The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1821-07-21 00:00:00

adia, Ls ft Itppe to es ran a Ittoderale portion or
the public mouey be better employed rho,' io coo.

tribune% iscemicnially to the gratification of people
at leer, though it twelve's sultriently (leant to
Kite the tett of eternity to each enjoyment. We
know that there toe teeny politicians who look on
such proceedings with deep sospieion, considering
them as a mastifestatiou of an unsousid principle,
as well in the people as in the Government—as not
belonging properly to • Tree constitation, and as
• bribe to the Tholtitude extorted by fear; and not
an lionoureble largesse Iststowecl with munificence
sod screwed with gratitude. Bat, looking around
as, be can perceive no *MOM to justify the nary.
sion, in the present circumstances of the country,
of inch Orkney apprehensions. There are instances,
no doubt, in the histories of the great ancient re-
publics. whale the ambitious leaders of potties cot.
'opted the native simplicity of the people by the
bribery of splendid show. and festivals, and drew
...from their venal support the means of overturning
the general liberty. Pie imperial masters of the
.•
Roman world in subsequent limes (mid it expe-
dient, if not necessary, to purchase popular foreei
by Ike frequent spectacle .1 splendid exhibitions,
and eel:Wildly of theistical representations, and
this necessity seems in every age to have been felt
by despotic owes, so that, in fro, with them to
keep the people in pod hien:sure. by affording
them the indulgence of public amosetnents, hes
generally been the distitignishing policy of their
domestic administrations. It does nut, however,
follows because arbitrary governments may find.
Mich a mode of amusing the people politic or ise-
ceetery, that therefere the extension of similar in-
dulgences to the people of this country should be
considered as an indication of an approach to arbi.
Islay principles on the put of our Government. or
should be supposed to operate as • bribe to the
people to betray their political interests.
It his been often and truly remarked, that the
mere ceremony of the coronation adds nothing
whatsoever either to the dignity or the power of the
KIN., nod that it might be performed or omitted
altogether at the discretion of his MAJESTY. Such
especially was the point of the argument urged by
the King's Attorney and Solicitor-General before
the Council So opposition to the QUEEN'S claim
to share the honours of the gorgeous ceremony.—.
We must, however, confess, that to our minds this
ceremony is not without its importance. Not an.
importaat are the proud recollections of chivalrous
pomp and glory that are inspired by it, and which
are_so intimately blended with the spirit-stirring
losesciowsness of national greatness and indepeod-.
etic'e ; not unimportant is the proud display of
all that is eminetit amongst as iu rank, learning.
virtue, piety, and velour—all united into out
bright gelsxy.—the mind, the animating rill.
tilde of the notion, made visible and environed with
every circumstance of dignity and splendour.
Such an occasion ought not to be omitted for die•
playing the distinctions of rank, as upon such dis-
tiuctions the frame of our admirable Constitution
is founded; but beyond every thing is its import.
; once raised, as it affords to • free people the best and
swot appropriate opportunity of devoting the veil
iteneous offering of their affectionate loyalty to tim
person of their K Inn. This opportunity was Natal
on Thurodey, and never did a Monarch reeekkilbilksb,
• his people in general more ardent and outheisotii

I, assursnces of fidelity and love than were muff
on the day of the coroastion, in every way.. y .
immense multitude of this 'metropolis to our overt
esZ
sent beloved and gracious KING.
From the preparations that are known to have
been made in every pod of the United Kingdom
fur celebrating the ceenention. it is clear that the
festivities of the day wow not congaed to the me•
tropolis. In tremifAity and large town in the em•
Aire means were adopted toveoable the masa or the
people to shore these festivities—in some, by the
exhibition of splendid shows; in others, by the more
substantial enjoyment of good old English cheer.
This latter mode of celebrating the eveist is err.
tainly the most rational, as it is the molt geomally
useful, but it is suited only fur small coestuuni.
ties, such as for the tenants of • nobleman or
wealthy commoner, where the feeling of deference
and respect will ensure decorum. We shall pro-
bob!, hear of many Of these rural festivals when
the Peers, having now discharged their duty to the
KING, shall return to the midst of their own little
kingdoms in the different parts of the country.
Such occasional acts of liberality and imialgetice
are strong pioinoters of kindly feelings alma both
aides, and are, in our opinion, productive of more
public good than is generally imagined. Them
cannot be a scene of higher interest or of purer
enjoyment, nor oue more strongly calculated to
excite the finest sympathies of our nature, than the
spectacle of an English nobleman or gentleman
standing in the midst of his tenantry, dispensing
anion them comfort and happiness, and receiving
from their honest, contented facts, the simple but
eloquent expression of their gratitude.

Yesterday. at three o'clock. a Cabinet Council
was held at the Foreign 06ice. which get iu
deli-
beration till about lire.
Ou Tuesday. at half-peat Ist o'clock. a Com-
mittee ut official Gentlemen assembled at Fife
Howse, Whirehall. to take into consideration
the reduction of a number •f °Sera. Among
these Iffeetnis besides the Earl of Lieserooc.
were. the CGANCNLLOR of the Excuse()Bar Sir
CSAIILES LONG, Mr. ARSUTIINOT. M►. Hue-
-11155011, the Duke of MILLINGTON, the Secre—
tary at Waft &c.