The Sun. — London, England, 1830-12-21 00:00:00

and maliciously to set fire to any church or chapel, or to any chapel for the religious worship of dissenters duly registered, or to soy house, stable, coach-house, outhouse, warehouse, office, shop, mill, malamute, hopeoest, barn, or granary, or to any building or erection used in carry ing on any trade or manufacture, or any hraoch thereof, whether the same or any of them respectively shall then be in the possession of the offender or in the possession of any other person with intent thereby to injure or defraud any person. The 17th section renders it also a capital offence " unlawfully and maliciously to set fire to any stack of corn, grain, pulse, straw, hay, or wood."-- And the latter part of the same section subjects any person who shall unlawfully end maliciously set fire to any crops of corn, grain, or pulse, whether standing or cut down, or to any part of a wood, coppice, or plantation of trees, er to any heath, gorse, forte, or fern, whereeoevei growing, to transportation for seven year*, or to impri sonment for any tern tint exceeding two years, according to the discretion of the Court before Whom the offender shall he tried. Before I close this head of crime, it may be useful to advert to the operations which the law has reeently undergone. The 7th Gen. IV., t. 64., see. 9, enacts that if any person shall counsel, lwecure, or com mand any other venom to commit toy felony, whether the mute be a fehmy at common law or by virtue of any statute made, or to be made, the lemon so counselling, retelling, or commanding, shall tie deemed guilty of aelony, and may be indicted and convicted, either as an accessory before the fact to the principal felony, together with the principal felon, or may be indicted at convicted of a euhstantive felony, whether the principal felon shall Lave been pre- Viously convicted, or shall or shall Wet lie amenable to justice ; and if the offence of the accessory be committed in one county, and if the offence of the principal in an other, the accessory may be tried in either. 1 ptoceed to the next class of ewes, comprising robbery from the per son., and robbery or stealing in dwelling-houses. Robbery from the person is suleect to a capital punishment by the 7deand tatli Geo. IV., chapter 29, sect. 6, which, in accordance with the provisioue of a former testele, enacts, tha; if any person shall rob any other peteon of Any chattel, money, or valuable security, every such offender, being convicted thereof, shall stiffer death as a felon. And, by. the general provisions of section 61, principals in the second degree, and accessories before the fact, are punishable with death, as principals in the first degree,' anti accessories after the fact (except receivers of titehen property) are liable to imprisonment fur two years. To you it may be unnecessary to observe chat principals in time first degree are those Who have actually, and with their own bends, committed the fact. Principals in the second degree, are those who were pre- , sent siding and abetting at the commission of the fact, and have been more generally teemed eiders and abetters. An accessory before the fact Is he who, being absent at the time the offence is committed, sloth yet procure, counsel, or command, any other to sommit a felony. An accessory after the fact, is a person who, knowing a felony to have been committed by another, receives, relieves, comforts, or assists the felon. As connected with tot,bery from the person, it may be well to observe, that the latter part of thus pante section, sir. the 6th section of the 7th and 2th of Geo. IV., chap. 29, Plaices—that if any person shall steal any such such property as described therein, from the person of another, or ;hall assault him with intent to rob, or shall with menaces or roma demand any such property with intent to steal the same, although the robbery be not completed, nor any property in fact taken, the offender is LIMN on conviction e to be transported for life, or for any term not lees than seveet years, or to be imprisoned for a term not exceeding four years, with public or private whipping, tabu ouperadded in the discretion of the Court. With respect to robbery or stealing in dwellitig-houtes, being the last branch of capital felonies I have proposed to consider, I would direct your attention to the 12th section of the 7th and Hilt George lar. chap. 29, which inflicts the penalty of death on any person who shall break and eater any dwelling-house, and steal therein any chattel, :matey, or valuable security to any value whatever, or shall ,teal any such property in any dwelling-house, any pecan therein being put in fear, or shall feted in any dwelling.houste any chattel, money, or valuable security to the value of W. or: more. Although the late requires a breaking, (which in the ordinary sense of that word may be taken to mean the forcing a door or window, &e.), as essential to the completion of the offence, yet it has been tit:termitic{ that a breaking, by construction of law, will be auffieent, where an entrance into the house is obtained by intimidation, fraud, or cooepirecy. Having concluded ray ; observation's.. on the present state of the law, as ap plicable to the capital felonies which you will probably baize eateeasiete to consider, I shall eddtess myself to the taro reerieining offences...vie., lon, the sending of threaten tog letters; 2dly, the destruction of machinery. Upon the *object Of threatening lettere, there are now two Sta. totes ettly, the 4th of Geo. IV., c. Me and 7th and Bth Glaris. c. 29, to which it can be necessary to refer for an exposition of duelist! relating to them. By the former Statute. it is enacted, " That if any person shall, know. hi* or wilfully,. send or deliver any letter or writing, with or withoutany name or signature subscribed thereto, tar with a fictitious name or signature, threatening to kill or murder any of his Majesty's subjects, or to burn or destroy his or their houses, outhouses, hams, stables, stacks of corn or grain, hay or straw, or shall procure, counsel, eat or abet the commission of the said offences, shall be adjudged guilty of felony, and shall be liable, at the dis cretion of the Court, to be transported beyond the seas for life, or for such term as the Court shall ad judge, or be imprisoned for any term not exceed ing seven years, and kept to hard labour." By a former Statute of the 27th Geo. II , c. 15, the mune of. fence was eubjected to the penalty of death ; but that Act being thought too severe, the latter Statute, after reciting the expediency of affixing to the same crime a lesser degree of punishment, retains the offence in the very terms con• tainted. in the former Act, but reduces the punehment of death to transportation. The only remaino4l class of or , fames upon which I propos e t o tr o uble you with any on. vereationt relate to the destruction and damage of ne t:Winery. Thu 4th section of the Act, pasted in t h e and fith of Gvo. IV. c. 30, for etneolitlating mud umetel ing the liws of Bradawl relative to malicious injuries to prole rty, cootaine provisions framed for the express pur pose of interesting thrashing machine* or any other ma chine or engine, whether fixed or movable, Inquired for or employed in any manufacture whatsoever, with the ex teeptien of certain manufactures specially exempted from the operation of that section. It enacts that any person who shall unlawfully and maliciously cut, break, or, de *troy, or damage, with intent to destroy, or to render mob**, any thrashing-molting or engine, whether, fixed sr moveable, prepared for or employed in any manufacture whattoover, except the manufactures therein specially ex. etiipted; shell but liable to be transpated fir Haven years, re to be imprisoned for any term not exceeding two years. If the thrashing-machines shall appear to have leen taken to pieces by their owners, from apprehension of dilutor ar any other cause, but with the intention of putting iltien together again fur use, the different parts of the , nachine, whilst separated, are equally, I conceive, under the protection of the Act as the machine itself in its complete state. And although the epithet " maliciously" 6 teed, the Statute. expressly declares it is net neces retry, in prosecutions founded upon this Act, to ea- Aisfy altos that the offender was instigated by malice. ha-ve, thought it right to give you very full extract* from the ettentesboak, of the present state of the laws as appli „cable to the various offences in your Wender. I would willingly hope that this melancholy catalogue has not been swollen by ,any want of the meet prompt, reeolutei and un eennpromitting exertions of the magistracy anal gentlemen of property and icfluenee in every departmeut of the county. Be insured there cart he no compromise or capitulation w i t h crime. The first concession to numbers tumultuostely es trembled in breach of the law, serves only to excite a keener thirst for plunder, anti to increase the spirit of resistances to the oonetitutea authorities of thus land. It may produce a momentary suspension (cessation 1 cermet call it) of hos tilities, with the Wilma certain and speedy return with augmented numbers and increseing fury to further mat of outrage and aggression at a more convenient season. At the conclusion of the charge, which took an hour stud time minute* in the delivery, the Grand Jury retired to their chamber to consider the different hills of iudict , meet which might be presented to them. At twelve o'clock, the foreman of the Grand Jury, Sir G. W. Rote, aceoropenied by his fellows, came into Court, and returned a true bill against James Thomas Cooper, and ail ether persons, for riotoutly and tumultuously as. serobling on the 231 of November, at Fordingbridge, and desteoying certain machinery at that place, the property of 11vesrs. Thompson and others, The premiere went istion after placed in the dock in the fattening miler 1,--James Thomas Cooper, aged 33 ; George (.'harks, ; joseph Goulding, 23 ; George ,3loody, 113; John &Told, b 0 ; William Webb, 21 ; &owe, Quietus, 20 'Wi ll iam Nw eman, 22 ; Joseph 26 ; 14'i ll ieen *dente, 27; Weary Elcidge, 23 ; julta 1 e abet , 114 ; Charles Reid, ; and Charles Ropier, its. The hodietnent was read over to them, abd they severally pleadeel" Not Guilty." The vetoer Cooper is a middle-sized man, of a Pa"- IlealY heavy, *den, and letenious aspect. lie is said to 1,„ a eipsey, and de datk tete of his complexion renders the supportition very proliable. Ile has not the slightest appearance of a lobouter itt - husbandry, and hit dives was that of a London mechanise of the bettor eider. • George Clarke is it fine, tall, active young man, with a countenance. which exhibits great determination, without the slightest mixture of ferocity. There is, however, a strong expressien of cunning in his eye. He was dressed in a carter'. frock, end with that degree of smartness which generally indicates a rust►c Lnthario. He conversed fre4, , , with Cooper during the trial, and betrayed no sense of the danger of his situation. The other prisoners, with one exception, were all in the dress of agricultural ' labourers, and exhibited no marks of distress in their per sonal appearance. The old man, Fulford, seemed to take intense interest in all parts of the evidence which affected hint, and displayed it by leaning prominently over the bars of the dock whenever his name was mentioned. Webb was dressed in a smart blue coat with gilt buttons, and had the appearance of a gentleman's valet out of place. The dock was quite filled by their presence. They were ranged is three rows. After the petty Jury was empanelled, the Clerk of the Indictments read the indictment. The first count charged the prisoners with having on the 23d of November last, at the parish of Fordingbridge, mike fully. riotously, and tumultuously assembled together, and with having unlaw fully, feloniously, and with three demolished and destroyed certain machinery employed in a sacking-manufactory, the property of Samuel Thompson and others. The second antrt charged them with having begun to demolish and destroy it. There were other four counts, stating the same accusation in different ways against the prisoners. The .ATTORNRY..GIENIRAL then rose for the prosecu tion. He told the Jury that it appealed from the evidence which he ehoehl have to lay before then], that all these prisoner, assembled together on the 23d of November last, and came from a little distance from the town of Fording bridge into it ; that they were under the guidance and direction of the first prisoner named in the indictment, James Thomas Cooper; that they ekpressed their inten tion of coming into Fordingbridge some time before they executed it; and that they executed it at last in the mariner which the Jury would hear from the different witnesses. The circumstances which he had already tie. wiled to them would prove that the plan of the prisoners was deliberately formed. He would also show the Jury that Mr. Thompson had met with the prisoners on the road to Fordingbridge, and remonstrated with them on the subject of the conduct which they avowed themselves deter mined to pursue. The first person on the indictment, James Thomas Cooper, a person of whom be could not give them any clear account, did not belong to that neighbourhood, —nor, indeed, to Hampshire. Indeed, he would fairly own ta them that he could not give them any history of that prisoner. He would, however, prove to them, that that man, Cooper, was at the head of this tumultuous as. eernbly,—that he was on horseback,—that he took upon himself the management of its proceeding,—and that when retionstrances were made to him respecting its con duct, be admitted himself to have power to controul it. Cooper was told, when the first attempt was made to de bony the machinery belonging to Air. Thompson, that the injury which he would inflict upon property would be great, —nay, more, that it would throw no less than 100 persons out of employment. He stated that he cared not for consequences; and that if 5001. were offered him not to destroy that machinery, still destroy it he would. The Jury would also find the prisoner Cooper, after the act of destruction WAS completed, sharing considerable sums of money with the persons assembled around him ; and though some of those persons :night be affected with less moral guilt than others, in the eye of the law they were all, by being present, equally guilty. He would prove to the Jury that the prisoners were armed with bludgeons, axes, saws, and other instruments, calculated to produce tenor. Ile would prove that they told Cooper that he was not to be interfered with—that they bad placed themselves in his hands,-...that they were convinced that he was the real gentleman, and that they had unlimited confidence in his guidance. The Jury would likewise find that these un fortunate men had committed acts of violence and outrage, —that when they were remiss, Cooper had excited them to greater exertions,—and that lie bad employed the power which be wielded over them, to lead them to all kinds of devastation and mischief. Stephen Witt examined by Mr. Serjeant Wane--I live at East Mill, Fordingbridge, where I carry on the bu siness of a miller. lam in habit of attending Sails bury market. In going there on the 23d of November last I met Joseph Arney on the road, scraping the dirt. I knew him before that time, and he knew me as an inha• bitant of Fordingbridge. He told me that if I did not look sharp the factory would be beat down before I re turned from the market. My house adjoins the factory. After my return home, and about four o'clock in the after noon, I observed a large mob coming in all directions to wards East Mill. Several of them had bludgeons in their hands. • I. saw Eldridge and Joseph Amy among them. They were almost the two first who went to the factory. 'There were about 200 persons in the mob. After they entered the machinery was destroyed. When I first saw the factory that day, the windows were all of them nearly whole; but after the mob visited the factory there were scarcely any unbroken. The mob were in the mill for 40 minutes. It gave employment to sixty hands or loom I remained outside of the lactory till the mob came out. They. then dispersed in different• directions, some going across the fields an they had come. There was one men of them on horseback. I have no doubt Janice Thomas Cooper (looking at that prisoner) is that man. When Cooper came first, be shook bands with UM I said, " For God's sake don't destroy this machinery, for it is a good thing for the parish of Fordingbridge, as it employs so many poor children." He said that he would not destroy it if I would give him some money. I asked bow much I should give him? Ile said, "If I would give hint a sovereign he' would not do it." I said that I would give him a sove reign or more if he would not destroy it. I took a sove reign in my band to give it to him, and he went on towards the door of the factory. There was nothing more said about money after thut—for he went away whilst I was talking to him. I don't think that be knew that I offered hint a sovereign. Michael Lister Street, examined by Mr. For.LET—I keep the Greyhound at Fordinglnidge. I remember the 23,1 of November. A mob came to my house at half-past two that day. There were two came a quarter of an hour befere the others—John 'Aarond cidentified the pri-. toner Fo!ford) and his ton; be came to my house with a piece of breast and cheese in his hand, and said, " Master, bring me a pot of beer in a minute at your expence." I did so. He said they had been breaking machines all that day, and he was then going to East-mill factory to destroy it. I asked him if they were going to hurt any o f th e inhabitants of the town, and he said they were not going to hurt a hair of the head of any of them, but only to break the machines. I asked him what he thought would come after that? Ho said they might put them to prison if they would. Tho mob came up soon after, to the number of upwards of 300, and rushed into my house. I did not see liulford then. The foreman, who called himself Captain Hunt, came up. (Identified Cooper as that person, but said he was much altered.) lie ordered a pound note's worth of beer from the house immediately. He was on horseback. The mob cane in to my house, opened the cupboards, and took every eatable in them. Captain Hunt (Cooper) came to my house after the mill was destroyed. This was about five or six. Some part of the mob remained behind after the great number went away. Those who milled into my house had 3/. or 4/. worth of beer. The rest went away with Captain Hunt. lie afterwards came back with a mob, came Into my tap. room and paid some of the mob some money. Witness here identified Webb, who called himself captain of my cellar. I never saw hint (Webb) till I saw him drawing my beer, Ile drew three buckets full. John Chub, examined by Mr. Mesststo—l am a yen man. I remember the 2sd of November. A man named Hunt mime to my house, near Fordingbridge, with about three hundred persons. I know some of them here. (Iden tified Joseph Miley, Charles Read, and Cooper.) They remained at my house for about ten minutes. Cooper de manded victual* and drink for his company. I told him I had not sufficient in soy house for one-fourth of that nom her. They dentanded a sovereign, tad I said I would not give it. Cooper then said, " Silencer to the mob, and said " If that gentleman does not give us a sovereign, let us go to work, lads." They left ant at about a quarter past two. They then went on to the next farm, on the way to East-mill. James Pope, examined by Mr. Miseries—l was at Fordingbridge on the 23il of November lest. I knew Fulford. (Identified him.) I sate him on that day. I beend him say to a gentlemen who desired him not to beat down the factory, " You. shall see the guts of it out in two hours." There were several others there at the time. I saw Henry Eldridge. (Identified the prisoner of that name.) lie was the first man that went into the factory. I saw u man on horseback at the mill. He called himself Hunt —(ldentified Cooper.) I saw him on horseback while the breaking was going on. Jonah Thompson, examined by the Arrottlerv.Gmtx- RAL on his affirmation, being a member of the Society of Friends. My brother is owner of East-mill. It is /Or the purpose of weaving sacks. 1 went out on the day it was destroyed. I went before the mob came up. I met a large mob, and a person on horseback riding at their head.. There were, I think, between three and 600 persons pre seat in the mob. I know the person who rude on horse back. (Identified Cooper as the man.) 1 said, My friend, may I ask what you are going to do?" He said, -1 4 We are going to the factory to destroy the machinery," or words to that effect. I expressed a hope that they would not do it, and they would be all, sorry for it when they thought more about it, if they did it. I don't remember what he said, the noise was so great. He soon after said I should be heard, and I addressed the whole body for about five minutes to dissuade them. The people became very clamorous to go on, and he said to them, " Attend to me," and waved his hand—" let every man stand to his colours, and go on." I wag near enough to bear him quite well. All the persons I was surrounded by were armed with large sticks. I ear: a man with a saw. He and three others prevented me from following Cooper. They said " You shall not ride with our leader." I pointed out to the people the consequences of breaking the mill, and they said "It is of no nse to talk to us ; you must talk to our leader, who is a real gentlemen, and we will do what he orders us to do." This was not in Cooper's hearing. Witness then went on to describe the destruc tion of the machinery.] I heard a horn blown after the destruction was finished. . ..... Samuel • Thompson, the owner of the mill, proved that the damage done to the machinery and premises was up wards of 1,000/. The machinery was fixed to the building. This was the case for the prosecution. Cooper, when called on for his defence, put in a writ ten paper, in which be said he could have had no object in taking any part in the disturbances, fur he did not be long to that class which was suffering great distress. But if the Jury believed him guilty of this charge they must believe that he had committed a capital felony without any object or motive. George Clarke said—lt is all false against ine. Joseph Goulding—lt is false, I was not in the factory. John Fulford—l throw myself on the mercy of the Court. Wm. Webb, Wm. Newman, and Samuel Queroin, con tented themselves with a simple denial of their guilt. Joseph Arney—l was obliged to go by the mob. Henry Eldritlge—l was pressed from my work, and was obliged to go. John Kinober—l was not in the factory, but was forced to join the crowd. _ Charles Read--I was pressed on the road, and was ob liged to go. Charles Hsyter—l was in liquor when I spoke about the manufactory. The COURT would not call upon George Moody and Wm. Arney for any defence, as no case had been made out against them. Cooper then called the following evidence:— William Mussell—l ant landlord of the Three Crowns at Wadden, in this county. Prisoner lived with me as ostler fcr the last two months. On the 23d of November I recommended him to take Arne sheep from near the King's Head to Redledge, a place about three miles distant. He went on horseback. He rode my horse. The bridle was broken. He always bore a good character while with me. By Mr. Justice PARKE—Prisoner is a Wiltshire man. He came to me from East Grinstead. I have known bim 13 years. John Perkins—l know the prisoner. I saw him on the 23d of November. Ile brought two lambs for me to take in fur another man. It was about a quarter before eight o'clock. We were talking about the mob, and he said i t would not hurt you or me. I have known the prisoner seven years, and his father and mother and his family. 1 always heard he conducted himself us a respectable man ; but I don't live near him, We live seven or eight miles apart. Mr. Baron VAUGHAN summed up, and The Jury returned a verdict of Guilty against J. T. Cooper, G. Clarke, J. Fulford, S. Quinten, H. Eldridge, Charles Read, Charles Haytor, and J. Arney ; and of Not Guilty in favour of W. Webb, J. Goulding, W. Arney, J. Kiniher, G. Moody, and W. Newman. No sentence was pronounced against the prisoners found Guilty. Thu verdict was delivered at ten minutes past nine o'clock. The Court then adjourned till nine o'clock tomorrow morning. Mr. Justice PARKE declared that be should sit to try prisoners in the Nisi Prius Court to-morrow. This will enable the Commission to proceed with double rapidity in the t►ial of prisoners. When the verdict of Guilty was declared against Cooper, he was so much unmoved as to turn round and smile at his fellow-prisoner, Clarke. COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL. A Court of Common Council was held yesterday at Guildhall, which was very numerously attended. The Gresham Committee presented a report of their exertions in endeavouring to procure the Gresham Lectures more available for the benefit of the public; upon which the Court referred it to a Special Committee to consider the 4epti the Corporation ought to adopt for ensuring so beneficial a measure. SIP. CLAUDIUS STEPIIKIJ MINTED. AND THE LONDON MII.ITIA. Mr. CUARLES PEARSON WAS most anxious to draw the attention of the Court to a most important subject, which stood upon the paper of business, an inquiry respecting the receipt and expenditure of what was termed the Trophy Tax, an impost wrung from the pockets of the citizens of London, fur the purpose of supporting that contemptible humbug of shreds and patches constituted the Lon don Militia ; as, however, his remarks would press somewhat heavily upon the Colonel (Sir C. S. blunter), he was desirous that the Gallant Colonel should be present upon the discussion, and had written to him accordingly. Sir Claudius bad, however, informed him (Mr. Pearson) that he WAS actively engaged upon public service in the disturbed districts—(Hear, hear, and laughter)—and re ferred hint to a letter which he (Sir Claudius) bad written to the Lord Mayor on the subject ; that letter his Lordship would be good enough to have read. The Loan MAyoa here produced the letter, which was read as well as the Town Clerk could get through it, amidst the roars of laughter of the whole Court.--The following is a literal copy : " Mortimer, near Reading, Dec. 11, "My Lord,—l have received a letter from Mr. Pearson, stat. jug his intention to say something about the Royal London Mi. litia and myself; as the Colonel. lam curry 1 cannot be there; amongst other reftiollll, the disturbed state of the counties of Hants and Berks ' for both of which I am an active Magistrate —(Loud laughter)—and the alarming tires that surround us call for hourly care, and as London is in comparative peace— (Laughter)-1 prekr staying where I can du the most public good.—(Roars of lungi.ter.) " 1 know Mr. Pearson me greatly mistaken in his views of the militia and myself, and he may he led by mischievous people to make statements which are altogether untrue. one lie spoke to me about the other day, that 1 received 100/. a year for pitying the men. Now I never paid a man in my life.—(Ekeessive laughter.)—There is lOU a year allowed me by the Lieutenancy to find repairs, coals, candles, and the pay of certain servants, for the care of headquarters, and fur the supply of °Blur mat. term, and I know of no oilier money whatever. When the mis. chief is over hereabouts—(Loud laughter)—and I am released front my attendance at Winchester, whither 1 must go on Batur. day next, having Billy committed 22 poor men for capital felonies—(hears of laughter)-1 shall be happy to conic to Lem don awl explain to a Committee of the Court all that 1 know on the subject. 1 must add that 1 have had in former times much reason to respect that Court, and 1 ardently hope I may have reason to respect and regard it again. lam with great respect and affixtion—(Laughter)—your Lordship's faithful humble ser. rant, . 6 CLAUDIUS S. HUNTER," When the letter had been read, Mr. CUARLES PEARSON said it was impossible, after such a statement, for him to press the consideration of the question in the absence of the Gallant Colonel, who, ac cording to his own account of himself, was so actively employed in the performance of his magisterial duties in the disturbed districts.—(Hear and laughter.)—He Mr. Pearson), however, pledged himself that he would take the earliest opportunity after the re-assembling of the Court,. to bring the whole tnatter forward, when he would show that this London Militia bad been fur many years one of the most barefaced jobs, by which, In fourteen years, since the peace, 15,000/. had been taken from the citizens for no earthly purpose but to suatain a piece of contemptible mockery, in which the Gallant Colonel's fully was not the most prominent feature of the part he had played in the business..—.(Hear, bear.) The Court adjourned at a late hour, The Hon. and ltev. Dr. GratALD VALE RIAN WE'LLWSLEY ie Rector of Chelsea ; Rector of flishop`v Wearmoutb, with u stall in Durham, Hector of Therfield, Herta, and Chaplain of Hampton Court.-- Morning Paper.—This 'Reverend Plurahat is brother to the Duke Of WELLINGTON. While BRUCE, the traveller, one day was at the house of a relation in East Lothian, a gentleman pre sent bluntly observed, that it WM; impossible that the na tives of Abyssinia could eat taw meat. BAllelt said not a ward, but leaving the roam, he shortly ret urne d f rom th e kitchen with a piece of raw beef steak, peppered and silted in the Abyasinisn fashion. " You %ill eat that, Sir, or fight met ., h e "id. When the gentleman hail eaten up the raw flesh (most willingly would he have eaten his words instead), Batten calmly observed, "Now, Sir, you will never again say it is i mp o ssibls."—Murray's Family Libretry) EDINBURGH REPORNI PrriTtow.--At two o'clock yesterday the aignaturea amounted to 23,000, and before the subscription papers are finally closed this even ing. there will be at least a thousand added. Sanguine as we were, wo scarcely expected such a number of names. As Edinburgh, apart from Leith, contains about 130,000 inhabitants, or 32,000 adult males, the signatures are actually equal in number to three-fourths of all Persona who are qualified to sign. It may be safely said,, that so great a proportion of the people never express an opinion unless it prevails almost unanimously amongst tb. popul* Scotsman of Saturday.; LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 21, MO. Sir R. PEEL'S remarks last night on the three great principles to which Earl GREY'S Administra tion are pledged, namely, Reform, Economy, and the maintenance of Peace, ore such at will not ma terially elevate his character as a Statesman in the estimation of the country. They are marked, indeed, by a Jesuitical affectation of candour, but breathe the spirit of a mean illiberal distrust. The Right Hon. Gentleman expressed his doubts whether the present Ministry would be able to effect a greater reduction in the public burdens than the lair, and hinted his apprehensions that the strength which the former possessed " to carry on the Government was not too great." Despite this unworthy sneer, we can assure the Right Hon. Gentleman that Earl GREY'S Administration has little to fear from in terested and factious opposition. Lt is strong in the confidence of the country, grounded on the securest of all foundations, the sterling ex cellence of its principles. It is strengthened and retained in office by the very same power that drove the Right Hon. Gentleman out of it, and now enables hi m to enjoy that retirement which he professes so much to relish, namely, the resistless force of public opinion. We are too sincerely his well-wishers to desire to see his present privacy disturbed If he waits until the country calls on hint to resume office, we have the satisfaction of assuring him that he need entertain no uneasiness on the subject; his retirement Is likely to be of as long continuance as he can possibly desire. With regard to the Right lion. Gentleman's remarks on the maintenance of peace, and above all, on the late glorious revolutions at Paris and Brussels, we shall content ourselves with asserting that they are wholly unworthy the character of a great Statesman.— Would Lord CIIATUAIII-.-.would PITT.--Would CAN NING have condescended to deprecate (even indi rectly) the resistance of high-spirited nations to the tyranny that crushed them to earth, merely be cause trade would thereby experience a fluctuation ? Would they have thought of the ledger when the free dom of Europe was at stake; or allowed the somewhat deteriorated balance sheet of the one to outweigh the claims of the other ? But the Right Honourable Gentleman is neither a CIIATIIAM,A PITT, nor a CAN. NINo. The commercial character is still upper most in his mind. He takes a tradesmanlike view of a revolution, and thinks only how he may en hance the balance-sheet of commerce, while others are struggling to improve the moral and intellectual destinies of mankind. An interesting discussion took place, last night, in the House of Commons, on the subject of the new Irish judicial appointments. Mr. G. DAWSON led the way by expressing his astonishment that Lord PLUNKETT had been selected to fill the office of Chancellor, chiefly on account of his politics. The lion. Gentleman added that the " great cause of the satisfaction which Sir ANTHONY HART had given, was his being a Judge totally divested of political bias." There is some truth in this assertion, but not in the sense to which the Ex-Member for Derry would restrict it. Sir ANTHONY was undoubtedly popular, in Ireland, as a Chancellor, but he was so chiefly by comparison. He stood out in direct contrast to his predecessor, Lord MANNERS. The one was active—efficient —experienced ; the other lazy— Shallow—and altogether incompetent as an Equity Lawyer. The polities of Lord MANNERS were ex treme and offensive in their character; those of Sir A. HART, so far as he permitted their display, were temperate, conciliating, and enlightened. If it really b e Me. DAWSON'S opinion that an Irish Chancellor should know no party, how does it happen that he so long of the preserved esm e s Government ov i e o i n i t t s uw with r c d t , MANNERS--the a m A t e NriEsts erl member most self-sufficient lawyer and intolerant party-man compromise, ec aor, n ee from t h a t ever caricatured the Chancery Bench in Ire land ? We do not remember that he ever lifted up his voice against such an appointment, although on Ids own showing the chief virtue of as Irish Chan cellor is Isis absence of political feeling Surely thi Honourable Mereber's patriotic sensibilities must h a ve maintained a severe shock on this occa sion ! That his silence, however, could not have arisen from an anxiety to keep his place—from a is in short, between his conscience and h —is morally impossible : we sco u t t } l monstrous et with disdain I It must ha that happy frame of mind which induces some Ex-Ministers to suppose that abuse is l og i c ; and the expression of disappointed ambition t h e very perfection of eloquence and sarcasm. On the subject of the Irish Chief Baron's intended elevation to the Peerage, the Honourable B M : o m ti b ( c a r t A ‘ fti v u equally s feu s t l e i ictyo iins. . a He st i a n c g cu t s o t r o L c o u rd re this appointment, in consequence of his Lordship's h a ving some years since been one of a minority who charged the Chief Baron with exacting illegal fees . Now, the very circumstance of the Lord Chan cellor having been left in this minolity at once acquits him of inconsistency, inasmuch as it establishes the Chief Baron's innocence, and his own mistaken views on the subject; which he is, no doubt, anxious to take this oppor• tunity of amending. But, granted that Lord BROUGHAM were inconsistent on this occasion, pray who is it that makes the charge ? Who, but en apostate Orangeman,bimself inconsistent to a degree beyond the attainment of ordinary men, who though he had been for years a desperate opponent of the Catholics, turned round at the very first whisper from the Treasury bench, and ranked himself among their staunchest advocates. From such a source a charge of gross - inconsistency comes with peculiar propriety. Sir J. GRAHAM replied to the attack , of the Ex• Member for Derry with much point, and the most unqual:fied success. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE-(THIS DAY.) FROM LLOYD'S. DEAL, Dec. 20.—Wind N,W., blowing strum in squalls.—A ship, reported from London for New South Wales, supposed the Vilselia, pused this morning with loss of anchor and cable. PORTSMOUTH, Dic. 20.—Wind N.W., strong breeze. —Arrived the Diligence and Industry transports, frum Plymouth. FALMOUTH, DEC. 19.-.. Wind W., light airs.—Sailed the Duke of Marlborough packet for Lisbon. PENZANCZ, Dac. 19.—Arrived off port the Jonge Hendrika, from Alexandria. BEISTO4, Dec. 19.—Arrived the Concord, Johns, from Quebec ; Wanderer, from Lisbon ; and Economy, from St. Petersburgh. Homizan, DEC. 19.—Arrived the Belgrave, Fleming, from Brazil; and Mary Ford, Barton, from St. Andrew* New Brunswick. lbarAsT, Drc. 18.—Arrived the Joseph Hums, from irginia; and .Avon, Dicks, from Dalhousie. The Hawk, from Leeds to London, sunk on the Bar nard Sand yesterday. The St. Jean Giroux, from New York, arrived at Brest, with damage, and loss of rudder, bound to Havre. The Betsey and Janet, St. Clnir, is stranded at Castle Donart, Sound of Mull. ilileSs OF STOCKS THIS &Ask ..... 195W . 4% 3 per Cer at. ril. 6osf}jii 3 por Ceqt. shut C,stit OM %i I).tt *usi New s s4 net 4 ant.... ,.. sh l -1 per Cent. 1826 9 4%54 8 Bank Ann. ',Mtn 86 sears 1613-16 iNtto 80 yews India Stuck 13 8 pm. DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK. South Sort Stock shut Old Anntritiea New Ditto Bx. Bine, ZI,(XDO 2d. 17 19 pm Ditto.... ........ Ifd. 17 19 pm. Ditto 757 - 0) 2d. 18 19 pm. Ditto..„.„.. led. 17 19 pm. Ditto cali 24. 17 19 pm. Ditto lid. 17 19 pm. Bank tbr Account ...... 19534 India, for Account Cons. for Jan 29 81N%504 % remits OV POKEIUN FUNDS THIS DAT AT ONE O'CLOCK. Austrian Bonds —lNeapolitan — Brazilian Fond. 55Y4 ,Pertivist, Bonds ihicaos Ayres Bonds — Portuguese Bonds — Milan Ronda ........»........ Prus.sian, Old Colombian Bonds — Ditte, New B9l' Ditto, 1R24 IVA Russian B37 cs illanish elreek Bonds IMO Ditto 1825 . — French Itcntes, sp. c. 87/ 3Oc. Guatimals — Ezehange ...... 26r. 3dc Mexican Bonds ... ......... Ilitto. Jai — --- Exchange.... 35t. 30 PRICES OF SHARKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK. Per Share. Anglo Mex. Min. Co. (1 , 41. at 5/. pm.) X ion Brazilian Imp. Min. Co. (iss. at 5/. pm.) £2O Ditto National ........ ........ lb Protector Insurance C omp ... 24% 25 LI 7 U ettryed, Due. }Arrived. Due. 0 Hamburg 0 Brazil .04 vvvvv 0 0 Holland Buenos Ayres 0 0 Jaznaica•.. .. ** Carthagena. lt • Leeward Islands ... 0 Dublin OOOOO ".. I Flanders • 0 Malta 0 France ........ 1 0 Sweden Cluernseykfersey.. 0 1 Waterford HIGH I A'ATItIt AT LONDON BRIIHIR TO-MORROW. Morning... 41 minutes:titer 6. I Evening... 8 minute. after 7. EDITOR. V Z. will be happy to hear further from his - 1 1- • friend at L--, and to establish an immediate and mutually confidential correspondence with him on the ' , object to which he alludes in his letter. Address, Y. Z., Witliams's Commercial-hall Coffee house, Skinner-street, Snow-hill. LAW INTELLIGENCE.--('PHIS DAY.) COURT OF KING'S BENCH. BOWEN AND OTHERS V. FOX AND OTHERS. The plaintiffs in this case were the owners of a merchant vessel called the Gratitude, and the present action was brought on an agreement with the defendants respecting a voyage to South America. The plaintiffs, however, failed to prove the agreement, and Lord Tenterden in consequence directed a nonsuit.—Plaintiffe nonsuited. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS. The Court was occupied thi whole morning with a cue relating to the infringement of a patent. THE FUNDS.-(THIS DAY.) CITY, TWELVE O'CLOCK. We have been favoured with the following letter from Konigsburg of the Bth of December:-- " You may contradict all statements in regard to com motion' having taken place here. and there is not the least danger of such an occurrence to be apprehended ; nor do we fear that a war with PAHA will take place. The Russian army, of 70,000 men, divides the old Polish provinces, which are disturbed, from the new ones, which hitherto have remained quiet ; but in regard to the distri bution of the 70,000 Russians, it will depend on the in structions from St. Peterrhurgh ; at all events they keep our frontiers secure. Our military Government, without waiting the orders from Berlin, have sent all disposable troops towards the frontier.. We are informed the Poles have already opened their line of Custom-houses on the frontiers, that no impediment should take place in com mercial affairs. THR FUNDS. We have no arrivals this morning. The French mail also remains due, and even should it arrive the estafette will not bring any news of consequence, as it leaves on Sunday, on which day the Eic.Ministers are not tried. The trials by special commission at Winchester are read with interest by the Consols, which left off yesterday at 811 for the ac count, opened at 81i, but soon after the market gave way; when they receded to 811 ; at present they are 814. In the Foreign Market there is scarce a bargain doing. Prices much the same as yesterday. .112 , 161411111 Sank Stock, 10434 5 India Stock, •- a per Cont. Cons. Do. for Account, 81% % Ditto Reduced, 807, 131 FUNDS. 31,1, per Cent. $9% Ditto, New 4 per Cont. lit, SIN India Bona, 8 10 lb/chequer Mills. 17 19 ronmaN FUNDb. Greek, Al 3 Mexican, 35 6 Peruvian, 14% 15 Formosa, 66 40 Prussian, RIMINI, M IX Spanish, 11% 16% Brownian, 554 % fluent», Ayres, Chiller) ON 19 Ceinnibian, 17 Danieh, 55►4 French 5 per Cent. 874 Ditto 9 pot Cent. 57% 11.4LF-PAST ONE. The great Hebrew Synagogue, in Duke's-place, was last night broken ripen, an! robbed by persona as yet un known. They took from the Ark the manuscripts of the laws of Motes, which were richly ornamented with massy silver rollers and bells. With the silver they made off, hut the manuscripts, which were written on parchment, titey tore and cut in several parts, scattering them about the floor. The great loss consists in the manuscripts, which cannot be replaced. The fluctuation in Consols this morning has been about per cent. ; iu the early part of the day they were done at 811, and went up to Sit for the account ; at present they are Sli t. It is reported on the Continent that Prince Coburg, and a eon of the Xing of the French, a:e to be Regents of Belgium. THREB 0' CL 0 CK. Consols for the Account 811 4. FOUR O'CLOCK.—CLOSING PRICES. Consols Danish Ditto for Account 81i Grtok, 1825 — Brazilian Bonds.. 56 Mexican, 1825 — Buenos Ayres.....-. Peruvian - Chinon Ditto — Ru55ian.......... 87 Columbian, 1824 17A- 5pani5h.......... 18 FINE ARTS. NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY.—No. XX; If this work possessed no other recommends . tion than the exquisite beauty of its portrait'', whether regarded as resemblances or as finished specimens of the Fine Arts, it could not fail. to become generally popular—but in addition to these recommendations, it has the further Adm. cage of being supported in its literary depart.. tnents by the tried abilities of Mr. Jerdsn, whose biographical sketches—whose only fault by the bye is their brevity—are simply and feel• ingly written, without parade or any undue is , sumption of learning. COURT CIRCULA.R, The Representatives of the Groat Powers held a con ference OR the affair. of Belgium yesterday afternoon, at the Foreign Office, which was attended by Prince Litton+, the Russian Ambassador; Prince TALLZY/tANO, the French Ambassador; Prince ESTRRHARY, the Austrian Ambassador; Prince 1k ow, the Prussian Minister; Baron WISSERRORG, and Viscount PALURRSTOX. Previous to attending the meeting, Vieconnt PALltia nom had an interview with Earl GRRY at the Tieasury. The conferences held by the Ambassadors and Viscount PaLsteurrow, the preceding afternoon, lasted four Lours. Viscount Gonzsicit and Lord .lonx RUSSELL bsd in. :erviews with Esrl Gaut yesterday. The LORD CHANCELLOR visited VibeOlilat ALTHORY yesterday. The Officers of the Royal Horse Guards gave a grand dinner last evening, at their barracks, in the Regent's Park, to their former Commander, his Royal Highness the Duke of Commits',Ann. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTERSALL'S. Rattler was backed to a considerable amount yesterday, and row several points. The other horses remained firm at thurs. day's prices. The following were the closing prices : THE DKRBY. 13 to 1 apt Lord Sligo's Bras de Fer,;(taken) 14 to 1 apt Lord Jersey's Blunder 14 to 1 apt Lord Jersey's Filagree colt 14 to 1 apt Mt. Ilearchworth's Co'wick lei to 1 apt Mr. W. Chifney's Caleb 17 to 1 apt Lord Exeter's Ilirraus ;,hl to 1 apt Lord Exeter's Bohemian SO to 1 apt Lord Verulain's Vorennes colt 25 to 1 apt Colonel Udny's .Antiope colt '27 to 1 apt Dike of Grafton's Pastille colt 27 to 1 apt Mr. Petre's Rattler (taken) 2000 30 t 4 to 201 apt Sir 84 M r r. j /10 . B w he e i r i b7"s 6 Sir Cre' 'l s h ida c oz :tiato n i : y as envoa l t ( o) t 4 ak istce e o n lu ) :(dtakoenrt:ao. 500 to 10 apt La d d o y x l. o lC ue c ti rt ) t's two 2°912605000 to 1352 1 3° 0 4 aa la itt t t NlFl Co iw'rlla l o w s4V : heea k il , ll(etak.' C iawt i Yi'k r 'enn' eassi linit)lhnSrgi a e n tet : h a e nd p .Z u a b n y y n t: l lnn it l ldd ng the Deftly, Oaks, and St. Leger (taken) 500 even Rome agst cobweb, and Cres.ida 'operate] y (taken) HOWARD'S ILLUSTRATIONS OF SHAKOPEAI IRE Nos. XIX. AND XX. These two numbers, the former of which illus• crates in detail the Comedy of Errors, andihe latter the second and third parts of Henry 64, abound in all the very peculiar characteristics of Mr. Howard's very peculiar styl e, The y seirited, if! original, full of eloquence in the group. ing, and strength in the expression. of character!'. but occasionally defective in the anatomy:6oe human figure ; and invariably so in the illustrr . ; tion of humour. Mr. Howard delineates MO!" peare's tragic incidents and characters ill DOW ' worthy spirit, but his genius is *bread ingifist expressions to humour. He cannot: gra n with a Falstqff, a Pistol, or a. Bardolph. exaggerates them, thinking thereby ff), "PlL er them characteristic, instead of which he as them stiff' and artificial. In the. leuladY . 2 Errors, however, he has been more happy. w an usual. His vivacity is more free sod 'una rli ; barrassed, and consequently mOre,iuctiOrsn" Shaksperisn. In his Illustrations of fie:rY there is much—very much, that calla for an un. the picture. The Duke's qualified commendation. " Glostcr'd4coYo deed " abroad displayed, dead in his bed" is an admirable sod rya' ful commentary on the text. that litipix f . ta hands are and tugged for life, and was br cog' subdued," and the countenances of shs sunders teem with fearful eipresslon. Duchess of Gloucester doing peones, ( 14° ;_f, is equally felicitous in its way, though the al l displayed is of an inferior order, " La d Y zabeth Grey suing to King .Edward for as one that roil late husband's lands," (No. 4), is s Yel r e e c ; ful illustration ; the female figure is sllll3_, itself, and Mr. Howard's own favourite or, who has always shown himself remitarebti cessful in the air of ease and nature thslL,, throws round the female form. Altogedlet present numbers—and we really know nit 7 0 , we can give them higher praise--are equal merit to their predecessors. ALL, A I VIEWS IN DEVONSHI RE, CORNW ----- I RELAND. hi finishetl_oll", Mr. Fisher has done himself hl cr edit a terprising publisher b y the g y s, s o 14 : 1 ' spirited style in which he has brou g ht out the is admirable, particularly as regards IOU!' The views of Cork and its &awed r,orness* y with IS pictorial illustrations. The choice of lodise, and diversified Cove ; of Killarne matchless Lakes ; and more particularly of tb! Giant's Cause way_that most e xtraordiniq faithful in likeness , and finished in execut ee of thes 100 (alo any views we hav e ever seen k 0 ° unrivalled landscapes. We shall compound of the wild and wo nderful--are, 19 of this work with much interest. progrest VIEWS IN TIIE EAST. -PART Lit 0 We have merely to say of this part, 1/7,1j1, said some weeks since of its predecessors, 0'74 that it bears evid ent marks of talent, indulo and experience. ____----. THE CADEAU.--A MUSICAL ALIO' pd We are no great musical proficients ; see wt -ood forte therefore say that having had the g . n o to hear several of the songs in this '' il h vocal album sung , th e y strike u*-- t'1 44 ",.. l, great diffidence — rougho ut sr as possessin vre g simplicity, a ing, and soveetness. I:he words th pretty. , his Wonderful are the of I' 'de n"! ways rovi months ago the Holy Allies,with their brethren alid s ste :: rites, had all continental Europe apparently at their f.: wy were rioting in the inwlence of uncontroolleii poirieorro and of f glorifying themselves, likellui,an sass It, i° rbe ,t 3 f ci:lA'enir security, when all of the sudden the 0:0°.,!-, :11 "me upon them, like the hand -Wrilos-oi the wa r l ' i r , s to X t . .ll them that their days 'ere nu i till' erel :rho that the empire was about to depart fro ui t ' 'el'''' ' n g' r ,, an no longer throw themselves on We of 110 10, ' ll 7 l ,bst soul, take thine ease." "f herr is & oP irit l i b ,, r° , f 11 10 0 ; I haunts them; they see hosts of foes etoroolltes''isiera I they feel that they muit sleep on their go Ike i ibtir going to battle. They hare followed the r 4uPiEll e P ae t ' own will hitherto ; but the firuaest of e' er oo ' l ' l. 64—' 4° now begins to look forward to A day of 1 to say, retribution.—SCOlaynari. Chie f Mtir i it ktroilm.—At Aberdeen thefrofosedht: i 'trite declined to call see no - [_ oi .., ,verunreason, because the to wits ta O t that . 't"t e English of which we atoPrc the . be saw n° resei°n why Clove, unient should taice„ liP e d t measure, and thought itmight better let Irelg el i ogether. This opinion, h .l 's iwt t ort -"Pervlll and the dissent or lukwarrnre'llo'fi an io"-ei:1:11' tel though in uttiee, is not of nitiCh consequence • -14 ha rt sent postute of affairs. For truly runner thiLl s l i s llt P4'"l away ; light is beginning to break in rah spite r:ver penetrated before ;ond the deloiion, which vrai 0i sides fright at the very mime of Reform, i* 1n c4 ,,1f e l iebling to the conviction of the absolute ilecor'albot. ~t , • gng "If bring carried into effect hozoill, fiord ,orn!!'llY• Reform has become As merle a 1111141 e ti t Union among all classes, as ever it Was is 1111(4,, Os frighten...s,_ PtoVe of a certain sort front their prorl'ociyst' ulg at Aberdeen was iininerously and oitth,CAnif;,l tended, there tieing from 300 to 400 regent in or.. ,- If I • z l e l a o l us i e n , who thought the opportunity of tis t ` ltri ol °4l'j the cause well worth the shillieg Pier,' d o or 16 after the example of Edinburgh, was taken et tP defray the ex p e nses.--Scots tnart. ......,„.., _______ ---__________,._......._....... BIRTHS. ..., 1:,4 1 1 On the 18th inst, the lady of G. w• eWts°' of Burcleuch-terract, Cla ton . , of a Don , 1001bef 01 the 18th init. atP Blackheath*, 1 %' 14 ' 1 o f of a son. On the 19th inst. the lady of C. VirilLiniop) 54.' Islington, of a daug hter. WM' el M ABM En, v ~,, - On the 18th inst. at Hampstead, e. .. A1 .1,. We 1 Tring-park, to Helen, I , e cond dinette 0 `"-FA:,I, ( , t Edington, Esq. of Shelley, 4 Kent 1.1. * Al .lAthis,house in Spital-squnr)e, aged Bi. rt ten, nimard r° ao 1 ,1 : sli st ` . 1 . , sof i`oo years Vestry C l er k of r''.4 e'''' i P ...,". ~,( 1.18 00 ' (it DINTED AND PUBLISIIID SY *11.3 11)0 't Hs SOW Orrice, 11*, STRAOPI t2r- i