The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-02-22 00:00:00

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of 13,000 men: the increase will be from the 45th
March, aril in the infantry only. Each battalion will be
raised from 575 rank and file to 740, or, incl,:dhlg eflicers,
froin GSG to 533. The infantry of the line, aelusive cf
those serving in India, are now in number 53,95 c ; by the
purposed adefttien to battalion. they will amount to
69,301, including offite.i. The geberal distribution of ti.ei
present force fa, for Great Britain, including reliefs, MOO
men ; for stations abroad, excepting India, 32;166 men/
and for Ireland, 20,879 men. An attempt, we observe;.is
making to call forth an eipreasion of pulite opinion against
the increase of our miiitary establishment. We predict,
confidently, that this attempt will fail. The people sff
England, no doubt, wish to be relieved from rem
part of their financial burthens, wlijeli► can safely aril
preperly, be removed ; but they are not so senseless
as, for the mere pleasure of clamouring against the
Alinistry, to desire that the military .power of their
country should lie reduced klow the standard, wleich,
looking to the vast extent of our dorninieua, and to the
emergencies that pay arise, is cessary to support the
authority of the Britiso Government. That would lre. A
false and a miserable economy, which, in .order to save
few thousands of pounds, World take from us the cotn?..
mending -station we now bold in the Affairs of the world,
By voluntarily shrinking into the condition of an insi,gtri-
ticant power, we should draw down upon ourselves con
tempt and insult, and at last he compelled to prove that,
our weakness was only apparent, by resorting to hostile
measures, which, in their very outset, would more than
absorb all the savings of this narrow and petty policy. As
to those who refer us continually to the reign cf Kin;
WILLI a u 111. for the constitutional mazirrram cf our ex.
penses, we know net hoW to reply to -them gravely. Why
not at once go back, with the late Major Cenvoratiairv,.
to the days of King ALF-AED and the Saxon Wittenagee
mote? In degree alone would the latter be more absurd.
but not a jot in principle. Let-tiny rasps for a moment con-
trast the commerce, ':-.)3pulitiOn, and territory, of the British
Empire now with what it spas aieentniy ego. Let him re-
flect, also, opowthe changes thqt have taken place within
the same paVid on the Continent of Europe. The true •
matter of soryrise- is, not that a force.cf .86,436 men shotthl
be required, but that so few should be ruflicient to uphold
the dignity and importance of this great country.
It will be observed, we are mire with great pleasure 14
the whole country, that Mr. Secretary Prat gave notice
last night, that on Thursday he will move for leave t:
bring in his excellent Bill, relative to the linpannelling cf
Juries.
•

His Royal Highness the Duke of York was so much re-
covered yesterday as to be able to ride out in his cabriales
in the course of the afternoon, and to pay a visit to the
King, at his Palace, in Pall-mall. His Royal Higher-4
was visited yesterday by the Princess Sophia.
We understand that their Poydl Highnesses the Dulles •
of Cumberland and Cambridge will both visit this Metro-
polis in the course of the ensuing month.
On the 11th instant, at seven o'clock, His Serene Itgh-
ness Frederick IV., Doke of Saxe Gotha, died. By
death the male line of the branch descending from Duke
Ernest the Pious, which has reigned nearly 200 years, is
extinct ; and the dominions of the House fall to Inc colla-
teral branches in Hildburghauten, Coburg, and Meinin-
gen, who have published a prnelamation.to that effect.
The money markets were lively throughout the day, sill
the prices at the close were for the most part firm. Coil-
sols for money 941 i to and the same terms may be quoted
for the account transactions. The foreign market sees et r
brisk, New Greek Scrip locked quite steady at t, and was
thought well of; the Old Greek was 67i to SS; Spanish
was a good deal looked after; it was done at 244 ; New
Spanish was 19i; the price of New Brazilian Scrip wat
44 ; Ncer Mexican, ditto 34 4;. the Mines were all ire-
provibg ; the Pasco Peruvian, which had such a sudden
advance towards the close of the week, fluctuated hetwece
49 and 46, and at the latter price it left off.
The petition of the Roman Catholics of Ireland will be
certainly presented by Sir F. Burdett this day. The Hoc.
Baronet was to have presented it yesterday ; but before be
had an opportunity of introduciug it, the House had re-
solved itself into a Committee ; after which, according to
the forms of the House, no petition can be received.
Upwards of one hundred thoimand signatures are sub-
scribed to the petition. It is generally expected that the
Hon. Baronet will also, in the course of the evening, give
notice of a Motion, the object of which will be to bring on
the immediate discussion of the general question of Catholic
Emancipation.
The Deputation of Irish Catholics, which has been now
in town since Friday, was increased y the arrival of Lord
Killeen, son of Lord Fintr,all, and a son of Lord Gormans-
town, on Sunday morning. The Deputation waited on
Sir Francis Burdett On Sunday. The best understanding
prevails between the members of the Irish and British
Catholic Associations. A General Meeting of the Catholic*.
is to take place on Friday next, and On Saturday it is pro-
posed to give Mr. O'Connell, and the ether gentlemen wb
compose the Deputation, a complimentary dinner. Se- •
veral of the most distinguished Parliamentary friends o:!'
Catholic Emeneipation are to be invited. It was at first
intended that the dirmer should be professedly Catholic;
but, in consequence of the number of applications which
have come from persons who do not answer that descriptioc;
the promoters of the dinner have resolved to call it a
dinner given by the friends of Ireland.
D. O'Connell, Esq. will take the chair at the City of
London Tavern, the let of March, for the dinner of the
East London Catholic Charity Schools.

It is reported in London, that unless other more impor-
tant changes take place in the Irish Administration be-
tween this and Easter, Mr. Plunkett will certainly get the
Irish Chancery Seals. I're also have it from good authOrtly
that Ministers are determined, under existing circumstances,
not to dissolve Parliament this year.—lrish Times.
It appears by private letters from Paris, that the meet,
ing in that capital, of the Ministers of the Continental
Powers was, intended before the British Government hat
announced its determination to conclude treaties with the
South American States. The approaching coronation of
the King of France afforded an opportunity which the
diplomatists had resolved not to neglect.
The mission of his Grace the Duke of Sorthuniberlantl,
as Ambassador Extraordinary on occasion of the Corona-
tion of the King of France, engrosses at present a great
share of the public attention and conversation. This em-
bassy will be supported with extraordinary splendor_
Forty of the Duke's principal lessees have offered to accom-
pany him at their own charge, as a mark of respect; and
it is very currently reported that his Grace's suit will be
augmented by a very numerous body of his tenantry.—
Newcastle Chronicle.
Letters have been received from Barcelona, dated Feb.
10, in which it is stated that Ferdinand has published a
decree, ordering the merchants of Barcelona, who are mak-
ing out claims for injuries done to Spanish commerce
.b?
the vessels of the States, to include in those Claims
all it,j,iry sustained from South American privateers whick
could be proved to have sailed from the ports of the tnite4
States. fh.., appearance of this decree has caused a great
sensation in Barcelona, it being feared that stich extrava-
gant pretensions may tetminate in hostilities. with America.
which would at once destroy all the little trade now carry •
ing on by the Spanish
By the Elizabeth,
letters dated the Sth

ter contain no local
former we learn witii
holidays had passed
all appearances led
would be restored to peel
excitement to mischief sr,

We regret to learn,
continues at Ali Vicars
10 Ince itarhly iny

h merchants.
Ekin, from Jamaica, wel,stre received
tilt. and paPera of the 6th. The las-
t or foreign news whatever. By thb
II great pleasure, that the Christ's*
orf Quietly with the negroes, and tbit
the colonists to hope that the islisal
N•rn,anent ttarquillity, unite" (nab
of was furnished from ,withouta
rn, that the riberaill• Dr. Part *ba
:stage of Ration; is in cue) 3
ttope of ido r-ootety. 1,1 •
• - •