The Sun. — London, England, 1829-11-24 00:00:00

pnpulace was played off' with great effect by the triumvirate of • 'Po *—ilirris, the Engli s h Ambas _ _ sador, afterwards Lord Malmesbury, the Prince of 4 Orange, a stupid man, and the Princess, as much a man as either - of her colleagues in audaciousness, in enterprize, and in the thirst of domination. By these the mobs of the Hague were excited against the members of the States-General; their persons were insulted and endangered in the streets; the sanctuary of their houses were violated; and the Prince, whose function and duty it was to repress and punish these violations of order, took no steps for that purpose. The States-General, for their own protection, were, therefore, obliged to place their militia under the command of a Committee The Prince filled the Courts of London and Beilin with complaints at this usurpation of his preroga - - tives; and forgetting that he was but the first ser vant of a Republic, marched his regular troops against the City of Utrecht, where the States were in Session. They were repulsed by the militia. Ilia interests now became marshalled with those of the public enemy and against his own country. The States, therefore, exercising the rights of Sove reignty, deprived him of all his powers." The Prussians, backed by England, marched an army into Holland for the sacred cause of the Stadtholder ; and if France had not been bullied, the resources of this country and of Prussia would have been expended in a war to which the interest of the two countries was a stranger. It is some consolation to think that the wasteful expenditure of this and other coun tries in wars, without an object, have greatly contributed to the wisdom of the existing Go vernments. Should the French Government persist in misundertanding its true situation, and force on a crisis, the neighbouring Govern ments will be cautious how they embroil them . - selves with French affairs. As to England, once the most busy meddling power in the whole world, she is now as wise as any one could wish her to be. The instinct of self-preservation dic tates prudence, and an abstinence from rash in tilgences.--Morning Chronicle. We perfectly agree with a correspondent that the language used by Mr. Walker, the Magis trate of Lambeth-street, with respect to the poor laws, deserves the severest reprehension. We do not know whether the Guardians of the Poor of the Parish of St. Anne, Linzehouse, are remarkable for the strictness or the laxity with which they administer those laws, but when the worthy Magistrate, in his Circular, addressed to those officers, speaks of his " thorough convic tion, from lopg experience, of the impolicy, cruelty, and,unchristian tendency of the poor laws, and his earnest desire, by a strict adinini stration, to facilitate their abolition," we must tell him that he travels beyond the bounds of his duty to endeavour to bring into hatred and contempt that portion of the law of the land which has its origin in Christian charity, and is the inheritance of the poor. We admit the ex istence of numerous abuses which have grown up under the poor laws, by which their beneficent effect is much impaired; but Mr. Walker comes forward to arraign their principle in its purest ope ration, for lie says that he bas an earnest desire, by a strict administration, to facilitate their aboli tion; which is equivalent to saying that the more properly they are executed the more improper they will appear. He must, therefore, wish the public to believe that the excrescences of the system tend to reconcile society to the system itself—that the deviation from the original prin ciple tends to conceal the inherent deformity of its nature, which is " cruel, impolitic, and un christian," and that the system only wants to be • strictly, that is, in other words, correctly ad ministered, to be no longer endured. Now that any man, and especially a Magistrate, should dare, even in the present day of paradox and false philosophy, to give utterance to such a sentiment, does somewhat astonish us. We know, indeed, that Mr. Walker's opinion is not new, for we recollect that a Morning Paper, now strenuously recommending the introduction of the poor laws into Ireland, was not very long ago, as - earnestly labouring to eradicate them, as a pest and mischief, from the soil of England. There is no disputing about tastes ; and we should not quarrel with the worthy Magistrate for taking up the cast-off opinions of that Journal, and enforcing them by all the eloquence of his pen, if he did not hold a situation which might make the declaration of his senti ments on this subject extensively injurious. We tell Mr. Walker that so far are the poor laws, when strictly administered, from being of a cruel impolitic, and unchristian tendency, that they are of the very essence of sound social policy and Christian benevolence. We tell him they are founded in that wisdom which takes a compre hensive view of the interests of humanity, and that they ratify with the sanctions of law one of the noblest principles of that religion to which our temples are consecrated, Is it of the -spirit of cruelty, or of Christian charity, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to be eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame, to help him that is ready to perish, and to open the hand of bounty to the widow and the fatherless in affliction ? These duties the Poor Laws inculcate, and they leave not the performance of them to chance or to casual compassion, but they make an observ ance of the claims of humanity imperative, and consecrate a portion of the wealth of the coin :nullity as the fund of the destitute—the inalien able property of the poor. Surely the relief , tvhich for centuries the Legislature has set apart to those benevolent purposes, the poor man has as much right to as Mr. Walker has to his sa lary. The one as well as the other comes out of takes necessarily levied upon the public.— The motives of the worthy Magistrate may be most pure and upright—he may imagine he is acting with great wisdom and patriotism in endeavouring to facilitate the abolition of those laws which—in the name of huma nity, of nature, and religion—declare that no man shall perish of starvation in England. But a wiser Dispenser of justice than Mr. Walker has declared; in that Book which, notvvithstand ing the lights of modern philosophy, contains more of the true science of Government than the political economists have yet taught the world—" Whoso stopped' his ears to the cry pf the poor, he shall cry himself, but shall not be heard." The enactors of the Poor Laws did not stop their ears to the cries of the poor— they gave them a perinanent .provision from the State, in place of the, contributions levied on the wealthy and humane by the importunities of vagrant mendicancy. The 43d Eliobeth may be called the Magna (Marta of the poor=--that Act contains in few words the comprehensive principle of the Poor Laws. It directs the Overseers, &c. of every parish, by taxation of every inhabitant, &c. to raise, weekly or other wise, a convenient stock of flax, hemp, ,vool, thread, iron, and other ware and stuff, to set the poor on work ; and also competent sums of money for and towards the necessary relief of the lame, impotent, blind, old, and such among them being poor and not able to work, and also f ir putting out poor children as apprentices. This is the pure and strict principle of the Poor Laws. The abuses which lidve grown up un der the system it is not necessary here to touch upon, because Mr. Walker denounces those Laws, independently of their abu - ec.; Int, un til he substitutes some more eligible scheme of charity, we hope the principle of the Poor Laws will be as enduring as the Constitution of Eng- land.—Morning Herald. We promised in our paper of yesterday to lay before our rewlers some additional facts and ob servations respecting the state of trade, and the prospects of the commercial, manufacturing, and agricultural classes, and we now address our selves to the task. The accounts of the state of trade in the provincial papers are in a few in “ances contradictory. At Huddersfield, it is stated, that " there is no improvement in trade, that is to say, that there is no improvement in prices or wages:" and at Bradford again, " that the demand for fine goods still continues brisk, and that a great deal of them were sold in Thursday's market." The same discrepancy in point of facts would be observed in the accounts given by the Manchester Courier and the Manchester Advertise?, which appeared in our yesterday's paper ; and a similar remark ap plies to those of the Leeds papers—one of them asserting that " leaving out of considera tion the reduced scale of the establish ments, out of 2,240 looms, the customary number in bad ti?nes, no less than 785 are idle ; and a considerable portion of those are only partially employed ; while more, it would seem, are worked to keep up a show of work ;''' and the other declaring that there is consider able exaggeration in the statement, and that more looms are employed, and for a greater length of time, than the other has given credit for. The Leeds Mercury, in fact, reduces the number of unemployed looms to about 200, which, it adds, is about as small a number as can be found un employed at any time in Leeds. There is one sentence, however, in the leading article of the Mercury, qn the subject, which speaks volumes on the present state of trade. " Many of the manufacturers," says it, " are already engaged in preparing for the spring trade, though the merchants and retail dealers do not begin to lay in their stocks till after the commencement of the year." On the other hand—for we are anxious to put our readers in possession of the truth—the demand for cotton in the Liverpool market has been buisk ; but whether for imme diate consumption, or the spring. trade, does not appear. Turning from the commercial and ma nufacturing to the agricultural classes, we regret to find no change of scene. Agricultural pro duce is always in demand, and except in the worst of times, finds a market, sooner or later; but the prices have greatly declined within the last eighteen months, and the farmer who had contracted to pay a high rent in paper-money, now finds himself unable to meet his landlord's demand in the augmented currency in which, and in no other, must he now pay it. This fact is confessed by the Leeds Mercury, which has the following sensible observations on the sub ject : " The reduction of rents," says it, " appears to us not merely a measure of humanity on the part of landed proprietors to their tenants, but of sound policy, and even of necessity. It is manifest that the value of money has been increased, and the no minal value of produce lowered, by the return to a metallic currency ; and it is therefore impossible for farmers, who before only just obtained a subsistence out of their farms, to continue to pay the same rents which they have paid hitherto. An attempt to wring from them the same rents would either com pel the farmer to throw up his farm or it would ruin him. Those who are bound by leases ought to have their rents lowered, as well as those who take from year to year; otherwise every future year of their lease will reduce their means, and sink them deeper in insolvency. We are convinced that the reduction of rents must become general through the country, and that the sooner it is made the better it will be both for landiords and tenants. It cannot be for the interest of landlords, in the long run, to grind down their tenants by excessive rents ; because this must lead either to a change of tenants, which is generally attended with loss on the part of the landlord, or ti the throwing of farms on the land lord's hands. By a timely reduction of rent the farmer may be saved, and the connection between him and the proprietor continue to be mutually beneficial." We fear, however, that the farmer who calcu lates on the liberality of his landlord in reducing his rent, in proportion to the augmented value of the currency, will calculate without his host. The land-owners generally, neither understand th e c i ub j eet, nor, if they did, would they be inclined to agree to any measure of equitable adjustment, until the fear of having their land returned upon them, had become more visible than it has yet been. They will have their " pound of flesh" for their " ounce of gold," while. a pound remains; and nothing, we are convinced, can possibly save the farmer from their ruinous gripe, but a legislative measure, which by realising the farmer from his contract with the landowner, and enabling him to make a new bargain, may afford him a chance of ap portioning his rent to the increased value of the currency in which it is to be paid. Now what is the result of the preceding facts and observa tions? First, that trade and agriculture are in a very unprofitable, not to say ruinous state, in consequence of a fall in wages, prices, and profits ; and, secondly, that though not wholly cuing to the increased value of the currency, these fesults have been immediately caused by it. Confirmatiouz Of the truth of the latter doctrine are now pouring in upon us from all quarters. However despicable the one and two-pound. ncites may be, or might have been in the eyes of some pea.o.ns, it is now found that the country cannot do without them—that we are too poor in fact, to afford to jay for every thing in gold, and that unless a correspo,r.ding reduction is made in the public burthens, these same despised rags, with their equally despised issuers, must be called in to assistthe public in getting through its difficulties. 'l'o-morrow we shall resume this iubjpct. In the mean time we submit the following just ponclusions from the above facts and reasoning, frotA tiie Leeds Mercury:— " If the landlord," says " is compelled to his rents, it is manifest that tie public func tionary to submit to a reduction of his meaty. Many public officers had their salaries and allow ances raised during the we-7, on the express ground of an increased price of all corron.s4ikies, caused by :he depreciation in the value of money. the same r2eson those salaries ought now to be reduced to their torrcz; amount ; money has regained its value, the price a g. commodities has fallen, and these functionaries are the;.e.fcsre receiving a larger payment than it was intended they che4ld receive. In the present state of the country it is the impera tive duty of Government to enforce the utmost practicable economy in every department of the public serviee. Now that the disconteuts of Ireland are appeased, and the war in the East terininated„ eve should think that a reduction might, with per fect safety, be made in the number of our forces." " As it is the duty of Government to grant a reduction of the taxes, so it is the interest of the people to ask for it. All panics are agreed as to the existence of distress, and all parties ought therefore to concur in demanding an alleviation of the public burdens. Those especially who see no thing but despair and ruin in the aspect of affairs, ought to direct their efforts to this practical mode (if relief, instead of keeping up a clamour which can answer no end but to gratify party spirit. The Ultra Tories will adopt this course, unless their oh iect is merely to force their way back to power-- not to advance their country's good. Let the dif ficulties of the nation be insisted upon, but let it be for some useful end. Let us not waste our strength in idle disputation, but let us all join in impressing the necessities of the people onyarlia mew. By so doing every economical disposition in the Ministry and the Legislature will be confirmed, every tendency to needless expenditure checked, and a powerful motive imparted to reduce the ex tent of our establishments and the pressure of the taxes."—illorning Advertiser. A report has been for some time in circula tion that it is the intention of his Majesty's Ministers to propose to the holders of Four per Cent. Government Annuities the alternative of accepting a reduced rate of interest, or of having their annuities redeemed at par. On the truth or falsehood of this rumour we are not about to offer any opinion, excepting that we are per suaded it does not rest upon the authority of any disclosure which can have emanated from an official quarter. The character of the Adminis tration is a sufficient pledge that a resolution of this nature would not be suffered to transpire by means of any premature and partial revelation ; and that the official reserve which has hitherto distinguished his Majesty's present Ministers would not, for the first time, be laid aside on an occasion upon which the advantage of indi vidual speculators only could be promoted by its cessation. The report therefore we take to be founded solely upon the ge neral grounds of the facility which it may be supposed the present state of the mo ney market would afford to such an ope ration ; and the duty, at all times imperative upon Government, to avail itself of every legitimate means, and every favourable op portunity, of lightening the public burdens. We advert to this subject because we find some of our contemporaries disposed to censure Govern. ment by anticipation on account of this measure, and to bespeak the commiseration of the public for .the fundholders whose incomes are liable to reduction. This is an error in the opposite direction to that (and less censurable certainly, inasmuch as it is on the side of generosity) which we have too often had occasion to correct, of representing a temporary pressure on the national finances as a sufficient cause or apology for a breach of national faith. Our contempo raries, rather than be without a pretence for com plaint, are now ready to contend that the fund holder ought to have more than Government has contracted to -pay, although on many former occasions they have contemplated, with out much apparent repugnance, his being compelled to put up with less. The true doctime we apprehend to be—and it is so plain that deviation on either side seems scarcely possible—that Government ought to reduce the charges upon the public to the lowest amount which fair dealings towards individuals will admit, but on no account, nor under the in fluence of any temptation whatever, to attempt reduction beyond this point. The question then is, will Government deal fairly towards this particular class of fundholders if it should re duce them to choose between the redemption of their stock at par and the diminution of their dividends ? And upon this question there cannot, we think, be any doubt. Government, in the original contract by which these annuities were created, reserved to itself the right of re deeming them, after a certain period, now past, and for this right the public paid an adequate price by receiving as the consideration for them a smaller sum than would have been their fair value had they then been made irredeemable. Their price in the market also has been con stantly less than it would have been, but for the universal knowledge that they were subject to redemption or reduction. What corn plaint then can be reasonably made on be half eithei of the original holders of these se curities, or of those who have purchased them at any subsequent period, in case the option contemplated by the contract to which they have become the voluntary parties should now be offered them ? There is only one supposition upon which the good faith and honourable con duct of Government in such a transaction could be impeached, that of its having by some tem porary expedients forced up the price of the public securities with a view to promote the success of the meditated operation. From this suspicion the Government, in the case under our consideration, would be wholly free, inasmuch as by the measures which have been adopted for the regulation of the Currency, it has divested itself of the power, even if it had the inclination, to produce an occasional or artificial advance in the price of any descrip tion whatever of commodity or security. The only means now left to Government of affecting the market value of the National Securities is its manner of conducting the affairs of the State. If this be such as inspires general confidence, and is thought likely to promote the general welfare and prosperity of the country, it is na tural that the Funds should be high ; but it will scarcely be pretended that the character and con duct of Government give any class of fund holders a just occasion of complaint merely be cause it is their natural tendency to produce this state of things. — Morning P. A Morning Contemporary yesterday, in allu-H sion to the surrender by the Duke of Welling- ton of the emoluments of his office as Warden of the Cinque Ports, remarks upon the " vanity" and " affectation" of its being remitted to the Exchequer. The amount of the sum so ten dered to the exigencies of the State has little to do with the principle upon which the Noble Duke has acted, and we cannot divine how an example so worthy of imitation by every public man, can with justice be considered as the result of " vanity" or " affectation." But the.ernolu tnents of the office, it is asserted, arise from fees," and if the office be " unnecessary" the fees should be " aboli'Shed" rather than when collected be handed over to the Exchequer. Now admitting that the emoluments arise from fees, it by no means follows than office h unnecessary. It is„an office of ancient standing, of great trust and honour, and like many others of similar importance, has been filled by some of the most eminent men this country has produced. The Courts of the Cinque Ports have duties and prerogatives attached to them, not very dissiria-,.r to those of the Counties Palatine, and particularly an exclusive jurisdiction (before the Mayor and Jurats of the ports, Dover, Sand- Rotnney, Hastings, and Hythe, to which Winebelsea and Rye have since been added), in which exclusive jurisdiction the King's writ does nor run. A writ of error lies from the Mayor and Jurats of each port to the Lord 'Warden of the Cimre Ports in his Court of _Shepway, and from the Coult of Shepway to. the King's Bench ; so likewise a writ of error lies from all the other jurisdictions to the Su preme Court of Judicature, as an ensign of su periority reserved to the Crown at the ori ginal creation of the franchises. And all pre rogative writs (as those of habeas corpus, prohibitions, certiorari, and mandamus) may issue, for the same reason, to all those exempt jurisdictions ; because the privi lege that the King's writ does not run must be intended between party and party, for there can be no such privilege against the King. (See 3. Blackstone, " Courts of Special Jurisdiction," and the authorities there recited.) . Now whether courts such as the CinqUe Ports, and whether the office of head of these courts, ought to be abolished, we do not pretend to say ; but it is clear that until some other jurisdiction' be ap pointed to supply that which has been so long and so beneficially established, the office of Head Warden is necessary, and must be continued. It is asserted that if the office be paid by " fees," and little or nothing be done, they should not be exacted, they should beremitted to the payers : if it be an office requiring care and attention, they should be retained. Blackstone has shown the latter position to be the correct one; and therefore s'e argue that the fees being handed over to the be nefit of the State, a manifest desire is pro tanto evinced on the part of the Duke of Wellington to lend a helping hand to relieve the necessities of the country. We set out with saying that the amount (somewhat above 1,0001.) had no thing whatever to do with the generosity .of the principle, and we feel satisfied there is not a man of upright or honourable mind in the com munity, who will not share in our opinion. The miserable cavilling by which it is assailed, and the more miserable suppositions upon which the attempt at reasoning it down is supported, are their own sufficient condemnation.—lbid. - - POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MANSION-HOUSE Mr. Bowler, Secretary to the Mines Royal Cop per Company, Upper Thames -street, appeared at the Justice-room to prefer a charge against two men named Bay lit and Baker. _ _ Mr. Bowler stated, that Baker, who is a porter, called at the Company's office, on Friday, with a mitten order for some copper, professing to come from Mr. Butler, of Wigmore-street, a customer of the company. The order was for lcwt. 661b.--2oz. It occurred to him that the writing was not that of Mr. Butler, and he was soon confirmed irethe opinion by that gentleman himself, who happened to call. The prisoner was absent at this time, but he returned in a quarter of an hour for the copper, which was given to him by the direction of the witness, who took care that he should .be followed, in order, if possible, to trace the imposture to its source. John Mitchell, warehouseman to the Company, accompanied by two officers, followed from the Company's premises. Baker went along without stopping anywhere, until he reached Fleet-market. There he stopped upon being met by Baylis, the other prisoner, to whom he delivered the bill.of parcels. The two prisoners then went on con versing together as far as Shoe-lane, when Baylis ran away, leaving Baker with the load of copper still in his possession. Neither witness nor the officers had spoken to the prisoners at the time. They continued to follow Baker, who went as far as Seven Dials, when he was apprehended in a public.house by an officer. Betterton, the officer confirmed this account, and added, Baylis had been taken in Shoe-lane unknown to Baker. The pris'oners were both remanded. Amongst the paupers who were brought up was a wretched young woman, about 20 years of age, with a child in her arms, and accompanied by a sister who appeared rather idiotic than insane. The mi serable group had been found the preceding night in a perishing state. They had but just arrived in London from Staffordshire. The husband was out of employment, and had come to town in search of some; but under one of those unaccountable im pulses which misery sometimes communicates to her victims, whether in the selfish hope of providing for himself, or at the vague suggestion of despair, he snatched a kiss from his infant, ran off from his fa mily, and has not since been heard of. Such was the exhaustion of the mother, that the infant had been some days deprived of its natural nourishment. They were ordered to be taken care of in the workhouse. GUILDHALL William Davit, a miserable looking creature, was brought before Mr. Alderman VENABLES yesterday, charged with sneaking into a ebeesemonger's shop, kept by Mr. Bedell, in Ling•street, Cloth-fair, be tween ten and eleven o'clock on Sunday forenoon, and stealing about ten pounds of bacon. The pri soner, observing no person in the shop, walked in, coolly unbuttoned his coat, and was going away with the bacon, when pursued by a young man who had been watching him, and secured. " What are you ?" said the Magistrate, address ing the officer, William Smith, who appeared some what intoxicated. Officer—l am a constable of the liberty of St. Bartholomew, not within the city of London. ALDEKMAN—I was aware it is not in the city. You St. Bartholomew•men are, I know, very tena cious .of your privileges. Officer—My dear, Sir (checking himself), Mr. Alderman, I have something to state. The pro secutor don't wish to prosecute in this case. ALDERMAN—Attend to me. What do you know respecting this charge ? Officer (boisterously)— Nothing at all.—(A laugh.) ALDERMAN—Do you know at what hour you were sent for? Officer—No; I cannot tell exactly. I am sure it was before twelve, by my business. ALDERMAN—What business? Officer—l am a baker. ALDERMAN—You received charge of this man for stealing the bacon ? Officer—Yeq, Sir. ALDERMAN—What have you drank this morn ing? Officer—Me l Nothing but what is useful, and it has nothing to do with the case. The ALDERMAN (peremptorily).—Answer the question, and remember you are on your oath.— What have you drank this morning ? Officer— Nothing more than I do every day. ALDERMAN—weII, give me the particulars. Offi cer—Whz, I drink a glass of gin the first thing in the morning, and at eleven o'clock in the day a pint of beer, and that will do nobody harm. (A roar of laughter.) ALDERMAN—You are fined .ss. for being drunk, and let the case stand over till tomorrow, when the prosecutor must attend, and I hope you will come sober. The ofiicer was so surprised tit this decision, that he submitted to it quietly. BOW-STREET. Mr. Thomas, the superintendent of police, waited yesterday upon Mr. Mussuuti., and stated that one of the men of his division had been charged with an 8a upon a person in B e df or db ur y. Th e matter s was atr°et u matterfe rred to the Commissioners of Police, who were under the impression that the constable was wrong, and that he ought to be fined for his mis conduct. The complaivaptlad made a demand of 5/. as compensation, which sum the6rnmissioners conceived v.as too much, and they accordingly refer red the matte! to the Magistrates for their decision._ Mr. MINSIIULL had no objection to hear,the case; but if he inflicted a fine upon the constable, it wenld go to the King, and not to the injured party, as he had made it a rule not to grant parties compensation in money in cases of assault. The complainant and defendant were then called forward. The former, whose name is William Sully, and who resided in York-street, -Rothe'.tithe, exhi bited several patches upon his face, and both his eyes appeared discoloured. The name of the de fendant is Thomas Travers. The facts of the case appeared to be as follow : On Sunday evening the defendant was passing through Bedfordbury, when he saw the cart of the complainant standing at the door of the Lemon Tree public-house, and as No person appeared to attend to it, he was about to convey it to the green-yard, and for that purpose took hold of the horse's head,.when the complainant came from the public-house, and an altercation commenced between the constable and him, which ended in the assault complained of. — The constable positively declared, however, that before he used his staff he had been struck three times. He also stated, that the wheels of the cart were on the foot-path; but this was positively de nied by the complainant and two witnesses whom he brought forward, and who alleged further that the defendant was intoxicated at the time. Mr. MINSHULL said, that in his opinion the de fendant ought to be fined. Mr. HALLS said, that in his opinion no fine ought to be inflicted upon the constable. It was certainly :very wrong of him to use his staff in the manner he had done, but he had been struck three times before he did so. The charge was then dismissed, with the under standing that it was open to the complainant to in dict the constable at the sessions. An infamous old Jewess, named Sarah Levy, was brought before Mr. HALLS, by Serjeant Love grove, by whom she was charged with having been in New -street, Covent-garden, on Sunday night, encouraging one of her dress girls to lay hold of a gentleman, for the purpose of decoying him to La zenby-court, where she keeps an infamous brothel. Neither the girl, however, nor the gentleman, were in attendance to give evidence against the defend dant, whom Mr. HALLS was reluctantly obliged to discharge for want of the necessary proof to establish a case against her. Mr. Harmer, as the defendant's solicitor, com plained that his client had been detained all night in the watch-house, although good bail had been offered for her appearance in the morning. Inspector Rogers rejected the bail on account of the notorious character of the defendant, who was one of the most infamous old bawds in the district. Mr. Harmer warmly contended that the inspec tor had no right to set himself up as a judge in such matters. The Inspector replied, that the New - Police Act gave power to the police to reject bail when offered for persons of notoriously bad character. Mr. HALLS said, that the Act certainly gave the power mentioned, and in exercising that power in the present instance he considered that the inspector had acted very properly, as it was sufficiently nbto rious that the defendant Levy was a woman of the most infamous character. UNION HALL Yesterday soon after the arrival of the Magistrates Mr. Wardel, the proprietor of the Equestrian Tavern and Coffee-house, near the Surrey Theatre, accom panied by a gentleman, named Cummine, attended for the purpoie of detailing the particulars relative to an act of self-destruction, contemplated by a gen tleman named R. B. Watts, formerly box-keeper of Drury-lane Theatre, and who was also founder of a society called the " Philanthropic,'.' which, since its formation, has contributed to the relief of the sick and indigent. The uofortuuate gentleman alluded to, it appears, was only within a few years back in very easy circumstances, but owing to losses he sustained, his circumstances of late have been so excceedingly straightened, as to produce great de pression of spirits, which operated so strongly on his mind as to render his life a burden to him, and induced him to come to the determination of corn tnitting an act from which, as will be . seen in the following statement, he was by a miracle preserved. Mr. Wardel. elated, that offthe preceding night Mr. Watts, whom he had knoWn before, came to his +(else and took a seat in the corner of one of the boxes in the coffee-room. There were two other gentlemen there at the time, one of whom having some knowledge of Mr. Watts' features, and seeing. that he appeared very much agitated, asked *Whet her he was not the founder of the Philanthropic, the in quirer himself being a member of the Institution. Mr.W. having replied in the affirmative, the gentleman. requested that he would make known to them his situa tion, adding that it was obvious he was in trouble, and that they should feel pleasure in relieving his peseta situation as far as their pecuniary assistance could be available. He however concealed the cause of his uneasiness of mind, until Mr. Wardel, on enter ing the room, and having been made acquainted with the circumstance, at length prevailed en Mr. Watts to walk into a private room, and he was there urged to state the cause of his apparent dis tress of mind. He then, with considerable reluct ance, admitted that he was suffering from poverty and misfortune, and drawing forth a small parcel from his coat-pocket, sealed.. up and directed for " Mr. Stevens, Duke's Head, Margate," placed it in the hands of Mr. Wardel, with a v request that he would forward it to Margate,as soon as he could con veniently. The parcel was received into the hands of Mr. - Wardel, who with two gentlemen present, (Mr. Cummine and another), immediately presented him with some money for his present necessities, at the same time informing him that they sheuld take an opportunity of mentioning the misfortunes under which he laboured to some friends who had known him under different circumstances, in order that something might be .done to relieve him from his embarrassments. For 'these kindly offers on the part of Mr. Wardel and the other two gentlemen, Mr. Watts returned the most heartfelt thanks, and he then left the house, after having declared that if he was alive he should call on the Tuesday (this slay), for the purpose of ascertaining what his friends had done for him in the interim. On quitting the house, notwithstanding the kind and soothing con duct with which he was treated by the individuals above named, it was evident to them that he mani fested great lowness and depression of spirits, and fearing that he meditated self-destruction, they in stantly broke open the small parcel he had entrusted into Mr. Warders hand, and found therein the fol lowing letter addressed to Mr. Stevens, Duke's Head, Margate, from which will be gathered the desperate resolution of the unfortunate writer " Kind, kind Friends,—l have frequently attempted to write to you, but up to this moment could not. That you have concluded me ungrateful, I have no doubt ; but no, indeed, indeed I have not. I have been deceived, and wanted nerve to meet it. That you have been a father and brother to me, I have ever said. The greatest misfortune that can befal man is to be gifted with a heart to feel, without the power to relieve. lam one of its victims; and if I had a window in my breast, you would see a heart that never intended wrong to any one. I should like to shake your hands once more, but that cannot be. Believe me, I feel the great kindness I have received; and finding no chance of repaying it, I cannot live. Accept my thanks : it is all I have to give. I send my tickets to Susan : I hope she will take them out, and keep them for my sake—the ring, &c. God bless you; good wishes to Mrs. Stevens : they are the only acknowledgment I can make. I would write to Mr. Salter, but cannct. Ask him and all my friends to accept my best wishes . for their good, not forgetting the kind intentions of Dr. Jarvis Wid dington, &c. Up to yesterday there was some hope : it is now over. I have made free with friends, and increased my own misery ; but before you receive this, I shall be no more. God bless you! Should my body be found, give it to some hospital ; it is the last good I can do mankind. Forgive me—God forgive me ! "My boxes you will find at the office. Send for them, and do with the few things as jou like. Look over my papers: there are some worth keeping. " Yours, " It. B. WATTS. " N.B. 'gversfield is no man." Tht, moment the intention of the writer was disco vered on the perysal of the above letter, Mr. War del and Mr. Cummine hurried, off in quest of the unfortunate man, in order to prevent him from car rying his intentions into effect: They set out in contrary directions, and one of them came up with Mr. Watts in the Waterloo -road as he was hasten ing forward at a quick rate towards Waterloo bridge. Ple was conducted back to whence he 107: out, and Mr. Wardel considering it unsafe that he should be p erm itt e d t o b e l e f t a l one a f ter wards, A s ."_ him taken to a house in the neighbourhood or 0 office, where a person was engaged to sit up 1 011 him the whole of the night to prevent him from Isr ing violent hands upon himself. Amongst th ° papers sealed up in the packet were found, belichti several duplicates of jewellery, the following pot!. addressed to Mr. Watts.:— " Mrs. Ceutts has been out of town, or . would bal e sent the enclosed sooner for Mr. Watts' benefit.--Aag• " Mr. Watts,—With the Duke of Sussex's best wish. : Mr. Wardel told the magistrates that Mr. Wad e ' during the time he was box-keeper at Drury-lea e ' was greatly respected by all who knew him. Aft er he had left that situation he proceeded to iVlargate, where he had the arrangement of the aquatic fell' vities at the time the Duke of Clarence visited tha t town. Mr. Watts was also connected with the theatre of that place, and his liberality and benefe' fence of heart were well known to those who wer e acquainted with him. Mr. HouNit asked Mr. Wardel if he was aware most of the unfortunate man's friends were ee' quainted with his misfortunes ?—Mr. Wardel stated that he was a man of such acute feeling that he Wa' persuaded he would not make his 'situation known. Mr. HONE said he was of opinion, if the present condition of the unfortunate man was made know" to the Society of which he Wab the founder, n o doubt the Governors, or persons in authority, wo ul d call a meeting for the purpose of devising rotates alleviating his misfortunes. Mr. Wardel said, that Mr. Watts was known yid respected by several of the higher classes, whom h e. was assured, if aware of his distresses, would render that assistance which would relieve him faun W s present difficulties, and be the means of preventing him from committing an act of self-destruction. Mr. HONE—It appeArs that the unfortunate man is a victim of his own sensibility. The Mafk a tre g t l then eulogized the conduct pursued by Mr. - " — i6 and Mr. Cummine in the a ff a ir. Th e y were t he means no doubt, of saving the life of a fellow creature ; and if the circumstances detailed by the m obtained insertion in the newspapers, he had veff little doubt those who had known Mr. Watt sande far different circumstances, would come forward e e , the occasion. Amongst the papers in the packet that was brae? . •open, was also found a statement, drawn up in g r '., Watts's hand-writing, detailing the facts of his ha" ing lent a Colonel in the Army 3001. a short tie' ago, immediately after this the borrower 'took the, benefit of the Act, and the result was the loss 01 the whole sum to Mr. Watts.. This circumstan ce • seems to have acted very strongly on the poor tune mind, in addition to his other misfortunes. • Previous to Mr. Wardel leaving the office, he stated that Mr. Watts should remain at the where he then was under the care of a person, unti l something might be done for him. The Earl of PEMBROKE, by his father , death, inherits an ample fortune, resulting from vane' entailed estates. His Lordship does not, we understaste intend to make England his permanent residence, altbott the " princely palace of Wilton," newly bUilt a nd der e ; rated, and the noble mansion in Privy Gardens, v4 ,4 13°1v cs f to Lord GODERICH, are entirely his. The late j " -- „ o w, PEMBROK2 becplejthed to his second son, SintafF tli we believe, in his minority, a large portion of the left to him by Viscount FITZWILLIAM, who founded t`—', museum at Cambridge. As the present Earl has Wig' been separated from his wife, whom he married at Piffl e ?: • where she lives, should SIDNEY Helm= surs'ifej l t ; w brother, he will succeed to the title and estates, w °— when added to his own, will be immense. ANTIQUARIAN DISCOVERY.—A few I 4 since, oi.e of the labourers employed in the improvem e l of the Oxford Canal, at Coombfields, near Brinklow, t ou t a mourning ring of very fine gold, a few inches below r soil, having in the inside the following engraved isl al r tiOn " Sir Robt Driden Bar' ob 19th Aug '108" This Sir ROBERT DRYDEN', it appears, was the eldest so ° and heir of Sir Joarar DRXDKN, Bart., of Canons Ash b r in the neighbouring county of Northampton, and un ci t e J.OIIN DRYDEN, the poet. He di e d unmarr i e d, isb,"' °ll. the „- years of age, and was buried in th e c h urc h of 1 - 41 , - Ashby, on the 30th of August, 170 S. Th e r i u g i' 3ll' possession of Mr. BLOXAM, solicitor, of Rugby. FISHING EXTRAORDINARY.—Last We ek ' as Lieutenant Nrcrioaas, of Fowey, was fishing at sonln distance from the harbour, he observed a number of sea" fowl hovering over his boat. Having thrown out his line, baited by a sand-eel, one of the birds instantly seized it, and was hauled alongside, but escaped before it could be secured. Again the line was thrown out, and again the bird (a mur), pounced On the bait, but it got free again. -On the line being committed a third time to the Water, the same bird eagerly darted at the bait, and so effectually swallowed the hook, as to be taken. After this successful haul, the bait was refitted and the line again thrown , when a gull seized the tempting morsel, and was secured. Both birds were brought alive to Fowey.— Cornwall Gal' ANECDOTE OF DR. JOHNSON.—AMO n g the anecdotes of this great literary Leviathan we hav e heard related, and which have not, so far as our rotate tion is to be credited, before appeared in print, is the P l ' lowing short but pithy one :—During the Doctor's teniii°l rary residence in Edinburgh, one of the most influere of the then Magistrates, distinguished alike far his su e bility and proud spirit, called at the Inn in which the her icographer " put up," for the purpose of paying his spects to him. The Doctor happened at the time to b e one of his sullen morose fits, and did n ot deign to tr eat the magisterial gentleman in a manner even approaching to the cowman courtesies of life. The latter, alter r e peated ineffectual attempts to draw the Doctor into 1: versation, at length rose and vi o l en tly rang the be vy JOHN promptly appeared, upon whi c h the functio onr i presented him with half-a-crown, adding in a tn rie . ke mingled indignation and sarcasm, " Here, waiter, that for a sight of your southern bear.—Elgin COr': of When JAMES the First * arrived at the cs P ig big of his dominions, he observed that the h e ad Ntia' t° „ - a tri for the body ; and told the nobility that at their c ° "„ seats they appeared like great ships in a river, but i° t he don like cock-boats on the ocean. When h.? Bodleian library, he said, " If I was not a King, I : h ,„ ° , d t desire to be a Member of the University; and if I coy eisitei be a prisoner, I should wish to have that library far prisan, and to be chained to so many good authors. When the Great Seal was taken from Lord Bacot, J` l , 3 ` l : said, "Now, by my soul, Plun pained at the h ear. - 0 3 whom to bestow it ; for as for my lawyers I think the all knaves." This King has been censured for suffering such a Chancellor and so great a philcsipher to languis h ere I'l poverty, while he preferred worthless parsons, who w s fit for nothing but to disgrace their benefactor. J- o ; s t used to compare Lord Chief Justice COKE to A cat, O s whatever happened, would always light spon its lege, , with his great legal knowledge and abilities, be could l' c ' f avoid the prosecution of his enemies? Tie D,anery ° St. Paul's becoming vacant, the King sent for Dr. DO ° to attend bins at dinner the next day, when he said, "P r ; DONNE though you sit not dcwn with me to dinner, I will carve to you of a dish that I know you and when I have dined take your favourite dish haute 1,1 your study, say grace to yourself, and much good 11 13 Y do you. I make you Dean of St. Paul's." BIRTHS. On the 22d inst. in Bedford-square, the lady of Vi rr John Lysley, Esq. barrister-at-law, of a daughter. On the 28th October, at Nice, the wife of the Big" Hon. T. P. Courtenay, of a daughter. On the 21st inst. in Nottingham-place, the lady of Orme, Esq. of a daughter. MARRIED. :gf' On the 13th inst. at Edlaston, R. G. Poles} ale, k r Captain in the Hon. East India Company's 11Iadrasf, finery, and eldest son of the Rev. R. Polwhele, of 1 , 7 1 whele, county of Cornw a ll, t o L ou i sa Frances, °P m daughter of the Rev. R. Greville, of Wyastone - ff r° Derbyshire. DIED. On the 22d inst. suddenly, at the Castle Inn, "'")ro ot Sir Richard Bedingfeld, Bart. of Oxburrh, Norfol/ d ' the effects of g.n apoplectic seizure while . nu his re London from Ditchlcy, the seat of Viscount Dillon. e s On the 21st inst. at Aylesbury, Bucks, Anne, P ull daughter of Joseph Rose, Esq. to On the 22d inst. Emma, daught e r of Mr. Bull oelce Holborn, i n h er 7th y ear . 31r 1. On the 23d i ns t. at W e nt wor th-pl ace , Ha Hampstea d ' A , . Brawne, wido w of th e l a t e S amue l B ra wne, Esq • PUNTED AND PURL/DDSS DT MURDO YOVron 8v)1 Orrva, 119, Smarm ) L0)(1°26