The Sun. — London, England, 1821-06-14 00:00:00

rAirstitiga of cases intrusted to the Attorney-Ge neral, he contended, ought to be productive of a diminution of expense. The society to which he alluded called itself the Constitutional So ciety, but according to the plain sense of the ,Acts relative to such Associations, he must call it unconstitutional and illegal. The CHANCELLOR of the Excneoutn said, that he did not conceive the vote before the douse had any connection with the proceedings of any Society whatever. 'The fact was, that, the late prosecutions on state considerations had Increased the expenses of that year, but he hoped -tat nothing of the same nature would soon occur again to cause any addition to be made to the ordinary vote. _ After a few words from Sir J. NEWPORT and Waitttr., HumE observed, that in whatever causes the Attorney and Solicitor-General could not at tend, they ought to get some person to attend for them, and should not receive the fees on such oc -casions. He regretted that the Gentleman who was Member for Colchester (Mr. Harvey) in the last Parliament, and who had given so much at tention to the system of the Court of Exchequer, was not then a Member, for if he were present be-was sure he could adduce such arguments as would prevent the Committee from agreeing to the vote. The Iron. Member then begged to ask what was the meaning of one item for retired al lowance to a Solicitor of the Treasury. If he understood who was meant, this person was one 'who had made a large fortune in the public ser vice; he wished therefore to know who the Gen tleman was ? Mr. A RBUTHNOT stated, that it was a Mr. Litchfield ; and that his retired allowance was two thirds of his salary. Mr. HUME asked the amount of the two thirds. Mr. ARBUTHNOT said, it was 15001. and that the Gentle :man had been more than 20 years in the service. After a few words from Mr. HUME and Mr. ARBUTHNOT, she vote was agreed to. The next item was 22,8001. for defraying the Charges of the ..Salaries and Allowances of the Officers of the House of Lords and Commons. Mr. HUME expressed a hope that for the future these Charges would be accompanied by an Estimate. Mr. ARBUTHNOT observed, that if he had the honour of olding the office which he then filled next year, every item arould be stated in detaiL The Vote was then agreed to ; as was that of 90,2521. for de fraying the Charges of employing Convicts at Home; anti also :3061. for the Expences of the National Vaccine Institution. The next item was 100,0001. for defraying the Amount of Eills drawn in New South Wales. SirJ. NEWPORT wished to know whether any measures were taken to check such Accounts ? and adverted to the case -cf a defaulter to a large amount. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated, that -itnmediately after the unfortunate occurrence to which the Ho 'noarable Baronet alluded, the late _Mr. Percival established a system of accounts which operated as a eomplete check to pre vent such consequences in future. The fact was, that no person, was now entrusted with a new grant until the former was ac counted for, so that he could not have at any time a large sum .of the public money in his hands. .Sir J. NEWPORT animadverted briefly upon the doctrine entertained by some individuals that they had a right to traffic and speculate by means of the public money, of which they had offloo possession. Mr. HUME, adverting to a previous Resolution respecting; the expense of Police Offices, which the Honourable Gentle man had omitted because it was among the Civil Contingencies, 'objected to its being there, as it had the effect of keeping the knowledge of the details from the House. He trusted that in another year this item would be made the subject of a distinct estimate, so that the propriety of it might be 'noxiously con sidered. Mr. ARBUTHNOT acknowledged the propriety of the Honourable Gentleman's suggestion, and promised that it 'should be attended to. The Resolution was then agreed to. On a Resolution for granting 69,453/. to make good the deficiency of the Fee Fund in the De partments of the Treasury, the three Secretaries of State, and the Privy Council, Mr. litimE observed, that it would be much snore intelligible if, instead of the balance, the whale expellee of the departments in question were stated, and stated separately. The expence of those departments had considerably increased within a few years. In 1796 the whole expence of the Treasury Establishment was 26,043/. ; at present it was 68,8541., being thrice the former amount. Now the question was, whether triple the former establishment was now requisite ? In looking at the various items, it appeared that a great increase had - taken place in the salaries of the leading Clerks. Mr. Harrison, the Assistant Secretary, had been put on the footing of a Se cretary, receiving a salary of 3,5001., besides 300/. for examining certain accounts. Mr. Har rkon had certainly been a long time in that de partment, and was a most deserving individual, hut was not 3,800/. an enormous salary? -Look ing down the list, it would be found that each of the three Principal Clerks had 1,5001., and th2re were others at 1,4001., at 1,1001., at 6001., &c. On the whole he contended that the expence of the establishment ought to be made to approxi mate more nearly to that of 1796. He objected also to the item of 5651. for retired allowances aid superannuations. It was most objectionable to allow such items to be among the efficient esti mates. They ought to be separate, and it was his intention, before Parliament broke up, to make such a proposition. The expence of the departments of the three Secretaries of State -was in 1796 only 25,488/.; at preSent it was more than doubled, being 58,1531. In the Home Office there was a very large in crease. In the Foreign Office, among others, there was one remarkable item, viz. a pension of 1,0001. to Mr. It. Ward and Mrs. Ward, to make up to him, as Clerk of the Ordnance, the salary to which he had been entitled as Un ,cler Secretary of the Treasury. As Clerk of the Ordnance, Mr. Ward received a salary of 1,143/. He received therefore together the sum of 2,1431. He did not know whether at the time Mr. Ward quitted the Treasury, the salary of the Under Secretary was 1,500/. or 20001. If the former,' Mr. Ward was now overpaid by 643 i. ; if the latter, by / 1431. Here again he had to complain of the superannuations and retired allowances, -which ought to be made the subject of separate Estimates. With respect to the Colonial De partment, considering it as he did of the highest importance to the country, he did not think that the sum which it cost was too large. Adverting to the item for the expence of messengers and couriers, namely, 27,5001. he observed, that he bad heard a report, which he trusted was not true, namely, that when any Member of Go vernment went abroad, or wanted to come home from abroad, a dispatch was given to him, which entitled him to the expence of his journey. As to the Board of Trade, he thought the money expended upon it well laid out, and eulogised the conduct of the Right lion. President of the Institution. Mr. AnauTuNoT could see no possible objec tion to a separate statement of the expence of each department. The vote now proposed was in its present form, because the fee-fund paid the expences of the departments in question as far as it went, and it was only for the deficiency that application was made to Parliament. He had no objection whatever to present the details of the expence of the various departments, and in future they should be presented ; he wished to say a few words on the salaries of the Secretaries of the Treasury and the Clerks. By the Finance Reports of 1797, it appeared, that in the last year of the American war, the emoluments of the Secretaries of the Treasury were 5,0001. being 1,0001. more than at present. In 1782, the Se cretaries of the Treasury had a fixed salary of 3,000/. with certain allowances. In 1800 the salary had been fixed at 4,000/. taking away all other allowance& It was not for him to say whether or not this was too large a sum, but he might, perhaps, be permitted to observe, that hi his particular case the public saved 2,0001. a year by his appointment, as he was entitled to a pension of that amount, in con sequence of his having been formerly employ ed in a diplomatic capacity. With respect to Mr. Harrison,- he begged leave to observe that that Gentleman hail been originally chosen and ap pointed by Mr. Pitt ; that he had been highly esteemed by Lord Grenville ; that he had also been highly esteemed and his services rewarded by Mr. Percival ; and he (Mr. Arbuthnot) could with confidence appeal to his Noble and to his Right Hon. Friends near him, if they did not find Mr. Harrison's services invaluable.—(Hear, hear !)—He was very sorry to add, that Mr. Harrison's health was so completely broken down, that it was not likely the public would long en joy the benefit of his talents and experience. From his (Mr. Arbuthnot's) knowledge of Mr. Harrison's value, he should deeply lament that deprivation whenever it should occur ; but whenever it did unfortunately occur, it was cer tainly intended to lessen the salary of the As sistant Secretary, and in fact to bring it back to its original amount. Indeed the whole of the salaries of the Treasury Department were under revision. He must observe, that the business of that department had material ly increased since 1796. The only way in which that could be proved was by comparing the number of papers registered in the Treasury . (which however formed but a part of the busi ness, as there were numerous papers not regis tered.) In 1797, the number of papers regis tered was about 4,500; the amount in 1819, ex ceeded 20,000 ; and at the present period the number was above 18,000. This was, perhaps, in some degree attributable to the greater atten tion which that House had of late paid to public business ; the consequence was that other Depart ments who had formerly transacted part of the business of the Treasury, had declined continuing that responsibility. Sir I. COFFIN bore testimony to the great de serts of Mr. Harrison, and to his being completely worn out in the public service. Mr. HumE said a few words in explanation, and observed, that the Treasury took upon itself a great deal of business, which properly belong ed to other departments. As an instance of this, he adduced a case in which the Treasury had spent many days in an investigation, which was properly the business of the Stamp Office. Sir E. KNATCHBULL adverted to the great difference in the value of money at the present period, and at the period when the salaries of the public officers in the Treasury were fixed. Ile wished to know whether that consideration en tered into the plan of revision which the Hon. Gentleman had alluded to. Tile CHANCELLOR of the ExcitEoutit replied, that though the circumstance adverted to by the Hon. Baronet was certainly of great importance, yet that any intention of making a change in the salaries, in consequence of the change in the value of money, ought to be preceded by a con siderable notice. That was not the nature of the revision to which his Hon. Friend had alluded; the object of which was to combine as much pub lic economy as was compatible with justice to the individuals immediately concerned. Lord MILTON expressed his satisfaction at the attention of the House having been called by the Hon. Bart. to the expediency of taking the value of money into consideration in apportioning the salaries of public officers. We understood the Noble Lord to recommend that the principle of such a reference should be further extended ; and to express his opinion, that before Parliament met again, the necessity of such an extension would be rendered sufficiently manifest. The Resolution was then agreed to. On the Resolution for granting 25,000/. for Fo reign and other Secret Services, _ _ Mr. HUME asked if the large sum of 60,0001. cotl last year under this head, had been wholly unfunded ? Mr. ARBUTHNOT replied, that at the time the present Estimate was formed, 20,0001. were yet in hand ; but that was three or four months since. Mr. HUME observed, that to his certain knowledge, a great deal of money was expended in England in a very objection able manner in procuring secret information. If any part of the present grant went to the department of the Home Secretary, he would not vote a single shilling of it. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that not a shilling of the grant went to the Home Secretary. The Resolution was then agreed to. On the Resolution for granting 2,5001. for the Extraordinary Expences of the Mint and Gold Coinage, Sir J. NEWPORT asked whether it was in the contempla tion of his Majesty's Government to resume the coinage of gui neas, or if it was totally abandoned ? Mr. 'W. POOLE said, that by the King's Proclamation, the Mint was at present confined to the coinage of Sovereigns and Half-Sovereigns. He had no hesitation in stating, that it was not in contemplation to resume the coinage of guineas. The Resolution was then agreed to. On proposing a Resolution for granting the sum of 21,0001. for Printing the Acts of Parliament, Mr. ARBUTHNOT ob served, that the expence of this item had become enormous, and that it was his intention in the next Session (should he retain his present situation), to move for the appointment of a Com mittee to consider of the best means of reducing it. Mr. HUME was perfectly satisfied that there was no part cf the public expence more open to reduction than the expence of printing and stationary • he had no doubt that 50 per cent. might be saved on both. The expence of printing the 58th volume of the Journals was 39461. • he had the best authority for declaring, that at the ordinary charge, any Printer would be flad to do it for 25601. ; and that if an establishment were ormed for the express purpose of printing the public documents, it might be printed at an expence of only 15001. He had some thoughts of proposing a Committee at once on the subject, can vinced as he was that nine clear days Would suffice for a satis factory investigation of the subject. After a few words from Mr. ARBUTHNOT, Sir J. NEWPORT objected to allowing any monopoly of supplying the public offices with stationary or other articles. In Ireland particularly, one individual was allowed the exclusive privilege of supplying the Government with stationary under the sanction of what was called a patent. This he maintained destroyed that fair competition which would enable Govern ment to procure those articles for at least half the present pride. (hear, hear!) Mr. C. GRANT agreed with the llonourable Baronet, that a fair competition ought to be allowed in supplying the public offices with stores. But the case in Ireland to which the Right Honourable Baronet alluded was one where an individual held a patent for supplying the Government with stationary, and the Honourable Baronet knew that when an inquiry was instituted some years ago on the subject, the opinion of the Law Advisers of the Crown was, that the patent could not be infringed upon. After a few words from Sir J. NEWPORT, The Resolution was put and carried, as were the following:— £2500 for printing 1750 'Copies of the 60th volume of the Journals in 1321. £3500 for printing the votes of the House in 1321. £20,000 for printing the Bills, Reports, and other Papers in 11321. £2178 to make good the deficiencies of printing the Journals ih 11;20. £2OOO for printing the Journals and Reports for the same period. £BOOO for the Relief of American Loyalists in 1821. £6631 6s. 3d. for Retired Allowances and Pensions to Per sons late belonging . to Public Offices under the 50th Geo. 111. £5OOO in Aid of the Refuge for the Destitute for 1821. £5731 6s. 10d. to make good the deficiency of Printing the Bills and other Papers in 1820. £33,667 for Defi.aying the Expences of the Bow-street Esta blishment, the Horse Patrol, and the Thames Police Establish ment, for 1821._ _ _ _ _ £23,000 for Defraying the Expences of the Penitentiary for 1321. £15,000 in aid of the Expences of the African Company. .£2458 for the Expences of Repairing Henry the Seventh's Chapel. On the question that there be granted a sum of ,Z 22,444 to defray the expences of the Civil Establishment at Sierra Leone, Mr. BERNAL expressed a doubt whether the benefits de rived from that Colony were sufficient to balance the expence incurred by it. Mr. GOULBURNE observed, that when we first at tempted to colonize Sierra Leone, it was found that English subjects perished there in a short period, but it appeared, on inquiry, that this proceeded not so much from the badness of the climate as from the want of proper residences for our officers, both civil and military ; in fact, the Houses then occupied by them, admitted the weather at all seasons. It therefore became necessary to build suitable residences for them, and since that period the deaths were comparatively few. Parliament had agreed to grant a sum of ten thousand a year for this purpose, and there was at present every appearance of health in the colony. The Hon. Member went on to point out the very great benefits conferred upon the natives by the establishment of that colony ; there were at this moment several large villages esta blished in the interior of the country, and professing the Christian Religion. This was of itself gratifying to every English mind, as it shewed, that independently of the benefits to be derived to our trade, we had the happiness of making thousands of Afri cans both useful and beneficial Members of Society: The Resolution was then agreed to. The following Resolutions were then put and agreed to : £17,081 ss. for defraying the charge of the Civil Establish ment of New South Wales for 1821. £6,283 for the Civil Establishment of Newfoundland. £2,520 for the Civil Establishment of Prince Edward's Island (America). £6,757 for the Civil Establishment of the Province of New Brunswick. £14,267 for the Civil Establishment of the Province of Nova Scotia. ' £11,107 for the Civil Establishment of Upper Canada. £6OO for the Civil Establishment of the Island of Demerara. £3,147 for the Civil Establishment of the Bahama Islands. £4,901 to meet the outstanding demands for making Im provements in Westminster (under the 46th Geo. III.) £lOO,OOO for making anew street (under the 63d Geo. III.) from St. Mary-le-bone to Charing-cross. 1:86,760 for conveying and fixing Settlers at the Cape of Good Hope. £lO,OOO for defraying the expences of making Roads and Bridges in the Highlands of Scotland. £3,650 for making Roads (under the 43 Geo. M.) in the Isle of Sky. The HOuse then resumed, and the Report was ordered to be received to-morrow (this'day). The Yorkshire Polls Bill went through a Committee ; Lord MILTON stating that his object was not to press the Bill this Session, but he was anxious to have one or two.clauses inserted in it. The House resumed, and the Report was ordered to be received on Monday next. BANK OF IRELAND BILL. On the Motion that the house go into a Committee on this Bill, Sir J. NEWPORT said, that it was his wish to move that it be an instruction to the Committee to provide by a clause that Roman Catholics should be eligible to hold the office of Gover nor or Director to the Bank of - Ireland. It was merely to place the matter beyond doubt that he wished for such a Clause, as it was a matter on which much difference of opinion existed among legal men. He hoped, therefore, the Chancellor of the Exche quer would not oppose him. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that he should feel it his duty to object to the clause of the Honourable Baronet, because he thought it unnecessary, as a Roman Ca tholic might become eligible by conforming to the provisions of the ;let of 1793 on this subject. He thought there could be no doubt on this matter, as there was high legal authority to that effect. Sir J. NEWPORT and the CHANCELLOR of the Ex- CHEQUER mutually explained. Mr. GRENFELL complained that the Chancellor of the Exchequer should oppose the admission of the clause, at the same time that he acknowledged the'zight it went to enact. Sir J. NEWPORT then moved, that it be an instruction to the Committee to introduce a clause to provide for the eligibi lity of Roman Catholics to hold the situation of Governor or Director, or any other office of trust and profit in the Bank of Ireland, any.bye-laws to the contrary. The House then divided— For the Motion - - . 13 Against it - - - - 35 Majority - —22 PACKET REGULATION BILL. Upon our re-admission into the gallery, we found Mr. BRIGHT calling the attention of the _House to the im policy of this Bill, and objecting to its being read a second time. It want to force every packet boat, from a Margate hoy to a Leith smack, to take out a license for selling spirits, whilst it endowed excise officers with unlimited powers to harass. He moved, as an amendment, that the Bill should be read a se cond time on that day six months. Mr. LUSH INGTON defended the'Bill as a measure of re gulation, And as necessary to maintain the Irish Excise system ; and, in point of fact, to protect the masters of steam vessels from risk of confiscation. Sir J.VIEWPORT opposed the Bill, and contended that to justify (Measure of this kind, it ought to be clearly proved that some great practical evil had been sustained from the existing law, which demanded a remedy. Mr. BERNAL contended that the provisions of the Bill would extend not only to packets sailing . between this Country and Ireland, but to all the small vessels employed as coasters. Its operation would extend to numerous'cases to which it was not meant to apply. He wished to know if the Chancellor of the Exchequer had consulted the Law Officers of the Crown on this subject. Sir I. COFFIN thought the operation of the Bill ought to be confined to vessels navigated by steam. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said there would be no objection to limit the operation of the Bill to vessels carrying passengers, whether navigated by steam or by sails. After further conversation between Sir .J. Newport, Mr. Ilus kisson, Mr. Sykes, and 3lr. 'Wilson, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated that he was willing, in the Committee, to alter the Bill so as to give every party the option of taking a license or not, leaving them to take the consequences of omitting to do so. Mr. 11. BRIGHT said, they enjoyed that option at present. The House divided, when the numbers were— , For the Second Reading - - - 36 For the Amendment - - 14 Majority - - - —22 The Bill was then read a second time. The Report of the East India Private Trade Bill was brought up, and ordered to bu taken into further consideration on Monday, and the Bill to be printed. The-Prize Money Appropriation Bill, and the Justices of Peace Regulation Bill, were read a third time, and passed. The other Orders of the Day were disposed of, and the House adjourned. CHESTER KING AND CONSTITUTIONAL ASSO CIATION CLUB.—It is understood, that this pa triotic Society intend to dine together on the day on ivh!ch his MAJESTY'S Coronation takes place. (Ciesler Courant, June 12) FOREIGN LITtRATVRE. [No: IXVI.] On the INFLTJE7 . 4.!E of CHRISTIANITY on the CON DITION of W0.;),1AN.,.hy M. GREGOIRE; formerly Bishop of BLois. • j Christiatkity kds - tlti.pe web forWorneb \ that putting aside all other and higher considerations, they ought to become Christians out of gratitude. The heart never augurs. It is easy and pleasant to believe what we are obliged to foie j and is it possible for women not to love a religion to which alone they are indebted for the honourable rank which they now occupy in society ? Some ancient nations, it is true, had a great respect for wo men, but these exceptions are very few ; and M. Gregoire proves beyond a doubt, that almost every where, the weaker sex has been oppressed and degraded by brutal force, over which the spirit of Christianity alone has been able to triumph. Their condition was indeed miserable, and I blush at it not for them, but for ourselves. _ _ Even the Jews, from whom I expected better things, held their women in little estimation ; and to my mind, if it were only on that account, they richly deserve the punishments de nounced against them, and under which they are now suffer ing. Woe to them who despise women. ! Who would believe that one of their writers has dared to say that " woman is but an imperfect male," without adding, at the same time, that the sketch was at least equal to the paint ing What do you suppose is the morning prayer of the Jew ? Toe dissertation of M. Grgoire informs us, that the Jew re turn thanks to God, not for having made him aJew, which might perhaps be worth an acknowledgment, but " for not having made him a woman," and you know what he gains by it. The .Jewess on the contrary says, resigning herself to her lot, " Blessed be thou who bast in thy will and wisdom made.me what I am," an act of humility which must be very grating to their self-love. Is it more necessary to chew the little respect which the Jews entertained, and still entertain for women ? Besides I am only the faithful echo of M. Gregoire • and if these remarks offend the Synagogue, of him only have they a right to complain. Has he calumniated them ? Let them be revenged of him. I will throw no obstacles in their way--quite the contrary. I desire nothing better than to see M. Gr4goire engaged in a con test witllthe Rabbi, touching the honor of the sex. Some persons speak of the homage paid to women by the Greeks, .especially the Athenians. 66 Was not Aspasia,", they ask, "at the same time Minister and Secretary of State at Athens ?" I admit it ; and I will also acknowledge, if required, that this Minister was equal to many others whom we have lately seen ; but by what means did she attain the power of Premier, and to what causes is she indebted for her Secretary ship ? ,M. Or4goire leaves you in the dark on these points ; for an ex-bishop ought not to speak of Aspasia but witli great re serve. But what we learn from other sources authorizes us in believing that affairs of State were not the only subjects which were discussed in her boudoir. The public, who know well the appellation given in this country to women of this descrip tion, renders it unnecessary that I should repeat it. It was not, then, to women in general, A h. ut only to some women of kind dispositions, and of . easy and agreeable man ners, that the Athenians paid their homage, which is not to be envied when we know what it cost. We certainly would not wish far it Est the same price. The consideration is no doubt very desirable, but virtue is far more valuable ' - and there are certain sacrifices to which a virtuous woman would never resign herself, though it might procure for her honors and distinction. I will not here repeat the impertinences uttered against the female sex by the Greek philosophers, who have been praised beyond their merits, beginning with Aristo tle, the niost impertinent of all, who had the hardihool to say that women formed the first link in the chain of DEGENERA,TION. It must, however, be admitted with M. Gregoire that the usages and laws of the Greeks sanctioned the opinions of these pretended philosophers. In violation of all the principles of justice and propriety, women were bought and sold in Greece, and at a much later period in Rome : they were also hired for a limited time, and were exposed for sale in the market place like any other commodity. Then woman was regarded less in the light of a PERSON than a ,THING ; and with grief do I remark, that the thing which was called woman was of little worth in those days. We do not like to lend our neighbour an article of great value; but history informs us that in Athens, and at Rome, men lent their wives without any scruple • and if you imagine that this occurred only among ihe lower classes of society, you are in error, • for the greatest personages contracted this bad habit. Can you believe that Socrates, Cato, and many others were guilty of this practice, persons whose names are always cited when some people wish to humble us ? As - to Socrates, his case is to be commiserated. He bad a wife—a woman— * * * —in short it was Xantippe. But it seems to me that the wife of Cato, so amiable, so virtu ous, and moreover a woman of quality, should not have suffered such an humiliation ; nevertheless this respectable lady was forced to submit to it. Cato, who is notwithstanding called the wise, Cato lent her to Ilortensius, the celebrated orator, whose speeches have been lost ; a misfortune with which, thanks to printing, those delivered in the present day are not threatened. What a treasure they will prove to posterity! . It is proper to observe that these infamous bargains did not occasion any scan dal. The Roman laws obliged the borrower to return the woman who had been lent to him before the expiration of twelve months ; in default of which, he was bound to keep her. The money paid on these occasions was appropriated to his own uses by the husband. The condition of women was .elsewhere still more deplorable. How grateful then ought they to feel at the introduction of Christianity. They were all but slaves : it has set them free. It has doubly enfranchised them, for the spirit of Christianity admits of neither freeman nor slave, neither man nor woman, and treats all alike. The language of ecclesiastical writers is, therefore, very dif ferent from that of the philosophers of antiquity : but some o' them, I may venture to say, go rather too far. It is very well, no doubt, to talk to women of their rights, but then their li mits should at the same time be marked out with precision ; for women have a great propensity to go. beyond them. The wri ters to whom I here allude, seem sometimes to have forgotten the existence of this propensity. We should also, in so delicate a question, carefully avoid those equivocal expressions which vanity always interprets to its own advantage. We read in St. Chrysostom, in St. Gre gory of Nyssus, and even in 31. Gregoire, that " woman be ing equal to man in rank, there ought to be between them an equality of honors." Yes, certainly, but not an equality of power ; and this remark cannot be repeated too often, nor can it be too earnestly inculcated on women, that the equality here adverted to does not absolve them from the duty of respectful submission; for Christianity, which enjoins you to honour them, at the same time commands them to obey you : and how otherwise could it be? The domestic throne is too narrow to be occupied by two : there is only room for man ; but, thanks to Christianity, woman now fills a very honourable place near this throne (at the foot of which she was formerly humbly prostrate, not daring even to look up towards it), a faithful re presentation of monarchy. Hence civilians have not failed to draw this conclusion, that of all forms of government, the mo— narchical is the most natural, and I am inclined to think that M. Grego re is not of a different opinion. Two heads in a family would introduce the disorders of anar chy. Yet, as is remarked by M. Gregoire," if to command is the right of man, it is too often the taste of the wife ;" and how are we to prevent the taste of the one from overturning the right of the other ? It is a secret which weakness will never lea n. It is not enough to be the legitimate chief of the family ; a poor legitimacy, which has neither beak nor talons, would quickly he in jeopardy : but the conjugal throne belongs to you, and you must defend it ; otherwise you will soon see your Government DE JURE supplanted by a Government DE FACTO, to which you will be the first obliged to sub mit: and if you should atteinpt to complain of it, you will be told, it is your own fault ; obey since you know not how to command. Violent means, however, are contrary to the spirit of Christianity, which is moreover particularly favourable towards women. It is disgraceful to remark that Civilians have, not at a very distant period, discussed this strange ques tion, whether it is lawful for a husband to beat his wife ? No, I say, a hundred times, no. A plague take those who answer in the affirmative ; but if these thing,s are so arranged by mutual consent, if she says, like Martine in the Medecin malgre lui, " yes, I wish him to beat me," what then is he to do ? It is a case of conscience not easy to resolve. I send him to M. Gre goire, provided they have not yet abrogated his authority. Thus, too long disgraced and degraded by stupid and barba rous laws women are indebted to the establishment of Christia nity for the full and entire enjoyment of their rights. Their restoration dates from that period. Let them examine all the known religions, not one of them is so favourable. I - suppose them to have little inclination for Judaism, for it is not very allu,ing. Will the Law of NI ahomet please them better?— What ! Queens at London and Path ' by virtue of our homage, would they consent to live slaves at Constantinople under the surveillance of those vile Eunuchs, who treat with so much in civility their unfortunate recluses ? And Polygamy ? Can I forget it ? Mahomet allows four wives to his followers ; and what is this but the quarter of a husband for one affectionate wife who knows not how to share with others his caresses, and whose heart is indivisible. It makes us shudder to think of it. If from Constantinople we pass into Asia, we there see women, unfortunately victims of a barbarous custom, obliged to burn themselves to death on the funeral pile which consumes the remains of their deceased husbands. Gregoire reckons at more than ten thousand the number of wi dows who pay this affecting tribute, more to superstition than to conjugal love. But Christianity having abolished human sa crifices among us, grief does not reach that degree of ferocity, and hoivever rrtuth the husband is to be regretted, the *gee con sents at least to tiirvive him, The design of N. Gregoire not being to strengthen the attach , ment of women only to Clgktianity, but also to liberty, he af firms that their condition is re happy in free states,.because these states are more in unison kt'th the Virit of the. Gospel ; and, in support of this assertion citesNie English, Eng lanO o " he says, "is the paratlisuit wonign." IThvieNrer, in this paradise a mrtain custom is aMo'lled, which reflects little credit on us. Db we not permit a husband who is dissatisfied with his wife to put'a hater round her neck, take her to the market-place, employ the cryer to announce her for sale, and at length dispose of her if an amateur should off e r. What„! sell one's wife ! sell her in public ! its the market-place ! with is halter round her neck ! The sex, in the most barbarous coun tries, is not subjected to greater humiliation. • The author then cites the Swiss, the Dutch, and the Anglo- Americans. That these people are very affectionate to their wives, I willingly admit ; but how came M. Gregoire to omit the French, among whom women are treated with the greatest respect. Is it because they have not quite so free a cOnstini. Lion One thing, however, must be mentioned to thei: honour, that if a husband in France is dissatisfied with his wife, which sometimes happens even in the best regulated state, neither laws nor custom permit him to sell her in the market-place to the highest bidder. I will, however, in spite of the imposing authority of 11. Gregoire, leave this point to be settled by the fair part of the creation, as best qualified, I imagine, to decide which is their paradise. C. FREEMASONRY. MASONIC NOTICES FOR NEXT WEEK. Monday, June 18, LoxDO x. Nos. 1,8, 14, 15, 22, 181, 293, 398. COUNTRY. Nos. 20, 72, 102, 219, 311, 360, 423, 509, MO, 521, 583, 597. N 08.33, 42, 266. Tuesday, - 19, LONDON. COUNTRY. Nos. 87,127,139, 151, 170, 184, 199, 340, 385, 532, 544, 551, 640. Wednesday, - 20, LoNnow. Nos. 5(1, 225, 309. COUNTRY. Nos. 95. 105. 124, 146, 207. 229, 339, 342, 465, 480, 487, 529, 581, 678,. 711- - 21, LoxDoN. Nos. 152, 274, 284, 388. 11 ouse C-oru. Fern. school at 11. COUNTRY. Nos. 49, 51, 113, 115, 171, 288, 416, 453, 466, 46:) 503, 511, 561, 657, 070. - 22, LOP:DON. No. 421. COUNTRY. No. 283. Thursday, Friday, PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS. HOUSE OF COMMONS. 3lercurii, 13 0 die Junii , 1821. IRISH FISHERIES.—Second Annual Report presented. CLOVER. SEEDS BlLL.—Petition against. EAST INDIA SUGAR.—Resolutions to be reported tomorrow (this day). VOYIKSMRE POLL BILL.—To be printed as amended. COASTING TRADE.—A Bill to be brought in to regulate the. %* For "A. B." on the Poon Laws, and " R." on AGRI CULTURE, sec the Fourth Page. PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT TWELVE 0-CLOCK. 3 per Cent. Red 75 Bank Long Ann. l9 3 per Cent. Cons. 4 per Cent 94 934 94 Excheq. Bills par 3 pr. 5 per Cent. Navy Ann.... shut Cons. for Opening Mit HIGH WATER AT LONDO: Morning, 45 minutes after 1: IN BRIDGE TO-MORROW. !Evening, 12 minutes after `2- THE SUN. SOLEM QUIS DICEILE FALSUM AUDEAT? LONDON, THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1821. The two Houses of Parliament met yesterday, and a considerable quantity of business was dis patched. In the House of Commons, Mr. STuAR I WORTLEY postponed his motion relative to the Declaration of the ALLIED SOVEaEIC NS, Olt ac count of the illness of the Marquis of LONDON' DERRY. Madrid Papers to the 31st ult. reached us tbio The following are the contents : " SPANISH AMERICA. morning. " VERA CRUZ, MARCH 12.—0 n the 3d inst• the brig Vengador entered this port in safety, and on the 4th there were the whole day a t the entrance of it a corvette from Santander, II Leona and Il Curto of this port, perfectly fitted out as cruizers by the insurgents, with two mot' chantmen, which they had captured coming front Campeche. On the sth an express arrived here from Mexico, with the news that Col. Iturizde7 with the corps under his command, had joioea the insurgent Guerrero,, and that the two &v' sions had proclaimed independence, and seize d upon 700,000 piastres and a quantity of goo d; going from the capital to Acapulco; that Col' leri had done the same at Cuernebaca ; and tiO t, the two chiefs were at the distance of two leagu e; from that place, with the intention t ) go t 4" Mexico to continue their work, in which it ) 05 asserted they were agreed with the Viceroy, tt i° Archbishop, the heads of the Corporations, an t the principal persons of the capital. On the 714 two proclamations of Iturizde were receiv ecl, sent by our worthy Bishop of Puebla, with itle regulations which that insurgent proPn`-' of to form a provisional Junta, composed hall Europeans and half of Americans, with the 'S roy as President, but without a vote, till a Pr'" c of the Royal Family should come from Sfain t, be Emperor, and that meantime Cortes shou ld be convoked to draw up the Constitution of the Kingdom, by which, according to him, t he 136" sons and property of European Spaniar ds should be respected, and they themselves a t liberty either to remain in the Kingdom, or to remov e with their property to whatever place they choose, with other favours which this new legislation would grant us, to deceive us, a s ha pp ened to some persons in the above - ment i oned ,What confirmed public opinion in favour of the just cause was the declaration of the Junta sl Officers, convoked by the Viceroy, to whom t he all offered their services, assuring him that ti! troops of the Capital were animated w it h tbtr I