws. Nothing lied been done, and nothing had been at tempted to be done, by Government for the relief of the poor Irish ; the Commissioners of Inquiry had confined themselves to a few liAsi.and a few recommendations on the state of the Irish peasant.. rWhen the influx of Irish labourers continued so much to reduce the wages of labour in this country, the Gus ernment was called on, in order to protect the working classes here, to mitigate the dis tresses of the Irish poor. Mr. GOULBUBN objected to the motion, on the simple grounds that even it it were right to introduce the Poor Laws into Ireland, it was not right to intnaluce them obliquely in a clause of five lines. They ought, previous to discussion, to be solely and singly the object of discussion. The Honourable Gentleman should look to the conduct of the Irish Government when distress pre- Tailed in that country, and to the various useful works which they had promoted, as well as to the improvement in the general ad. ministration of the laws which affected the poor, and then it would be seen how much Government had dcne for the country. Whenever the subject of the Poor Laws should come substantially and separately before the House, he would not shrink tiom de. livering his opinions, but until they were introduced in some such way, he could not enter upon the discussion of them. Mr. V. FITZGERALD opposed the clause. Mr. MONCK thought some provision ought to be made for the poor of Ireland, and he wished to remind the House that such a measure was new to that country. By the 11th and 12th of his late Majesty a compulsory ptovision was made for the poor of Ire. land. He thought the clause before the House moat mild in its provisions, as it left the assessment to those who had to pay, and who must be the beat judges of its necessity. Mr. DAWSON oppaAed the clause, which was then negatived, and the Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be read a third time this day (Friday.) Mr. 1111G(IDElsi brought up the Report of the Charing-curls Improvement Bill, which was ordered to be engrossed, and read a third time this day (Friday). Mr. TENNYSON moved the third reading of the Spring Guns Bill. Mr. CALVERT wished to have one of the clauses modified. Sir G. CH ET W YND opposed the Bill; he thought the pre sent state of the law would answer better. Mr. It. COLBORNE opposed the Bill. Mr. Secretary PEEL said he was not generally unfavourable to the Bill. It was quite necessary that protection should be afforded to persons and children, who, from not being able to read the notice of spring-guns being set, might become victims on that account. At the same time he thought the clause which imposed the penalty of manslaughter was too severe, Inasmuch as it affixed the punish. ment of death to a crime—that of affixing a spring-gun which went off and did bodily harm—to an imprisonment of three months. He must also say that the Bill ;could have been more accep'able to him if it had only gone to spring-guns placed for the protection of game. Mr. W. HORTON said he would vote for the Bill if it was limited for the period of one year, as it was intended to introduce an Act next Session to legalise the sale of game, which, if carried. would render the Bill under consideration unnecessary. Mr. G. LAMB did not see the validity of the objections which had been taken to the Bill; for himself he would say, that it had his most hearty concurrence. The only objection that he could pos sibly imagine to it was, that it would prevent the shooting of some persona by the guns they themselves had placed to shoot others. Mr. GOHLBURN said that he should hereafter propose en amendment, that instead of " in any , place whatsoever ," the words " in woods, grounds, and open fields' should be introduced. Mr. 7. SMITH supported the Bill. Mr. C. W. WYNN said he should not oppose the third reed ing, if his Right Hon. Friend (Mr. Goulburn) proposed his amend ment in the subsequent stage. After a few words from Captain Gowpow, Mr. Evawe. and Mr. J. P. (Isairr, the plltrida, cleared foe • division, 'ben there appeared, For the third reading - 24 Against it . 26 Maprity against the third reading 1 The Bill was consequently Inst. The other Chiles of the Day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned at TWO O'CLOCI. 1 • 'OCRS YESTERDAY. PRICES OF BRITISH Bank Stock 200 201 $ per Cent. Bed. 784 11 per Cent. Con+. 793 79 3 Ditto Acct. 704 4 79 $4 per Cent. $4 3i per Cent. Red. 831 New 4 per Cent. 03 944 93 Long Ann. 19 3-13 3-16 PRICKS OF FOREIGN •raalUan Hon& 55 9 Colombian Bond% 421 Ditto Bonds (1024) 40/ 40 1 40 1 MO° Acct. 192 401 40 1 402 I 40 . . df Danish Ronde 11325) 56. t 6 5a French Renter 5 per Cent. P6f. 50c. 97f. Exchange 25f. Or. Csc. India Stock 7.2% 2221 India Bondi tl 7 pm South Sea Stock 7hi South Sea New Annuities 781 Ex. Bulls 100 W. 10 11 pm Ditto Aga 10 II pm Ditto Small 10 11 pm Lottery Tickets 211. Its. STOCKS YESTERDAY. French RAO% 3 per Cent. GU. 52c. Exchange 25f. Or. Mexican Bond. 55 Ditto Bonds (1825) 63* 4* 4 I I 5 4 D itt o * Acct. fifil 44 *I a 4 Peruvian Bonds B) 22* Itu•Nian Honda 77 64 Ditto Acct. id} Spanish Bond* 8 * PRICES OF SHARES YESTERDAY. Share. Paid. €lOO 50 27a dls 100 30 7/ die 400 100 95 die 404) 80 pm 40 20 4 di. ■INKS. A wytn-Mexlcan Itritlah Iron Real del Monte Ditci New..... . United Mexican ASSURANCIi COMPANIgI. 1; dis 100 10 110 L Ijdla All ance Brltigh and Foreign .. Ditto Marine.. GA9 I.IOIIT ANII COILS COMPANIZI. Provincial P0rtab1e....... ............. 100 0 5 dill General Steam Nav MI SC /. LLANIC 0 CS. .. .. 100 10 5} di' Wit Mritigilt ROrt%Fs.> THWRY-LANE THEATRE. nig Evening, FRIDAY, A FrII 28, will be performed the Historical Player WILLIAM TELL. William Tell, Mr. Tlacready ; Albert, Mi., Vincent; Mlcbael, Mr. Witnark: 'Emma, Mr.. Bonn. After which the Divertirement of TIW. CAMP. • Principal Dancers, Mr. Noide and Mica Barnett, To mini:hide with the Comedy of TIIK PANEL. La:m.111o, Mr. J. RusAell ; Mnskatn, air.• Harley ; Donna Aurora, Mns. Vt:e4; Hentrice, 11.1 las Kelly.. COVENT-GA R DEN TII EATRE. Tws Evening, FRIDAY, April 28. will be performed the Grand Romantic and Fairy Opern of ORF.RON; or. TM: EI.F.KING•Y OATH. The principal Characters by Messrs. Brahmin, Cooper, Duruset, C. Mind, J. boac-i, and Raker; Niles Paton, 11. Caweet Madame Vie trio, Mr*. Vining, and Mrs. Davenport. To canciiide with the Farce of • RAISING THE WIND. ......... ...... Jemmy Mr. Jones ; Plainway, Mr. Blanchard; Palnwnied, Mr. Meadows ; Sam, Mr. Evans. Laurelia Durable, Mrs. Davenport ; Peggy, Miss 140,11. SADLER'S WELLS. Thls firvninfr, FRIDAY, April :! , t, will be petformed the Pantomime of HUT AND COLD; or, HARLEQUIN SNOW-BALL. Clown, 31r. J. S. Grimaldi. After whir h the celebrated Barletta of SIR f.3I'NCELOT GREAVES ; Or, THE HI 7 MOUIts OF TIMOTHY CRABSHAW. Timothy Crab haw, Mr. William+. To which will be added the Comic Barletta of ALL HER OWN WAY. Henry, Mr. Fogtr ; : Fr;, Mrs. Fitzwilllam. To conclude with the Loe'el Sketch of CIIIINEELAH ; Or, THE DEATH OF THE ELEPHANT AT EXETER 'CHANGE, The BRITIIM PRZS3 commEneed publishing yesterday morning at five o'c'lnck. LONDON, FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1824. According to the French Papers received last night, a singular fact was mentioned by M. B. CONSTANT, in the discussion on the budget of 1821, in the Chamber of De puties, on Monday. The Commission on the budget of 1823 had divided equally on the question whether they should take the accounts of the expenses in Spain into consideration ; but one of the Members, who was absent at that division, declared on a former debate that they had before unanimously decided that they should not take these accounts; so that the equality of the division, according to M. CONSTANT, was merely an expedient adopted to supply an excuse for their omitting this part of their duties. The following are extracts: — [From the lifoniteur of Tuesday, April 251 (Official Part.) DEPARTMENT OF ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. PARIS, Arrtm24. The Act subscribed on the 3i April by the Cardinals, Arch. bishops, and Bishops, who were then at Paris, ?calves succes sively the assent of the remainder of the French Prelates. The adherence of thirty Prelates have already been received; among whom are the Cardinal de Clermont-Tonnerre, Archbishop of Toulouse ; the Cardinal de Croi, Archbishop of Rouen; the Arch bishops of Avignon and of Ally. The Atatrian Obvrter of the 16th of April has news from Constantinople of the 28th March, which state that Mr. S. Canning had on the 25th an audience of the Grand Vizier, with the accus tomed ceremonies. He received, as well as his suite, the pelisses usually given. The news of the taking of Al issolonghi was still expected. The piratical chief, Vasso Braicowich, had increased his band with nearly 2000 fugitive Albanians, or 31oreots. From Zea, whence he spread terror through the neighbouring islands, he was preparing to take possession of Ipsara, and even to attempt Akcenrde main on Scio. Information having been received of his plan, rethforcements had been asked for from the Asiatic coast. The Obserwr adds, that the Commanders of the French and Austrian Naval force are frequently obliged to employ force, effec tually to protect the flags of their respective nations against the pirates and the Greek ships of war which exercise piracy. It men tions, among others, an action fought near Syra by the King's schooner, L'Estafette, with two Glick men of war, one of which was dismasted and put to flight.; As these pirates cruise even at the entrance of the Dardanelles, avd the Porte has no naval force to oppose them, besides that which is occupied in the Gulf of Le. pan to, increased exertions are making to equip the new squadron arriving at Constantinople. The same Journal affirms that the disorder praMailing at Smyrna Is not the plague, though its effects areas formidsibk and speedy. The name of the new editor of the OrientieSpectilor is C. d'Andre. [From the Courrier Francais.] PArtis, Arait. 24. M. Ouvrard has published a protest against the liquidation of the Minister of War, with respect to his contracts, which he thinks as irregular In form as unjust in substance. He claims 16,202,000 francs for the articles furnished by him and regularly proved ; and the Minister declares him debtor for 2,15,1,000 francs—ditference, 18,357,000 francs. It is stated in the Journal of Naples of the 7th April, that a new secret association, similar to that of the Carbonell., has been formed in that capital, under the name.of the White Pilgrims. The police having discovered this association, and seized some symbolical rings, some mystical writings, and other signs, arrested 13 individuals, who were brought before a military commission. Two of these individuals, one of whom was a Lieutenant, have been condemned to death as heads of the association, three to 24 years' imprisonment ; two to 19 years' imprisonment; two others have been acquitted, as well as two females, who were accused of manu facturing the devices. The King has granted commutations of punishment to all the condemned. FnExcst FUNDS.—PARIS, APRIL 25.—Five per Cents. 96f. 90e. ; Three per Cents. 651. Sc.; Bank Stock. 2015 f. ; Rentes de Naples, 74f. 60c.; Rentes d'Espagne, 6 j ; Royal Spanish Loan. 41 1; Haytian Loan, 765 f. Exchange on London—One Month, 25(. 60c. ; Three Months, 25f. 30c.—Cours Authattipe. We received last nig:at Ilamburgh and Dutch Papers to the 47th int. There is not much of interest in either of them. In an article from Berlin, it is said that reports prevailed there of a conspiracy having been lately disco vered at Warsaw. Three mad fanatics had decided, it is said, by throwing dice, which of them should assassinate an august person, when one of them, tormented by his conscience, threw himself at the feet of the Grand Duke, and confessed the whole. This is only a repetition of an old account. STOCKHOLM, Aram U. Yesterday vre leant, for certain, that the Duke of Wellington re. turns through Germany, in order to communicate in person, to um Courts In alliance with Great Britain, the result of hie lands% which Is certainly calculated to consolidate the peace of Europe. An article dated Trieste, the 11th of April, says, that according to the latest accounts received there from Zane*, dated the llEdt March, Missolonghi still defended Itself with the most detedfainedo bravery. Several sew attacks had been made by Ilnahini Puha, from the 18th to the 24th of Ilsreh, and Ibrahim seemed at length to repose, In order to collect strength for new exertions. Paltrier and nouns harass the Egyptian. in the rear, and their assistance is the last hope of 111lesolonghi. TRIMS, APRIL 13. Ibrahim's fowl, in the resent Wicks en Missolonglii, is stated in' letters from Corfu, of 28th March, at several thousand men. The arrival of Bourn* and Fabrier is confirmed, and it is reported that the Egyptians Ire so weakened that they met wail for fresh min. forcements before they can attempt anything. The 6' reek deer hi not returned from Hydra. The Observer of Trieste (a paper written in the same spirit, sad probably under the same influence as the Austrian Observer) con tains, in its number of 13th April, no news from the theatre of war. (Besidis these accounts, communicated in the Allgerneine Zeitung of 20th April, we understand that accounts were received hers and at Amsterdam yesterday, the 24th April, that Idieselongbi ie not yet taken.) In confirmation of the hope that the standard of the Crescest.does not yet insult that of the Cross on the walls of 'Nlissolcmghi, we have much pleasure in giving publicity to the following communication : " I haVe the pleasure in informing you that a letter has been this day received by a person of high respectability, dated at Trieste 15th April, In which it is stated that intelligence had just reached that place, by the packet which left Cerra on the sth, of li:wahine Paella's having met with a severe defeat on the 24th March by that garrison of A4lholonghi, which made a 'Want sortie ; and It was expected, that it% attempting a retreat, he would fall in with the di , vision of six thousand men commanded by (louses, and the threw thousand regular troops organised and commanded by the French Colonel Fativier, el of whom had been ordered to match to the as. sistance of Mlasolonghi. It is added, that one Podia was WWI,/ and Ibrahim himself wounded. "Should any part of this most cheering intelligence appeal /retch as to merit coniirmstion, it will, nevertheless, prove some facts. relative to which mach doubt and contradictory rumour, have hitherto prevailed—that slissolonghi had not fallen up to the latest advises, and is not in so desperate a condition as the enemies to the sacred cause of justice and religion have industriously representad it to have been in. " I have the honour to be, Sir, ice. " Thursday evening, Aptil 27." EXCHANGER. PETERPHI'IIGII, APRIL 7.-9 13-82. VIENNA, APRIL 12.—Two Months, 10 IX I.t.:train, APRIL 17.—Two Months, 6 20. BERLIN, Aran, 10 —Three Months, 7 0. 3 . A TISTE nnAn, APRIL 2.l—Exchange on London, 40 4 ; Twq Months, 40 L—Dutch Papers, April2o. Last night Lord done Ru ss E LI. brought forward his annual motion for Reform in Parliament, which was couched in a proposition, that the present mode of repre- scnting the people of this country in the House of Com mons was deserving of the most serious consideration of the Legislature. The debate, which was expected to have gone to great length, and in which the most eminent speakers on both sides were expected to have taken a part, went off rather unexpectedly, by Lord JOHN RUSSELCII replying when it appeared to those in the gallery that Mr CANNING was prepared to have addressed the House on the question. A division took place, when the numbers were declared—for the motion, 123; against it, 217; the majority of course being 121, The distress which prevails in Blackbnre and other ma nufacturing districts is deeply to be deplored; but to ima gine that this distress, which arises from the temporary de-. prescion of trade, can be relieved by the destruction of machinery, is a fatal error, and one which the general in crease of knowl e dge among the working-classes would, we iltould have thought, have saved them from falling into. If the profits on any particular branch of manufacture are, from whatever cause, reduced, it is clear that a proportion abie reduction must take place in the rate of wages, and to attempt to raise them, or to keep them at a given level, by destroying the fixed capital of their employers, is the most ruinous injustice. It can hale no other effect than to force such persons either to withdraw their capital altoge ther from the manufacture, or to remove to some other part of the kingdom, where they may carry it on with safety. A vast saving of labour has undoubtedly been effected of late years, by that extensive introduction of machinery, which is the natural result of the encouragement of inventive skill and the advancement of mechanical science. In the present state of our population, in which the market for employment is overstocked, the effect of this must neces sarily be felt prejudicially by the working-classes; and that effect will, of course, be aggravated by whatever collateral causes tend to lessen the demand for hands, or to diminish the price of labour. It is insisted upon, we are aware, by our leading political economists, that inventions in machinery are, under all circumstances, a source of be nefit to the working classes. This point we shall probably examine hereafter, but it is foreign from our present pur pose to enter on its discussion. Our only concern is to entreat the misguided rioters to reflect on the folly, as well as the guilt, of demolishing machinery, the loss of which does not fall upon the proprietors, who, being insured, recover its value from the various assurance-offices; and to hint to them that they are bringing ruin on themselves, While those against whom their attacks are directed are in. damnified beforehand against their mischievous and mis taken resentment. They may, indeed, succeed in driving the wealthier class of capitalists from the country, and diverting into a foreign channel those fends which had hitherto been devoted to the maintenance of industry at home. They may, however, rest assured that capital will continue to be invested in machinery as long as it will re pay such investment with a profit; and they may as well endeavour to turn back the tide of the ocean, by bringing their array of pikes to the beach, as to arm their unprofit able hostilities against the age of Invention, or the spirit of enterprise. CITY,' THURSDAY EVENIXG. The intelligence froth the manufacturing districts very naturally caused a considerable gloom in the City this morning, and Consols declined in the middle of the day to 79, the market continuing beery nearly to the close of business; for the rumours that were pot is circulation were much more alarming, as is always the case, than the facts really are, relative to the tumults in some of the northern provinces, distressing, undoubtedly, as those facts are. A few bargains were done in Consols towards the conclusion of the market at 794, although a gloom was still apparent in it. Other English Securities remained nearly in statu quo. The• Foreign Market was very languid, and Colombian Bonds were as low as 401 io the early part of the day. They afterwards rallied, but ultimately declined to the opening price. Mexican Six per Cents. were 634 4, and Russian Bonds 77 64. The other Stocks remained at yes terday's quotation. A duel was fought on Wednesday se'nnight, at Matral-. green, near Horst?am, between Lewis Gerrard, Eq. and Captain Smith, wb o lch originated in consequence of some dispute at a pigeon match, on the same ground. Its Oho first tire, Mr. Gerrard wu wounded in the side, seriously. 11 • kV