The Sun. — London, England, 1824-02-07 00:00:00

RLI AM E N HOUSE OF COMMONS, FEB. G. Mr. T. WILSON presented a Petition from the Inhabitants of lhoad-street Ward, in the City of. London, praying for the he al of the duty on Coals. The same ilanourable Member renewed the petition whiCh was presented last session against the return for the Borough of Bossiney. Mr. AGAR ELLIS moved fora return - Of the names of the parishes in Ireland which had memorialized the Lord Lieute nant against the Irish Tithes' Commutation Bill, and also a specification of reasons for which the Bill had been objected to. Mr. (lOULBURN observed, that in most oil the instances it would be impossible to specify the reasons why the Bill had beenk objected to, because none had been given. Mr. A. £LLIS said he was confident that the Right Hon. Gentleman would give him all the information in his powtr. The motion was the.: agreed to. Mr. BYNO presented a petition from the parish of Edmon ton, and another from the parish of , Enfield, in. Middlesex, praying for the repeal of the duty on coals. Lord ALTHORP moved for some returns respecting the Irish Revenue, which were ordered to be produced. Mr. MABERLY gave notice, that lie would on the 6th of May submit a motion respecting the mode of - collecting the Duties on Beer and Malt. He also gave a general notice, that if he were not anticipated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, he would submit a project for simplifying the arrangements respecting the Consolidated Fund, by which a large sum might be saved to the public. Mr. HUME gave notice, that on the 9th of March he would move for the appointment of a Committee to inquire into the, satent of the-Church Establishment in Ireland, with a 'view to the reduction thereof. CONSULS. Air. HUME asked the Right Hon. Secretary for Foieign Affairs, when he would effect his long-promised reform, re specting British Consuls abroad ? Mr. CANNING replied, that he mould submit a motion on the subject to which the Hon. Mertib'er - alluded, dUring the course of the present Session, and at no ilistant period. In the mean • thne he might perhaps remove the Hai. Gentleman's uneasiness on one particular point, by telling him that he had already reduced the consular salaries; Mr. HUME said, that it was not so much the amount of the salaries, as the manner in whieh' they"were paid, that he ob jected to. He disliked te system of consular charges upon goods imported. Lord JOHN RUSSELL stated, that on Wednesday, the 3d of March, he would move for the production of Copies of all communications which had taken place betweefi the French and the British Governments respecting the cvacuat Of Spain. Mr. CA: 7 4 NING suggested 'that the dispatch of public busi ness would be greatly facilitated if Hon. Mewbers would ab stain from fixing motions on Wednesdays, during the Seesion, arid allow those days to be exclusively devoted to .measures emanating from Government. Lord JOHN RUSSELL acknowledged the'propriety of the Right .Hon. Secretary's suggestion ; and therefore altered his notice from Wednesday, the 3d, to Thursday thellth of March THE - AUSTRIAN JAMES begged to direct the attention-of the Right Hon. 6ecretary for Foreign Affairs for a few moments to the subject of, the Austrian Loan. 'When the Right Hon. Gentle man laid on the table a copy . of a convention entered into be tween the Emperor of Austria and his Britannic Majesty, re specting the settlement of the Austrian Loan, he (Mr. James) fully expected that it was the intention of the Right Hon. Gen tleman merely to submit that document to the House for its sanction. But he had since ascertained, to his great surprise, that the agreement had actually been ratified by both the con tracting parties. He wished the - Right Hon. Gentleman to answer this queston—Whether he did not think that he had act ed illegally and unconstitutionally in advising his Majesty to that convention, without consulting the House ?—(A laugh.) —That might, perhap s appear to be a very radical view of' the case;---(a laugh), —but he felt it his duty to state, that he con ceive.d the Right Hon. Secretary to have assumed a power which even Mr. Pitt, in the plenitude of his authority, had never dared to assume. If the Right Hon. Gentleman and his colleagues--__. Nr. CANNING said he would give the Hon. 3lember the answer which lie required. The Hon. Member had asked whether he (Mr. Canning) did not think that he had acted il legally and unconstitutionally in regard to the Convention, a copy of which had been laid upon the table. The answer was " Decidedly not." If the Hon. Member thought otherwise, lie was of course at liberty to bring the subject before the House ; but then he hoped that the Hon. Member would give notice of his intention, and not proceed to discuss a nutter con nected with the privileges of the Crown, at a moment when the House was quite unprepared to entertain such a delicate gum. tien.--{flear, hear !) Mr. JAMES said, that he was not compelled to give a no tice, and as it was not likely that any business would come before the House that evening, he thought the matter might as - well be discussed at that time. He repeated, that he considered the conduct of the Right Honourable Secretary illegal. If Ministers had the right to give up the claim of the people of England to a large sum of money justly due v.: them, without consulting the House of Commons, then, part rattan, they were entitled to levy taxes in like manna. It was stated in one of the articles of the Convention, that his Majesty was entitled to site the Emperorof Austria in his owrreourt for the recovery of the debt. Had that been done ? He supposed it was vary unlikely that any thing further would be obtained from Austria, and he therefore hoped, that in justice to other bankrupts, the name of the Emperor would appear in the Ga. ;.... 7. e1y:,--(Hes,r, and a laugh.) FOREIGN POLICY. Lord NUGENT observed, that since the House had, by agreeing to the Address to his Majesty, sanctioned the policy which Government had adopted with regardto Spain, he thought they ought to be put in possession of the means of judging how far that policy had been fairly . carried into effect. For that purpose, he considered that the production of some papers was necessary—namely, copies of all the correspondence which had taken place between this Government and Sir William A'Court, during the period intervening between the entrance of the French troops into Spain, and the surrender of Cadiz; and also copies of all 'communications made by the Spanish Govern. •rn-ent to Sir Wm. A'Court, during the same period, with his answers. He wished to know whether the Right Hon. Secre tary intended to lay those papers before the 'House, or whether he would consent to their production, if he (Lord Nugent) should move for them ? :dr. CANNING replied, that he did not intend to lay the papers alluded to upon the table, and that his vote, if they were moved for, must depend upon the case which the Noble Lord might make for their production. Loril NUGENT then gave notice, that on Thursday next lie would submit a motion on the conduct of Ministers with re spect to the late war in Spain, and with reference to thsir pro fessed neutrality_ Sir J. NEWPORT moved for Papers (the communications which had been received by the Lord Lieutenant) respecting the right: of burial in Ireland, as regards Roman Catholics and Dissenters from the Established Church. The Hon. Baronet anticipated no resistance to his motion, as he was convinced the • tranquillity of Ireland depended materially upon the question to which it related. _ Mr. GOULBURN was always loth to appear to withhold information; but the House would be aware that there might be circumstances under which disclosure could only tend to do znischief. He relied upon the candour of the Right Honourable Baronet for giving credit to him (Mr. Goulburn) for sincerity he stated his belief that the papers in question were likely only to revive disputes, withou, forwarding the object which the Hon. Bazonet had in view. The Hon. Baronet wished to repeal the statute of the 9th William lIL, which applied to burials in the churchyards attachad to decayed monasteries. He said no thing upon the main question—whether the statute ought to be repealed, or whether it ought not; but it was an object which could ro way be aided by the production of the papers in the pons' on of the Lord Lieutenant ; while their publication would certainly revive differences which were now in a way to be forgotten. Sir JOHN NEWPORT, since the matter was referred to his candela-. thought it due to public justice, and to the people of' Ireland, that the papers should be produced. If there had been imprudences committed, let them lie upon those who ought to bear them —upon that part of the episcopal and eccle siastical body in Ireland which had attempted to strip the peo ple of the rl.!,ht of burial according to the forms of their re. ligion.-(Crics of " No, no," from the Ministers.)—Gentle men might cry " no," but he said that it was so. The notice which he had given was not that which the Right Hon. Secre tary (Mr. Goulburn) had stated. He moved certainly to repeal the Statute, the 9th William ; but he moved also to se cure the right of burial, generally, according to the forms of their religion, to tie Catholics and Dissenters from the Esta blished Church of Ireland. When it was considered that this question was of all others the most calculated to excite public feeling, and that 6-10ths of tie Irish population were ixterested in it, the House, he trusted, would go with him, if he pressed the -production of the papers to a division. Mr. GRATTAN thought it would be better to postpone the question, and give a regular notice. The Gentlemen on his side the. House were taken by surprise, not having conceived that the Papers would be refused. The question was one, as he viewed it, of the highest importance to Ireland. If it was not soon put at rest, there would be no burial without an affray. Mr. AktERCROMBY said, that of a ll th e frightful ques tions which had been mooted in Ireland, this was decidedly the , most terrific. He se far went along with the Hon. Secretary for Ireland, that if he thought the question likely to be settled satisfactorily, he would not call for the production of papers which contained an inflamed view, p er h aps , o f past d i sputes ; but then, so far from seeing any disposition on the part of Go vernment to take measures of itself for putting the difference at rest, 44 understood the Right,Hon. Secretary to suggest, that what bad, passed had set it at rest already. ;An. GOULBIII.I.N. said that he was misunderstood by the Hon. and Learneff Gentleman. He had . spoken only of par ticular difference* as in away to be at rest, not of the general question : __ Mr. ABERCROMBY.—But the Right Hon. Gentleman still stated no intention on the part of Govornrnent to take measures. And, under such circumstances, the House was bound to proceed itself, and consequently to call for the fullest information. The vital importance of the question was ad mitted. There were doubts upon it in every way : doubts as to the law—doubts as to the practice. A specific coursely Par liament was necessary ; and he therefore should support the production of all documents. Mr. PEEL thought it would be well to separate the general question (of burial) from the immediate question before the House—the production of papers. Upon the general question he reserved his opinion; but he thought that the papers ought not to be produced. Mr. CALCRA FT supported the motion. The documents in question were not private; and the only difference was, whether Members should obtain them personally, or whether they should come regularly before the House. The House then divided; when the numbers were— For producing the papers - - 39 Against it . . - 56 Majority against the motion - 17 On re-entering the gallery, we found Sir JOHN NEWPORT on his legs, moving for an account of church- ra t e s, raised in the sbveral parishes of Ireland (distinguishing.each parish) for the last 12 years. Mr. GOULBURN tiad no objection to the papers being pro duced ; but, to find them for twelve years'past would occasion a great'deal of labour. Would not a return for a shorter period answer the purpose ? Sir JOHN NEWPORT wished to show the manner in which that local taxation had increased, and how heavily it now pressed upon the people of Ireland. .Mr. GOIJLBURN said, as there were 2,500 parishes in Ire land, this would he making out just 12 times 2,500 returns. Sir JOHN NEWPORT said that many parishes •were united, so that the number returned for would not be so _great. At all events, where the right of taxing people existed, it was fit the country should see how it was exercised The Hon. Bart. then moved for a similar account of cathedrils consolidat ed into parish churches (under the Act of the 21 Geo. 11. c. 8), which was agreed to. He also wished for papers made up under the late Population Act, which he understood were ready to be laid before the House. Mr. GOULBCRN did not entirely understand what de scription of return the Hon. Baronet desired. Sir JOHN NEWPORT wanted the number of baronies, the number of houses, families, &c. The Hon. Baronet handed a list, across the table, which, 'we understand, was agreed to. Mr. GRATTAN moved for a Return of the number of Con stables appointed under the Act of last Session, and the places where they were appointed, distinguishing these who were of the Catholic religion from those , of the Protestant. Also the names of those who had been discharged or otherwise punished for breaches of duty. Mr. GOULBURN was not aware how the distinction could be specified. Mr. GRATTAN thought such returns practicable. The motion was agreed. to. On the motion of Mr. °RATTAN, Returns were ordered of the number of Ceuirnittals in Ireland wider the Insurrection Act. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that ow ing to the unfortunate circumstance of their not making . a House yesterday, he had not th e o p portun i ty o f giving no tice of the usual motion, that a supply be granted to his Majesty. He should make the motion for a Committee of Supply on Mon day next. Mr. .HUME hope: that the Estimates would be produced before a vote was called for. • The SPEAKER said that until the House agreed to go into a Committee of Supply, the King could not be addressed to or der the production of the Estimates. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that his object was merely to comply w ith the regul ar f orm o f business. WAYS AND MEANS. Sir WM. INGILBY (as we understood) hoped, that for the purpose of preventing undue and possibly ruinous specu. lations, the Chancellor of the Exchequer would name an early day for stating, his financial arrangements, and informing the public what particular duties he intended to take or. He would get rid of a great many difficulties b y bringing forward his were Ways 1110 S and Mea anxiouss.n at that early p er i o d , for which the public t The CHANCELLOR of the E XCHEQUER replied, that he now fulfilled his intention of givin g notice that on Monday, the 23d instant, he would s t ate hi s financial propositions in a , Committee of Ways and Means. COURT OF CHANCERY. 'On the motion of Mr. Joisx WlLLusts, copies were or dered of the cause paper of the Master of the Rolls, from the year 1817 to 1823 ; and the returns presented from the Court of Chancery were ordered to be printed. --- IRISH LAW COURTS. Mr. GOULBURN gave notice, that on Monday next he should move for a Committee upon the Irish Law Court Act (the Ist and 2d Geo. IV., c. 53. ) THE TREAD -MILL. Mr. PEEL moved for copies of the correspondence of the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with the visiting Magistrates of the different prisons where the Tread-mill has been introduced. He stated, that his object was to show that an improved state of `health was visible among the prisoners who were exposed to this labour.—The returns were ordered. On the motion of Mr. Gotmrsurtar, a new writ was ordered for Portarlington, in the room of the late David Ricardo, Esq. SLAVE TRADE. Dr. LUSHINUTON gave notice, that on Wednesday, the 18th inst., he should move for the consolidation of the laws relative to the abolition of Slavery. He also gave 'notice of a motion for the 19th of May, on the subject of the criminal law. PIRACY. On the motion of Sir F. OAIAIANEY, an address to the King was agreed to, for a return of the number of persons tried and condemned in Jamaica, from the Ist January, to the 25th of March, 1823, for acts of pirazy.--The House then adjourned. LIST OF THE MINORITY Who voted for Sir John Newport's Motion. Abercromby, Hn.J. Grenfell, P. Robinson, Sir G. Althorp, Visct. Gordon, R. Russell, Ld. J. Baring, H. - Haidimand. C. H. Robertson, A. Benyon, B. Hamilton, Lord A Staunton, Sir G. Bernal, Ralph Hume, J. Tennyson, C. Birch, J. Hutchinson, Hon. Tierney, Rt. Hn.G. Button, T. F. C. H. Wilkins, W. Coffin, Sir I. James, W. Williams, J. Crompton, S. Lamb, Hon. G. Wood, Alderman Curwen, J. C. Lushington, S. Wrottesley, Sir J. Davies, T. Moberly, J. Duncsnnon, Visct. Illackintosh, SirJ. TELLERS. Ellice, Ed. Nugent, Lord Cal cra ft, J. sen . Fleming, J. Ord, m. Newport, Rt. Hon. Grattan. J. Prendergast, G. Sir J. The Right Hon. G. Canning, the Right Hon. W. Huskisson, the Right Hon. C. Arbuthnot, the Right Hon. F. S. Robins-a; - theltight Ron. C.W. W. Wynn, Frankland Lewis, R. Wil mot Horton, and others, who usually vote in favour of the Ca tholic Question, voted against Sir J. Newport's motion. HOUSE OF LORDS--APPEALS. Intimation was yesterday forwarded to the Scotch Law Agents, by order of the LORD CLIANCELLOR, stating that the House of Lords would begin on Monday morning, to which day the House stands adjourned, at ten o'clock to hear Appeals. This is meeting an hour earlier than usual for Appeal hearings.—The Lord Chancellor will hear the first Appeals that stand on the list (the ballot for the Peers who are to attend during the remainder of the Session, takes place in the afternoon.) The first Appeals on Monday's list are those which his Lordship has already heard at considerable length in the course of preceding Sessions of Parliament ; namely, those known by the general name of the "Queensberry Causes." There are six of them in number :—" The Duke of Buccleugh v. Sir J. Montgomery ;" " the Duke of Buccleugh v. J. Hyslop, Esq. ;" " the Earl of Wymess v. the Duke of Buccleugh," &c. In further support of the extensive argu ments already heard at their Lordships' bar, Mr. Jeffrey, Mr. Cranstoun, and Mr. MoncriefE, the celebrated Scotch barristers, are specially retained to attend, and will appear on Monday.— The value that is set upon their assistance may be inferred from the fact that they are understood to have "one thousand guineas" marked on the backs of their briefs ! The further hearing of the causes is expected to occupy at least five or six days; but it is also calculated that the decision in one case will be re ceived as giving judgment in the remainder., The Lord Chan cellor will attend to the Queensberry Causes till they are all disposed of. His Lordship will then continue more regularly, than in former Sessions of Parliament, his sittings in the Court • of Chancery. The Appeals will, at the same time, proceed in the House of Lords ; but they will be mainly before Lord Gif ford, the new Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, and three Peers, according to the " Standing Orders" previously resolved on; and notwithstanding any absence of the Lord Chancellor. - THE TREAD-WHEEL (Extract from the Fifth Report of the Society for the lenprcros. ment of Prison piscipline, fe.) " The merits of the tread-wheel, as an instrument of prison labour, have, during the past year, excited considerable inte rest. Objections of a very serious nature have been urged against it by a Magistrate, whose labours for the iniproveinent of prison discipline, during a long and honourable life, entitle his sentiments to great attention. Highly as the Committee appreciate the motives which animate the benevolent author, they do not concur with the reasoning contained in a recent work on prison labour; the object of whic4 publication is to chew that the ordinary discipline of the tubad-wheel is an un safe, unhealthy, and degrading punishment. The Committee believe that they were the first to recognize the excellence, and advocate the introduction, of this description of prison-labour ; and, after mature consideration, they can discover nothing in the proper use and moderate application of this punishment, that is irreconcileable with the feelings of humanity, and those prinCiples of prison discipline which it is the object of this Society to recommend. " From documents which have been laid before Parliament, the healthiness of the tread-wheel exercise is satisfactorily proved. The opinions of the medical offlcers in attendance at the various prisons, concur in declaring that the general health of the prisotets has in no degree suffered injury by the exer cise; but that,, on the contrary, the labour has in this respect been productive of considerable benefit. Recent inquiries which the Committee have instituted,' confirm these, testimonies ; and against evidence so conclusive, a judgment, formed principally from abstract reasoning, and unsupported by that peculiar ex perience which 'the daily observations of a prison surgeon affords, can have but little weight. " The mischievous consequences of which it is stated that the tread-wheel is the source, attach not so much to the nature of the labour as to the degree in which it may be enforced._ There is nothing painful in the simple' position of the body on the wheel ; and the machinery may be made to revolve so slowly as scarcely to form a punishment; while, on the other hand, it cannot be denied; that by excessive application it may be rendered an instrument of unjustifiable rigour. The main question, then, on which the safety and expediency of the tread wheel depends, is simply this—can the degree of labour be so regulated as to be ascertained without difficulty, and restrained, at all times, within safe limits ? This consideration has occu pied the particular attention of the Committee; and they have the pleasure to stat e t h at t h ese ver y desirabl e o bj ects can be ac complished. "- It occurred to the C o m m i t t ee , on perusing their inquiries upon this subject, that as the several details in the manage ment of the tread e wbeel are proportionate in their variations, they Might conveniently be laid down upon a sliding scale. The idea has been carried into execution in a very ingenious manner by Mr. Bate, mathematical instrument-mak er to the Board of Excise, a•ho has constructed an instrument, by 'the I simpl e inspection of which the rate of labour can at all times be ascertained. The utility of this invention is obvious; it at once enables the Magistrate, or the Governor of a prison, at which a treadeveheel is in operation, to secure preci s i on o f management, and by affording an accurate measure, applicable in all cases; may prevent the inadvertent excess, or i ntentional abuse, of this s p ec i es o f pun ishment. " It is perfectly true that the labour of the t read-Wheel, un less it be 'regulated with great care, may, to use the lan guage of an able and experienced governor of a prison, (in a recent communication With the Committee), " become, in the hands of some, an emeine of terible oppression." In order to shew the importance of further attention to this subject, and the great confusion' that at present prevails in the manner of enforcing the labour, the Committee refer to the table in the appendix, friunded on returns recently received, sheaving 'the great varieties of 'punishment inflicted; a bare reference to which will prove the necessity for adopting some uniformity of practice, in order to equalize the administration of prison-dis cipline. The present inequality, it will be perceived, arises not only from the varied degrees of velocity, and the fluctuat ing proportions of working and resting prisoners at each wheel, but also from the difference in the 'working-hours of summer and winter—a difference which amounts in the daily rate of labour at some prisons to at least 50 per cent. By an adher ence, however, to the follo n et regulations, and with he aid of the scale to whichahe t,orrimittee have referred, hestead mills in various prisons, even those on the most diversified principles of construction, m ay be cond u cted upon on e un if orm and certain system of operation throughout the kingdom. ,4 I. Every tread-wheel s hould he provided with a regula stra tor, ' ined within sa fe limits. by which iu; t ate of revolution may at all times be re " 2. To the tread-wheel should also be affixed a dial register,' on reference to which the rate of labour may at any time be accurately ascertained. " 3. The daily rate of lab our should in no case exceed 12,000 feet in ascent. "A. , Care should be taken to apportion the diet to the degree of labour enforced. " The ComMittee are aware that the Observance of these rules will not remove the objections which many respectable persons entertain against 'the use of the tread-wheel : they re gard the punishment, under any circumstances, as too rigorous. In the opinion, however, of the Committee, the primary fea ture in the 'character of hard labour' should be severity ; not equal, indeed, to every decription of criminals, not ir reconcileable with the feelings of humanity, nor one degree beyond that which the public interests justify and the reforma tion of the criminal demands; 'yet a severity that shall make those who have violated j u stice feel the penalties of law, and the consequences of guilt. The Committee believe that for a certain class of offenders the tread-wheel is, under proper re gulation, a punishment of this description, and that no house of correction should be without it. The great proportion of offenders committed to such places of confinement are sen tenced to hard labour,' and but for short periods of imprison ment, during which the tread-wheel is an appropriate punish. mane. But in bearing this testimony in its favour, they feel no hesitation in declaring their opinion that its value may be over-rated, and its discipline misapplied. Notwithstanding the acknowledged excellencies of the tread-wheel, it ought not to form the punishment of those whom the law sentences to im prisonment only. To it on this description of prisoners would be to change the character of their sentence. To sub. ject, also, convicts Committed for long periods of imprisonment, day after day, to this discipline, is inconsistent with the views of the best writers on the Penitentiary system,.and at variance with those principles of prison management which Howard never ceased to inculcate, and to realize which the enlightened exertions of Sir George Paul and other eminent Magistrates have been zealously (Erected. '— " The practice of employing, females at the tread-wheel is, in the opinion of many benevolent persons, in no case justifi able. in this sentiment the Committee do riot concur. Upon hardened offenders committed 'to Houses of Correction—such as the law has truly designated idle and disorderly'—the la bour is productive of excellent effects, and, if superintended, by a careful matron, may be safely administered ; but the general employment of females at the' tread-wheel is liable to serious objections • and as there are, even in the a b sence o f p r i son trades, other kinds of labonr to be found fur women in a gaol that are congenial to the habits of their sex, the practice of thus employing this class of offenders is not justified by necessity. But let. the punishment of tread-wheel labour be ever so carefully regulated, there is one consideration which ought net to he forgotten, and to which the Committee cannot too ear nestly entreat attention. Punishments however salutary, can not alone be expected to reclaim ; nor d o they, under anyform, diminish the necessity for those moral and religious services., without which all plans of prison discipline will prove ineffi cient, and the formation and recovery of good character be come alike utterly hopeless. The Committee have been led to offer these remarks, because it has appeared to them that in some prisons by far too much dependence has been placed on the deterring influence of tread-wheel labour, while but little _earnestness has bee.) evinced to take advantage of that subjec tion of mind which the nnnisliment has a tendency to produce, and which might be available for the purposes of religious im pressions and permenent improvement. There is nothing in the character of tread-wheel labour that may not be made to strengthen the power of religion, 'and extend the influence of her ministers over the mind and feelings of a prisoner; and it would be indeed to be deplored, were the introduction of hard labour to be considered as superseding or weakening the neces sity for their labours, without which the great objects of prison discipline can never be attained," MR. OWEN TO THE EDITOR OF THE GLASGOW CHRONICLE. Sift—f have perused the last letter from Mr. OWEN, published in your Paper of the 20th inst., with much pleasure; and only wish that he could have confined himself in all his previous notices of religion to such expositions. Mr. Owen, Sir, has shewn in wine degree, though by no means to the extent that the demonstration might be carried, the coincidence of the precepts of christianity with the proposed New System ; and 1, on my part, am prepared to contend, that the present state of things is utterly .inconsistent with them in the very essentials. It is the peculiar privilege of truth to be concise and clear— this is also the case with the Christian doctrines, which are fully comprised in the two commandments; " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and thy neighbour as thyself." It is there fore by this criterion that the state of things, both past and present, among the various professions of Christianity, must submit to be tried. In treating the two points above named, I shall endeavour to " suit the'word to the word" by rendering the discus sion proportiorately brief to the subject matter of it, and with this view to the fitness of things, and also, because I deem no reasoning necessary to prove that facts, where they can be produced, are in all cases preferable to argu ments. I proceed to demand, in reference to the first commandment, and without the fear of contradiction, whether the love of mam mon has not prevailed over the love of God in every Christian age* and country since the dayst of the first disciple down to the present hour ; and whether there are any symptoms, either in the •existing state of the nations professing Christianity, or in any admitted view of things in prospect, progressing on the same system, which authorize even the hope of alteration. Will the Missionaries, if they render all the Ilindoos and Hottentots, and Otaheitans as perfect Christians as we are, preserve them from our predominant rage, for the accumulation of wealth anal the worship of it when acquired ? I insist on it, that the actual congregations of mankind—l do not call them Societies —are, and eter will be found, whilst they remain, incompatible with that abstraction from self-in terest, and that sufficient leisure from the affairs of the world which are necessary to enable human beings to devote that due portion of time, and that concentration of mind, to the con sideration of the divine attributes which are so justly demanded from them. The monastic institutions, whilst they act up to the spirit of their vows, carry the principle too far in one direction, with practice against the course of nature ; but the general state of the lay world, at every period, has shown quite as great a deviation from it in the other, and is just as much at variance with a true system of human association, and with the perfect love of God. _ _ It is not the failure, but the accumulation of illustrations, which induce me to pass to the consideration of the second commandment :—And here let me ask at once at what era of the Christian church, since the times of the miracles, it has happened that this law of " loving our neighb our as ourselves" has not been a dead letter ? Leaving the consideration of past times, however, for that of the-present, which is what we are principally concerned with, let amid th us atmosphere fo r e ver surc h arge d ‘. t Path of five times fif ty t h ousand fires— the greatest part of the inhabitants pass th e i r li ves ' w i t h out us look at the state of London , that largest aggr egat i on o f h uman beings within the Christian world. In that overgrown, an d still gr wi o th win th g e l‘ • knowing or caring one jot about their next d oor ne i g hb ours, or their neighbours about them ; yet enjoyin g one i mmun i ty withal, through this very isolation, in being th ere b y exempte d from the scandal and detraction which prev a il too certain l y i n smaller places. I call the communities of bees and beaver's societies, and not the congregations of manki n d ; an d s i nce So lomon I do l omon sent the sluggard of ancient d a y s t o t h e ant for instruc tion,l smokee roy o 1 ai fires— is not see why we should disdain to learn wisdom from , her instinct in our times. I maintain, Sir, that things cannot be mended under the present chance arrangement of human e assemblages ; they have no common plan, no adequate bond of union, nor sufficiently combined Views for purposes of durable and extended peace, and comfort, and conservation. Instead of mutual co-operation, we are in a state of unceasing contention with one another, for what each considers his just rights ; and it is utterly impracti cable for any individual singly to fulfil the divine precept, unless like fleward, by sacrificing fortune, and health, and life in the attempt, without any adequate or satisfactory attainment of the object of it, Of all the different sorts of our religion, I think it will not be denied that the Quackers have come nearest, both to the letter and spirit of the commandment in question ; but I doubt they will themselves admit that the fulfilment is not only im perfect, even within their own pale, but that they have no pros pect whatever, under the existing system, of attaining the uni versal extention of the principle enjoyed in the parable of the good Samaritan.l - thus set forth the view I entertain of the utter in compatibility of the present state of things with genuine Chris tianity, I will endeavour, with your leave, to demonstrate, in a future letter the practability of uniting under the projected New System, a far greater proportion and diffusion of the com forts and enjoyments of life, than are attainable under the Old —a point of view which, I believe, most people will be obliged to confess to themselves to be quite as interesting as any part of the jubject whatever.—l am, Sir, dm Jan. 29,1924. 11. J. "I imagine the spirit and conduct of the Crusaders will hardly entitle them to be regarded as exceptions : they formed too but a small portion of the population of Christianity. t Their favourite and praisew ort hy p roject o f N egro eman cipation, which, from having seen much of the West Indies, I am well aware of the necessity of to the cause of humanity and justice, can to no way be so certainly advanced, as by the pre valence of the New System. The proposed trial in Dalzell parish of Mr. OWEN'S System is at length fairly commenced. A number of workmen are constantly employed in spade labour, digging and levelling the ground. Every one that chooses gets constant employ ment at 10s. a week, which, at this season of the year, is a great benefit to labourers. Mr. OWEN was personally present on Friday, superintend ing the operations, and receiving estimates for the building of the houses of the new es ta blish ment.—(Glasgow Chronicle.) EMBEZZLEMENT AT DRURY-LANE THEATRE.- John Jordan, a private box keeper at Drury-lane Theatre, was brought up to Bow-street Office yesterday, charged with de- • frauding his employer, Mr. R. W. Elliston, of 21.25. On Friday night last a gentleman of the name of Turner went with a party of ladies to Drury-lane Theatre, and applied otr the King's side for a private box, but was informed that there was not one on that side, except in the second tier. He was advised to try on the Prince's side, and was let through the house to save the trouble of going round. He there saw the prisoner, who said he could put him into the Duke of Gloucester's box. Mr. Turner thought this would be more expensive than any other, and ask ed what he should have to pay? but the answer was, " any, thimg you please, Sir." The prisoner requested him net to bring the party through the house—he had a reason for it he said, but take them round to the door in Vinegar-yard. This was done, and in a few moments the party found themselves snugly seated in the Duke of Gloucester's box. Mr. Turner gave the prisoner two guineas. In the book the following morning there was this entry—" Duke of Gloucester's box, four persons," but no money was accounted for, and Mr. Elliston thought that the party had come with his Royal Highness's ticket. It happened however that Mr. Turner, upon reflection the next day,thought there was something wrong in the matter, and he wrote to Mr. Elliston, when of course the fraud was discovered._ Mr. Elliston stated, that by the terms of his agreement with the Duke of Gloucester, the box belonged to his Royal High ness one week and to himself the other. It happened that the last week was the Duke's week, and it would therefore be a question whether the prisoner had defrauded him.—Sir R. BIRNIE had no doubt upon the subject. The parties went with the intention of paying Mr. Elliston for the use of a pri vate box, and by the trick of the prisoner that money was kept out of the coffers of the Theatre.—The prisoner was remanded. It appears by a letter from Long Island, N ew York,dated the 19th of December, that the Rev. Mr. COLTON, about whose disappearance th'are has been so maul silly reports, has arrived in the United States. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Veneris, 6 0 die Februarii, 1824. Iscr.osuit Es--Ulceby (Lincoln)—Petition for Bill referred t i) a Committee. Chindley (Derby), and Alton (Stafford)' Bills ordered to be brought in. GAS LlGHT—Dublin, and Edinburgh.—Petitions for Bills re ° ferred to Committees. Manchester—Bill ordered to b e brought in. RGA D—Nantwich, and Glossop BRIDGE—Lary (Act Amendment) I Petitions for Bills r e ' Poo'—Stow Hundred • furred to Committees , IMPROVEMENT—WaIsaII • I COMMUTATION OF TITLIES.IhedS PUBLIC RICORDS (Ireland) —Address Tor «Copies of t lle . Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thi r t eent h R eports on the Pub,,," Records of Ireland." Coal. DwriEs—Petitions against the Duty' on Coals carrie d Coastwise, from Fiandford, Edmonton, Enfield, Broad street Ward, and N or th am ; to li e on the table: petitiorl from Crediton, to lie on the table, and to be printed. ELECTlON—Bossiney Borough—Petition of Edward 800 Tunno, Esq., complaining of that Election; to be taken ib t l consideration upon Tue s d a y th e 27 t h day of April next, i! three o'clock in the afternoon ; and Mr. Speaker to issue his warrants for persons, papers, and records. ORDERS OF TUE DAY FOR MONDAY. 1. -Motion for a Supply—Committee thereupon. 2. Law Courts (Ireland) Act [1 and 2 Geo. 4, c. 53], AIIOW' antes to Officers —Committee thereupon. NOTICES OF MOTIONS FOR MONDAY. 1. Sir John Wrottesley—Aceoun t of the value of Silver so" Copper Coin at present in circulation. 2. Mr. Martin (of Galway)Bill to amend Act of last Session , respecting the cruel treatment of Cattle. 3. Mr. Martin (of Gilway)—Bill to prevent Bear-baiting, 0 4 other cruel. practices. NOTICES GIVEN YESTERDAY. Tuesday, Feb. IU. 1. Lord Viscount Althorp—Papers respecting Grand Jury AP sessments in Ireland. Accounts of Benefice.s and Church Lands ; and Roman Catholic Barristers in Ireland. 2. Mr. Serjeant Onslow—Bill to repeal the Usury Laws. Thursday, Feb. 12. Lord Nugent-LConduct of his Alajesty's Ministers, with re' ferrence to their professed ►:eutrality between France at Spain. _ _ Wednesday, Feb IS. Dr. Lushington —Bill to consolidate Laws regarding the Abolition of the Slave Trade. Monday, - Feb. 23. Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer—statement relating to the Finances of the Country. (In Committer; of Wa) s and -Means. Thursday, March 4. .Mr. Calcraft—Repeal of the Leather Tax. (Deferred frog' Feb. 2v. ) Tuesday, March 9. 1. Mr. Hume—Committee to consider of the Church Establish ment in Ireland. 2. Dr. Lushington—Consideration of the Criminal Laws, with a view of amending certain parts thereof. Thursday, March 11. Lord John Russell—Motion on Papers containing assur ances for the evacuation of Spain by the French Troops. - - - Tuesday, May 4. -Mr. Leader Maberley--Motion regarding the employment of the population of Ireland. Thursday, May 6. Mr. Maberley—Mode of Collection of Beer and Malt Duties• NEW EVENING PAPER. Just published, and may be had of all Newsmen in Town and Country, THE EVENING CHRONICLE.— The Proprietor of this Journal Li independent of pledges to any Party ; and the Editors are men who are determined to try the experiment of a perfectly free and. impartial Paper in the British Metropolis. They will he moderate in their m o de of expressing their 'sentiments, though firm and immoveable in their attachment to principles. They are friends of their country, and advocates of the freedom and happiness of the whole human race. •They invite the British Public to examine the Paper for themselves, and give it chat degree or s u pport which they' conceive it honestly merits. Printed by B. Bensley,'Bolt-court, Fleet -street, where Corny munications for the Editor may be addressed ; and published . by Edward flathway, No. 1, Catherine -street, in the Strand, where Advertisements and Orders for the Paper will be received. PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT TWO O'CLOCK. Bank Stock 2381 India Stock 2 76 3 per Cent. Red. New 3 per C en t . C ons 90itif South Sea Sto c k - 3i per Cent -1061 a Ditto Small --Old Annuities 4 per Cent. -- I Old 1024i EL Bills. 34 51 5 per Cents. 1797 Bank for Act. -- Bank Long Ann. 22 7-16tha i India for Con. Acct. Imp. 3 per Cents. j Cons. for Act. 91 90i PRICE of FOREIGN STOCKS ix LONDON, Fss• 71, AT ONI O'CLOCK. f Five per Cents. 00. ( Scrip, 83 pm. ( Six pet Cents. 00. Five per Cents. (Metallic) 00. (Ditto New 904. Five per Cent. Bonds, 00. Scrip, 61 gem. Five per Cent. Bonds, 1820, 00. Spanish Ditto 1821, 24g. Ditto 1823, 1 161. Prussian f Five per Cent. Bonds, '92i.' IDitto New, 901. Danish Five per Cent. Bonds, 964. Portuguese 87k. Peruvian New Loan, 00. Chili 78. Colombian Six per Cent. Bonds, 71. Mexican Loan, 53 prem. Poyais f 00. ( New, 4. Mexican Mines 93 prem. Bank Shares £23 155.—.£23 17s. 6d. Seven per Cent. 94 95. American ISix per C , ..nt. 94 —lOl. Five per Cent. 00-000. Three per Cent. 763. French Russian Neapolitan Austrian HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE TO-MORROW. Morning, 8 minutes after 7. 1 Evening, 39 minutes after 7- THE SUN. SOLEII QUIS DICERE FALSUM 4UDE4T LONDON. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, MN. The remaining Paris Journals of Wednesday arrived but night. The following is the.only paragraph in them worth extracting : " MADRID, JAIL 30.—A report has been spread of a vio lent insurrection in the Philippine Islands last summer. The Government has received a particular account of it." FRENCH Funs, PARIS, FEB. 4.—Five per Cents. opened at 96. 25., closed at 96. 55. ; Loan of 1823; 8i ; Bank Stock, 1660 ; Neapolitan Rents, 811 ; Spanish Rentes, ; R o yal . Spanish Loan, 60. Exchange on London, one month, 25. 45. ; 2 ditto, 25. 35.—( Coors Authentique. ) THE G 2EEKS.—A letter from Trieste, dated the 19th of January, states that advises have bee❑ received of the arrival of PrinCe NlAußoconoArro before Patraw, with .a,division of the, Greek fleet, which blockaded the port by sea, while an army under COLOCOTRONI invested the fortress on the laud-side. The Turkish Governor YOUSSOUF" lyi cv' ins Po ' II I Su r the 1 , „ 1 . lisp to l e Ito, text