The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-01-24 00:00:00

THE BRITISH PRESS.

while the Viceroy, with the King's consent, is out of the kingdom.
and consequently the senior Councillor presides in the Council of
State. The sums allotted to the Viceroy shall be reduced. When
the Kirg is present the functions of the Viceroy cease of course.
If there is no Viceroy, but only a Governor, the same happens, as he
is only first Member of the Council of State when the "King icon
the st ot. (We must defer the Message till to-morrow, for want of
I room.)
ST. PETERSBURG/I, JAN. 5.
The Emperor has given an extraordinary present of 50,000
rubles in silver to Count 51iloradowitsch, 51ilitary Governor of
the capital. In order to encourage the private copper works, the
projectors are relieved from the duty of three rubles for every pool
of copper, which they have hitherto had to pay.
HAMBURG'S. JAN. 15.
The Berets MU List of this date gives the names of 1.19 ships
which had sailed front Hamburgh since the 12th October, and arc
still detained in the Elbe by contrary winds. haring suffered (with
very few exceptions) more or less damage in the repeated storms.
JANUARY 17.
Six English parka boa's sailed yeterday, with eleven mails.
from 7th Deamber to the 11th instant. Of the ships hitherto de-
tained in the Elbe. sixty-three sailed (chiefly for England) on the
15th and 16th.—IlomburgA Papers, Juts. IP,
BRI:SSEI.S. J Alf . 17.
A private letter from Paris. speaks of an intended expedition to
St. Domingo. which is to sail in the month of May, under the
command of General Desfournemix. This General was formerly
Governor of the island of Guadaloupe, and has a command in St.
Domingo.—Hapte Courant, Jan. 21.
• EXCHANGES.
HAMM:1011, JAW. 18.—On London, 3634. Two Months, 36
ST. P 222222 DROH, JAN. 4.—London, 927-32.
AMSTERDAM, JAN. 2L—London, 39 8. Two Months, 19 8.

•In another column we have given a long extract from
the Austrian Observer, in which, as usual, all the suc-
cesses of the Greeks are reduced to nothing, and their this.
sencioos magnified fifty-fold in importance. They must,
indeed, be a wonderful people, to have sustained their inde-
pendence during the last four years, if all that this Aus-
trian Paper bath said of them were true; but we ought not
to forget that the Editor of the Austrian Observer must
publish not what he actually knows or feels, but what the
censor of Prince MzrziaNteit will allow him to make
known to the world. According to the statements in this
paper, however, it dots not appear that the malcontents had
been successful. The occupation of Tripolitza by Cozo-
coy acoxi rests on the authority of an unnamed naval officer,
who gained the information we know not how. The rumour
that the revokers were in league with the Turks is satis-
factorily confirmed. As to the strange story of the Hydriots
and Spczziota threatening the Moreots with the landing
of' the Turks, if the Government was not obeyed, there
can be no doubt that the whole is a mere fabrication. The
Austrian Observer says, with affected simplicity, "We
have not seen the proclamation." No, nor any body else ;
the paper saves its veracity by not. even affirming that it
believes any proclamation of the kind was ever in existence.
But if the Greeks suffer from disunion, the condition of
the Turks is not much better in that respect. It is mani-
fest that OMER VAIONI is suspected, and not unjustly.
The .4&o:riats Observer says of him, " If the Poarx can
get him out of Albania it will be a great advantage to it."
An article in the Constilutionnel of Friday, dated Corfu,
17th December, after some remarks on the arrival of
Ifaumoun Paola, the grandson of the renowned At; I
PACIIA, at Vasilica, concludes with the following para-
graph
"Omer Vrione knows well that the Porte only wishes to draw
him into the interior of the empire to destroy him with the
greater ease ; tut so far from surrendering himself, he will defend
himself in Albania, where he reckons numerous partisans. Mah-
mood Pucka, who, on his side, has in the country a considerable
party, that of his grandfather, will not fail to meet him. Behold.
then, the war of Ali Paella renewed: it is the most advantageous
circumstance that could happen for the Greeks. The moat pro
bahle supposition in this case is, that Omer Vrione should join with
the Greeks, in surrendering to them the places of Arta, Preens,
and Souli, on the conditions upon which that alliance had begun
to be negociated some time ago."
We have received Sierra Leone Gazettes to the 25th of
September inclusive. The last number is occupied with
refuting what it terms the " infamous falsehood," of the
Times, respecting the origin and causes of the late
Ashantee war. The following paragraph is all these
Gazettes contain of news:—
" That the Fiances hare suffered tire/Wildly, is true. Such a
deliverance from such a yoke could not be obtained without much
suffering; but we have every reason to believe they hay: accom-
plished their object. The Ashantees have retired for a season, and,
from what we learn, there is no disposition on their part to renew
the contest. We believe, if left undisturbed in Ashantee proper,
they will be content to leave Fantee undisturbed. They have stir-
fered dreadfully, and have not been able to bring back a single
Pantee state to subjection. if, are happy to say, the tens of thou-
sands who are to die of starvation, exist only in the visionary
minds of men who bring themselves into notice by tales of wonder
anti of woe. The supplies so promptly sent from this by the
Colonial Government and Commissariat, afforded full subsistence
to those who were driven under the protection of the Fort. The
Ashantces were beat, ar.d retreated in time to allow corn to be
planted; and the country to the eastward, towards Annarnaboe and
Accra, was never invaded by the Ashantees. The independence
of lantee, if secured, as we believe it to be, has been cheaply pur-
chased by all their sufferings."

The last Irish Pspers have brought us news deeply to be
regretted. The London Hibernian Free School at Bilbao,
in the county of Limerick, has been wantonly destroyed by
incendiaries. This is the manifestation of an evil spirit,
which can only produce great mischief to Ireland, and
will, we fear, seriously retard the progress of improvement
in that unfortunate country. Among a people ignorant
and superstitious, like the bulk of the Irish peasantry, it
was hardly to be expected that all the excitement they have
lately received from their boisterous and miserably short-
sighted leaders, could fail to produce some pernicious ex-
cesses. No man who has attended to the mode in which
they have been addressed, and the sort of instruction that
has been disseminated amongst them, could view without
apprehension the effects of the tuition they have lately ex-
perienced; but the sincere friends of Ireland hoped, though
the aspect of public feeling was angry and threatening,
that at least the knowledge of the certain injury that would
Mutt to the erase of the Catholics froarany outrage otrthe

persons or property of the Protestants, would have res-
trained even the most mischievously-disposed from provok-
ing the hostility of the people of Great Britain. We have
not been unmindful of the sedulous manner in which the
Irish Catholics have from time to time been told of the
physical power and local advantages they possess, nor of
what has been insidiously said of the probability of their
revolt in case of a war between this country and those who
arc united with them " by a community of religion ;" but
we confess we did think that the fervent declarations of
their orators as to the utter hopelessness of any attempt
to separate the islands would, however feebly and imper-
fectly stated, have kept the population in a state of present
tranquillity. We now begin lobe afraid that the circulation
of the infamous libels on the Reformation, and the inflam-
matory speeches delivered in the Catholic Association, have
raised a sensation, which, if it be not timely suppressed, will
be e•etinguishable only in blood. Let us consider the act to
which we refer, in all its characteristics. What is it but the
outbursting of a bigoted hatred of l'rotestantism, and an
end2avour, by the bands of obscure incendiaries, to accom-
plish by stealth, what, under other circumstances, the same
feelings would have attempted by an open array of force ?
Ireland has yet to enjoy the substantial blessings of ci-
vilization. All the efforts to give education, and spread'
knowledge amongst her people, havebeen rendered abortive
by the Catholic Priesthood, who have, perhaps justly,
considered them as tending directly to the subversion of
their influence. Since the general peace has enabled the

Government to turn its views more particularly to internal
objects, it■ attention lurs been, in a peculiar degree, fixed
upon the condition of Ireland, and the world knows that
many measures of amelioration had been introduced,
and that more are in contemplation. Greater benefits
than any in the power of Government may, however, be
derived to Ireland from the diffusion of English wealth
over her surface, and the consequent employment of the
poor. But before this direction can be given to out capi-
tal, it is essential not only that property should he actu-
ally safe at the present moment, but that all the imme-
diate causes of irritation for the future should be removed,
and the public peace securely and permanently established.
It will not be enough that the law should remove the
" matter of sedition," unless the leaders of party also re-
solve to allay the violence of feeling they have produced.
If they will net do so, or if, from experience; it be judged
unwise to leave in their hands any longer a power they
have so much abused, it must be taken from them. At
all events, the peace of the country must be preserved: its
real welfare must be promoted, at whatever cod.

The appearance of Mr. KICAN, this evening, in the
character of Richard, was announced to the audience, at '
the conclusion of the opera on Saturday, atnidat a conflict
of approving and dissentient voices. That the house will
be crowded to the very corners there is no doubt, because
a contest sf any Lind, Whetaer In the arena of Tuthill-fields
!or the theatre, has always ample attractions for a certain
class of spectator!. For them an O.P. exhibition, what-
ever bs the cause that gives birth to it, has a charm irre-
sistible. As far as persons of this description ars con-
cerned, it is a matter of taste; the rational part of tit.
public are interested in it only as an affair of justice. The
Times has attacked this Intended re-appearance of
Mr. lic•N in a straits of declamation, as ludicrous as
it is outrageous. It is pleased to pronounce, in its de-
votional zeal for delicacy, that " his immediate appear-
ance is as great an outrage to decency as if he were to walk
naked the streets at mid-day." Now this, as an allusion,
is very impure, and as a comparison it is very preposterous.
What analogy can any man of common sense discover
between the two cases? The English public have sense
enough to distinguish right from wrong, without the aid of
illustration, and the Times may safely leave Mr. Ka•N in
their hands ; but this neutrality would sot answer its
purpose. The mock-heroic zeal for the fate of our morals
which, in the present instance, this journal so vehemently
displays, is at bottom neither more nor less than rank
party-spirit. The Times has always lent itself strongly to
the interests of Nlscassny, and endeavoured to elevate'
him above KEAN, and the late trial hissing excited, and
very properly, a strong feeling of moral disapprobation
against the latter, this journal, under the pretext of sup-
porting the cause of morals and religion, are endeavouring
to drive him from the stage, that their hero may be left
without a rival. It is as well that the rause of its in-
flammatory attack on Mr. KE•N, for resuming his thea-
trical engagements, should be traced to its true cause, as
numbers might be drawn in to become the agents of a
factious party spirit, by being made to fancy that, in
adopting its enmity, they ars " doing the state much

We have already remarked, in our Paper of Saturday,
that Mr. Key's profession as an actor does not neces-
sarily make him amenable for any act of moral misconduct
in private life, to that piddle punishment which the Times,
and some other Journals which have followed in its wake,
would insist that he ought to stiffer, viz. the being driven
from the stage. Nothing but the secret purpose to be for-
warded by it, could account for the attempt to spread abroad
a principle so pregnant in its consequences with every sort
of injustice. Our abhorrence of the crime is one thing; the
measure of punishment to be dealt ont to the offender is
another. If Alderman Cox had taken proper care of his
wife, or his wife had taken proper care of Aerial, he might
have kept his front without antlers, and she her reputation
without stain. The Alderman, perhaps, demurred, and
with reesan, to the maxim of law that, QCOD TACIT per
edison, TACIT per se, and it ought certainly to be taken
with exceptions ; he accordingly sought for damages in
the Court of King's Bench for the injury which he con-
sidered himself to have sustained, and the Jury—consider-
ing, probably, that a man who sufft rs himself to be cheated
before his face, is half an accessary—awarded him eight
hundred pounds; this, with eight hundred pounds, if not
more, of costs, is, under the circumstances, no light punish-
ment. But with the more or the less we have nothing to
do ; the question is, has the theatrical public a right to
call him again into judgment, and to conspire against his
return to the stage? We contend that it has no such right.
Let the audience on his appearatice receive him tit
sue N es, instead of the resounding acclamations of' his ac-
customed welcome; in so doing, they would convey a se-
vere, but, at the same time, a most manly and deserved
token of their displeasure. _lifer this, no applause that
might in the course of the evening be given to King
Richard, could be mistaken as intended for Mr. Kz•x.
It is this misconception which the reflective part of the
public must deem it most desirable to guard against ; and
this marked discrimination would avoid it.

Vice, certainly, ought to be justified nowhere. Any sen-
timent which countenances it ought less to be tolerated oa
the stage titan anywhere ; and it is against such sentiments,
whenever they occur, that au audience ought to point their
•-repeuf t anti, 4o she swedit-of NS-English awelienee, (her
rarely, if ever, fail to do so. But be known little of the world,
who does not foresee the mass of mischief that would arise
were this censorial power extended from the scenic language
of Me actor to the private life of the man. An inquisition would
grow out of it, which, in a free country, could not be borne
with ; we should usurp an authority fraught with the worst
evils of oppression. The managei of a theatre, for instance,
has at all times an immense capital embarked in any en-
gagement made with a celebrated performer. Ate we justi-
fied in visiting the moral offence of the one upon the
other, and involving both in ruin ? •Is an opera to be lost
through the delinquency of a first-rate singer ; or a panto-
mime to be laid aside by the dissipation of the Harlequin ?
The common affairs of life could not go on upon such a
principle. It is mere extensively pernicious in its application
than many of us at first sight conceive. Let us carry its
operation into great manufacturing concerns ; what would
become of them did a power csist anywhere of weeding
them from all workmen of immoral character ? We all
know that the best of them arc often the most profligate,
but no one ever thinks for a moment of turning the Society
pr the Suppression of rice in among them, and compelling
the manufacturers to refuge all employment to those whose
private life was reproachable. There is too much good
sense in the English public to allow them to set an ex-
ample, either in the theatre or elsewhere, of a proceeding
so unauthorised and sa uncalled-for. The principles of
public liberty are interwoven inseparably with those of
moral justice, and we can ill afford, in this age, to sacrifice
either to the intrictues of an Alderinan's wife.

FRANCE.
trilow oru coattEsroximur.l
PAR IP, JAV:IO.

Some Journals have stated, that the two projects of laws
recently laid before the Chamber of Deputies, are about to
be withdrawn: others, on the contrary, say that the Minis-
try have /Treed to the amendments which have been made
by the Committee in the project respecting the indemnity,
which wiil replier it infinitely more favourable to the emi-
grants. These rumours, however, have as yet no founda-
tion. The Ministry having succeeded in obtaining the
appointment of ■ Minihterial Committee, the Report, of
course, will be according to their wishes, and the principal
amendments will be moved in the course of the public
debates of the Chamber.

The Report of the Committee of Inquiry concerning the
proceedings of OUVIRARD will shortly be published. When
M. DAM!, who was appointed Reporter of the Committee,
laid his Report before his colleagues, they were quite
alarmed at the disgracefulness of the facts contained in
this scandalous exposure. They suggested that it would
perhaps be dangerous that such transactions should be
made public. M. D.sau insisted, that, in appointing a
Committee of Inquiry, the object of the Government was
to arrive at a knowledge of the truth, and therefore that, in
diniztlising it, the Members of the Committee would betray
the trust reposed in them, and violate the duty they owed
to their own consciences. No reply could be offered to this
language; but still it was thought Convenient, before the
Report was sent to press, to show it to the Daunt's, in
order that he might be made acquainted with its contents.
In consequence of this resolution M. DAse waited on the
PUINL and informed him that the Report contained
facts so disgraceful, yet supported by proofs so overwhelm-
ing, that, before it was sent to press, the Committee deemed
it their duty to acquaint his Rorst. HIGHNESS, in cyder
that his sentiments might be made known on the subject.
The Parses replied, that the Government had resolved to
know the truth, and therefore that the Committee were
Found to state it. Ac to himself, he wished it to be pub-
lished without the suppression of a single fact. M. Dasu
insinuated, in a low tone, and with much address, that
the whole truth, as developed in the Report, would place
in a very unfavourable light some individuals attached to
his person, and specially honoured with his confidence; he
even went so far as to name the Duke de Gutene. "If
my confidence has been betrayed," said the Daerittit,
" I am sorry for those who have abused it; but I cannot
prevent the truth from being made known, nor hinder
you from discharging the duty confided to you." After
this interview the Report was sort to the press, but it is
still doubtful whether private influence may not cause it
to undergo some mcdifications.
The late Ordinance, fixing sixty years as the age,
and thirty years as the period of active service, to en-
title the persons under Government to the pensions of
their respective stations, has produced the greatest discon-
tent, as it leaves every public servant entirely at the mercy
of the Minister, who may dismiss him at any moment at
his pleasure, and without explanation, although he may
have served nine-and-twenty years with fidelity, and suf-
fered a yearly deduction of five per cent. from his salary.
In this case his widow and orphans would be left without
any provision.

While the French and Spanish Government affect
so much surprise and discontent at the policy of the
British Cabinet in acknowledging the independence of
the new States in South America, one would suppose
they had both forgotten the active part they took in encou-
raging the revolt of North America—the former at a less of
many thousands of her bravest troops, and a debt of fifteen
hundred millions ; nor ought we to forget with what ea-
gerness the latter Power hastened to acknowledge the
independence of the British Colonies. Bo• it is evident to
all Europe that England has acted quite a different part in
respect to South America ; she made every exertion in her
power to induce Spain to set the example of recognizing
the independence of her Colonies, and candidly declared
that her own decision would depend on circumstances con-
nected with her general policy and the prosperity of the
British nation. Experience has proved, that the inde-
pendence of the English Colonies on the Continent of
America has not been productive of any prejudice either to
the commerce or shipping of Great Britain. The English
nre still connected with the Americans by the strongest
ties—the same tongue and the same habits are summon to
both nations, and the same blood flows in their veins. This
example should have served as a lesson to Spain, and shown
the policy of granting what it was folly to refuse.

Another letter we bare received from Paris, dated the
Stith instant, gives the following account of what has
passed in the Committee on the prejtet of indemnity to the
emigrants:—
" It is evident that the greatest diversity of opinion pre-
vails in the Chamber. The principle of ineleinnity, the
right of the emigrant to ask it, meet with little objection
among the Deputies; but as soon as the question is, what
means shall be employed to apply the principle? all the opi-
nions differ ; it would be impossible to find ten Members
of the Chamber who entirely agree. This divergence of
opinion has been sensibly manifested in the Committee
which is to examine the project arid make its report to the
Chamber. Nevertheless, amendments have been proposed
and discussed, and clic majority has provisionally adopted
some which entirely change the Ministerial project. The
Committee, being composed of determined Ministerialists,
has thought proper to inform M. Da Vit.tats of the mo-
difications which it intended to propose. Three of its
members have waited on the President of the Council, via.
Messrs. PARDasyra, CARDOWNEL, and a third whose
name isnot mentioned. They were received with a coolness
-that 'petrified [Lein, and wadi limy snake them alter their
opinions. The Minister told them that he was not to trouble
himself with w:sat passed in the Committee, that it was
perfectly free to make the proposals which it thought fit.
He refused to enter into a discussion of any of the amend-
ments mentioned to him as being to be presented to the
Chamber ; in a word, he seemed determined to abide by
the project as it is drawn up, without any alteration."

Ilia Majesty received a visit on Saturday. at Carlton
Palace, from his royal sister, the Princess Sophia.
The Duke of l'oric returned to his residence in the Stable-
yard, St. James's, at an early hour yesterday morning.
The Duke and Durhess of Cambridge and family are
expected in England the ensuing spring.
The l)uchecs of Kent and PrilIC:111 Pealore attended di-
vine service at the Royal German Chapel, and heard a
sermon by the Rev. Dr. Kuper.
The Lord Chancellor had an audience of his Majesty
yesterday.
Mr. Secretary Canning left town on Saturday for Comte
Wood, on a visit to the Earl and Countess of Liverpool.
Mr. Secretary Peel came to town on Saturday morning,
from the seat of the Countess of Bridgwater. at Asiiridge,
Hertfords.hire, and transacted business on Saturday at the
Home Office.

Mr. Dawson, Under Secretary of Stare for the Home
Department, arrived in town on &Our-113y morning, from
Drayton Ptak, Staff,rdshire, the residence of his father-
in-law, Sir Robert Peel, and also uausacted business at the
Home Office. _ _ _ _

Mr. Stratford Canning, Ambassador from England to
the Court of Russia, set out from Vienna, on the 7th of
this month, to repair to his post at St. Pctersburgh.
Sir Charles liagot, Ambassador from his Britannic Ma-
jesty to the Court of the Netherlands, has delivered his
credentials to the King in a private audience.