The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-02-11 00:00:00

THE BRITISH PRESS.


dui his object was that the inquiry should be bread and
comprehensive.
In the House of Corr.mons, Mr. Gov t.BUIN obtained
leave to introduce the Bill for amending the existing laws
relative to illegal Asscciitions in Ireland. This measure,
the Right Honourable Gentleman stated, would extend to
all societies assuming to act. for redress of grievances. all
Committees of permanent duration, and all Associations
formed in levy or collect money. It will aka include dB-
Lated and corresponding Societies which refuse admission
to any persons on account of their religious faith, or which
are bound by any midis not sanctioned by the laws of the
country. Scientific, literary, and charitable Associations
will be left untouched in their operation, and the ordinary
mode of proceeding will be by indictment, though, in cases
of vexatious prosecution, the right of interference will be
reserved for the Al TORNEY•GINEZAL. The Acts pro-
pail to be amended are the Irish Convention Act of
1793, and the Act of 190 against Secret Societies.
‘tr. Alll/CIOYBY, Sir HENRY PAIiNILL, Mr. Jour;
Vr-itttaus, and Mr. Dews •N, strongly opposed the in-
troduction of the Bill, which was supported by Mr. Lulu
Fosrexand Mr. Secretary Pest.. Mr. JoeN Slill H spoke
'ear), in the debate, but not decisively, with respect to the
}:noosed measure. He reserved himself until lie saw its
prof isions. Oa the conclusion of Mr. DENXAN'ti speech,
whirl was peculiarly vehement, the call for adjournment
was general from all parts of the House, and accordingly
at a quarter past two the remainder of the debate was
deferred till this evening.

The Time* of yesterday gives a leading article on the I
!abject of Joint Stock Companies, from which it is difficult
to withhold our admiration :
" With respect to the suggestion of the Members of Par-
Lament interested in any of the new projects or Joint Stock
C mnpanies should abstain from voting or acting when the
propriety of those speculations was before the Legislature,
we have now to add, that it has not been unusual, on the
starting of a new project, for the self-elected Directors to
transmit an offer of a certain number of shares to Members
of Parliament, hoping that the scheme would meet with
:,:ae support of the said Members in the House. This pro-
ceeding appears to us to be of the nature of a bribe ; and
we trust that, wherever a proposition so revolting to gen-
t•.emanly feeling has been made, the fact will be declared."
Really, an insinuation of this sort against the integrity
of the Commons house of Parliament, emanating from
Printing-house-square, is a curiosity. Those concerned
drawing up this delectable paragraph, must themselves
b.• very much in the confidence of the projectors of these
various schemes, to be able to instruct their readers in the
inistery of their proceedings. It would not be difficult to
s,..ebtr, that, as far as Members cf Parliament are affected
by this public slander, the imputation it contains is as un-
deserved as it is contemptible. But we could not with
qua' readiness undertake to exonerate all newspaper pro-
p, ietors, were they to be accused of having received from
these self-elected Directors " an offer of a certain number
of shame." Indeed, we know the report to be very ge-
neratly current, as well as of the fact, that these courteous
°Tees were as courteously accepted. It very often hap-
pens, that the most corrupt are the most forward to im-
peach the purity of others, in order to put their own
beyond suspicion. It would be carrying our confidence
the extreme of pastoral simplicity, were we seriously
to add, that—" We trust, that wherever a proposition
so revolting to gentlemanly feeling has been made, the
j..i will be declared." The Mining speculations were
certainly many of them of a kind which it behoved
every Journal that took the interests of the public at all
under its guardianship, or that ever passed its opinion on
the passing occurrences of the day, to have earnestly re-
marked upon, and to have made the prevalent infatuation
the subject of its comment and its caution. The Times
did neither: but it makes up for its silence, while this folly
of speculation was at its height, by aspersing the character
and defaming the integrity of Members of Parliament,
new that the insane fervour is dying away. The writer pre-
fers his charge as presumptuously as if he had proved it:
ibis proceeding appears to us to be in the nature of a
libe." The Times, undoubtedly, on such a subject, is an
authority from which there lies no appeal. No Journal
better une.erstands the nature of a brihe, or is better
qeslifled to moralize on the enormity of its illicit influent e.

Our readers will notice with great satisfaction, thai
tho Common Council of the City of London yesterday,
voted a grant of 5001. in aid of the subscription for the
reitel of tire Spanish and Italian refugees. The motion
was carried unanimously in a very full assemblage of the
the Members of the Civic Parliament. This proceeding
retied; honour on the Corporation.
The English markets were somewhat duller yesterday
than they had previously been in the course of the week.
Consols for the Account were 9313, and the bargains for
Inspey were done at the same prices. This circumstance is
u;nally considered as indicative of heavy sale,. Indeed the
aocount transactions were rather flat at the close of Wed-
nesday's market. The Foreign Securities fur the most part
maintained their prices. Brazilian Scrip was firm at 4. •
Spanish continued at 22i. The new Mexican Scrip was Si
premium, and looked well. Colombian Bonds were in a
trailingdegree depressed ; Greek Bonds were done at 5q 9.
The cause assigned for their decline was, that speculators
were anxious to part with the old, to be ready for the new
Scrip which will be out in a few days, and is already in
considerable repute.
The applications for the new Greek loan amounted to
Ib millions sterling.
'The Dublin Papers of hl..nday say nothing as to the
feeling produced in Ireland by the expressed determination
of Ministers to put down the Catholic Association.
We understand that Lord Liverpool, Mr. Canning, Mr.
Huskisson, and several of the Cabinet Ministers, will be
present at the anniversary dinner of the Ship-owners'
Society, on Saturday next, at the City of London Tavern.
The Hon. Robert S. Dundas is appointed one of the
Commissioners of the Navy Board, in the roam of the
Ate lion. E. Bouverie.
We understand that Mr. O'Connell, and a deputation
from the Catholic Association of Dublin, are expected to
arrive in town in a few days. The Learned Gentleman
will certainly preside on Tuesday next, at the dinner of
the East London Cathole Charity Schools.
We are sorry to learn. that the funds of that excellent
charity, the Middlesex Hospital, are in a state to call fur
the assistance of those wha possess the means and incline-
too, to secure to the lower classes of society its invaluable

In the year 1824, the number of persons admitted to
11".!7I the British Museum, amounted to 115,1340.
Mr. Rayner has been playing a round of his favourite
characters at Newcastle and Sunderland, at which places
he has drawn greater houses than have seen known flute
for years.
The Mernte-s of the Atheneum are, it is said, about to
erect a splendid mansion on part of the present ate of the
King's Well*.
The Onental Club is laid to be in treaty with the Mar-
tinis of Anglesya for the purchase of Uxbridge House, in
•Saville-row.
Earl Fitswilliam and the lion. F. Ponsonby have sub-
Aetjhod to the Catholic Rent.
Vie damages and taxed csnts in " Foote v. Rayne" were
roxTesday'everting; and the money lent by Mr.
to Mr. Foote was repaid at the nose time.


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