The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-03-17 00:00:00

AFFAIRY OF PERU.

A letter from the highest authority in Peru to an official person
age in this country, dated biota, October 30, brings intelligence,
wh ch, though not of so late a date as some private letters that have
tea hed this country, is valuable ; for it shows that, in the opinion
o the most competent judge, the looses which Santa Cruz has sur-
fe al cannot have any material influence on the fate of Pent. The
following is en extract from the letter alluded to:—
The Constitutional Congress of Peru is about to terminate its
public labours, as it has already put the finishing stroke to the po-
je:t of the Constitution, which will cestainly be confirmed. This
co le is only provisional, as the permanent political Constitution of
the Republic will be the work of the Representatives of all the
Fpeople of Peru, who will assemble as won as they shall be entirely
reed from the Spanish domination. This country, its truth, not
only improves in its military. establishment, but also enlarges at
the fame time its civil institutions.
•• The Spaniards occupy the whole of the Sierra, and part of
17pper Pt ru ; but Gen01:111101iftif, who has taken the direction of
the war, is supported by General Lanza, with 1,600 men. Gen-
ial Bolivar also maintains 2,0110 men in Aloquebus, under
the orders of General Sawa Cruz ; 6,000 Colombians, 2,000
front Buenos Ayres, and 1,000 Chilians, between Liens sad Pisa*.
2.600 Chinon' are hourly expected, who were to leave Valparaiso
on the 15th inNtaLt : 3,000 Colombians, from Panama, are already
on their passage. Associated with these forces are the 3,000 Pe-
ruvians who arc in 'fruxillo, with Rive Aguerro (he not having
been able to resist the powerful mediation of General Bolivar in his
disagreement with the Congress). Thus Peru will have in action
an effective force of 21,000 men, and the Spaniards must disap-
pear. It is expected that the influence of this force will lead to an
armistice of eighteen months between the contending powers in
Peru Lut if the Spaniards refuse to give way, or this Government
should object to the armistice, General Bolivar if quite prepared to
free Peru from the enapty.

FROM LAST NIGHTS GAZETTE.
Forcipt-Ojfice, March 16.
The King has been pleased to appoint Henry Newnan. EM-
be his 31ajesty's Consul- for the States of North and South 1
to reside at Charleston. .-
13A N K RUPVMLAEOED.
J. Perkins, Upper Thames-street, stationer, from Mardi 2s,
May 11, at eleven, at the Bankrupts' Court.
11A N KR U P TCY SUPERSEDED.
T. Freethy, Acton, Middlesex, carpenter.
BANKRUPTS.
T. Boswell, Surrey-street, Strand, hider, to surrender, Illareitlk
30, and Aril 27, at twelve. at the Bankrupts' Court. Suliehoq
Mr. W. Rtchardson, %Valbrook.
J. Underwood, Bloxwieh, Stafford, malt:ter, April 6,7, and 27,
at eleven, at the Fox Inn, Shrewsbury, Salop. Solicitors, Mr. J.
Fester, Liverpool ; and Messrs. Watson, Bower, and Wil.
ha. Tokenhouse.yard.
%V. C. Corrie, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, lace-dealer,
. .

March 24, at six, 23, aid Apa 17, at davit, at the Mod lea,
Wellingborough. '6oheitors, Illetas. Hodson and Bambara,
IVellingborough ; and Messrs. Bridges and Quitter, Red Lion.

square.
J. Keele, Waterloo-road, Surrey, stationer, March 23, and April
10, and 27, at devils. at the Bankrupts' l'ourt. Solicitors, Mesars.
(hid and Leader, Wormwood-street, Ilishopegate-street.
DIVIDENDS.
April 10. J. Pettit and S. R. Burch, Southwark, hop-factors, at
eleven, at the Bankrupts Court.
April lir. J. Barker, Stratford, Esse:, common-brewer, at
eleven, at the Bankrupts' Court.
April 9. T. Davis, Great Barr. Aldridge. Stafford, maltster, at
eleven, at the Three Tune Inn, Sutton Coltitield, Warwick.
April & W. IValker, Wortley, Leeds, York, merchant, at eleven,
at the Court-house, heeds.
April 3. H. Clark., Swallowtiehl, Wilts, grocer, at eleven, at the
Bear Inn. Reading, Berks.
April 7. E. Chittentlen, Ashford, Kent. ironmonger, at twelve,
at the Royal Hotel,
CERTIFICATES.—Arta. S.
J. Lincoln, Norwich, miller—J. Antrobus, Liverpool, draper—
E. Davies, Higla-sireet. Sootbsark--J. Fletcher, Plunilsnd, Cum.
berhuid, limeborner—l'. Dowse, Chancery-lane, law-stationer—
J. Rawlins, Milton, Sliiptor-tinder-Whichwoo,l, Oxford, druggist
—W. 31errer, Packer's-court, Coleinan-street, wine-merchant—lL
Hodge, Wilkes's-place, Holton Old Town, and of Duval's-lane,
Islington, brick.maktr.
PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED.
G. Lovatt and W. Ilarvey. Comptou-street, Clerkenwell, ma-
ichine-sawyers—J.. W. 11., 11. art: H. Franks. It and E. Jones,
and J. and M. Bourne, Snedshill, Shiffirel, Salop, shopkeepers—
H. Feghsr, R. Cox, and D. Hewlett, Stroud, Gloucestershire,
Standen and B. Lea, Long-lane, Aldersgate-street,
tailors—J. Moore and A. East, New Bor.d.atreet, brecches.makers
--J. Thomson and .1. Yorshaw, Liverpool, coopers—J. Ray and J.
Hammy, Perth —T. Plowman. W. Hammond. and J. Moore,
Bungay. Suffolk, euschmiasterr--J. G. Smith and R. Rhead, jun.
New castle-untlai-Lyme paper.manufacsuren—D. Glad.
atone, J. Foster. and T. Dove, Liverpool. iron-founders (an fur as
regards the said T. Dsve)—J. Foster and J. Erman, Manchester,
bricklayers—R. E. lleatboote, Esq. lessen Hall, Stafford, and
C. B. Heathcote, Esq. Leamington, Warwick, common-brewers—
E. Mason and I. Hobley, South:au, Warwick, plumbers—E.
Priestley, S. Norris, and J. Sykes, Huddersfield mid 31araden,
York, merchants.

The first pile of the new Loudon-bridge was sunk yes-1
tcrday morning, amidst the cheers of a great number of
persons who had collected on both sides of the water, and
on the west side of London-bridge, to witness the com-
mencement of this great undertaking.
Wox Dens NEVER CZAME.—A landlady in IVorksop ap-
plied to the worthy Vicar for a Herne! to be married to her
grAndrion. It is understood the application was refused
with Incoming indignation. The lady is upwards of rizty,
and the intended bridegroom in his 'went:lV:Jilt year.
This reminds us of the poem of Moore, beginning—
"l think 1 onc,: hcsal of an animus youth," &c. &c.

THE BACHELOR'S WIFE,
A SELECTION or CURIOUS AND I • INO EXTRACTS,
WITH CURSORY OBSERVATIONS.

By JOHN HALT, Eq.

When this work was announced from the pen of Mr.
Galt, we tuck it for grata' el that the Bachelor's Wife was
the mysterious heroine of a novel, and that the title would
be unriddled in the ultimate disclosure of the plot. Being
previously well acquainted with the talents of this great
rival of the Northern Novelist, we had prepared our minds
to meet with Scottish characters, drawn whh great shrewd-
ness of perception, and Scottish manners delineated with
great acuteness, and described with much humour; when,
behold ! inste•ad of this Scotus liediricus which we had ex-
pected, we found a volume of Selections, extremely modest
in its pretensions, but at the same time having infinitely
greater interest than productions of this sort usually pos-
sess. The nymph Egeria, the Bachelor's wife, in her ori-
ginal observations, which accompany the different extracts,
displays, we were going to say, a masculine vigour of mind—
but perhaps our sex hardly deserve this compliment: we I
will therefore say, a capacity well cultivated by reflection,
and which shows that she must have often trimmed the
midnight lamp, while poring over the recondite treasures
of literature, and collating the gems, " rich and rare,"
which are here spread before us. The Bachelor himself {
seems to be an unwearied investigator, and—which is no
light praise—to be well able to appreciate the value of
what he discovers. _ _ _ _

If men of taste and judgment, who read much, and who
in the course of their reading occasionally come across
topics of deep interest, and fall unexpectedly upon curious
matter, buried amidst discussions which few regard, or
brightening the pages of works long since forgotten : if
such persons would,- as Mr. Galt has done, extract them
for the amusement of the public, and thus restore to usi
many precious relies which had otherwise been lost,
they would perform a most acceptable service.
The contents of this volume present so ample a store
from which to select, that we scarcely know which speci-
man to prefer. We will take the curious illustration of
national history, which is given us by Harrison, a writer
of Queen Elizabeth's time, who, speaking of the additional
splendor of gentlemen's houses in that age (about 1360),
has the following remarks on

" Tur GROWTH or Loxunr.—in times past the costlie
furniture staled there, whereas now it is descended yet lower, even
unto manic farmers, who, by venue of their old and not of their
new leases, have for the MOM part learned also to garnish their cup.
bores with plate, their ioined beds with tapistrie and alike hangings,
and their tables with carpets and fine naperie, whereby the wealth
of our countrie (God be praised therefore, and give us grace to im-
ploie it well!) duoth infinitlie ampere. Neither doo I speske this in
!Troth of anie man, God is my Judge, but to .hew that I do re-
pute rather, to see how God bath blessed us with his good gifts ;
and wildest I 'behold how that in a time wherein all things are
growen to most excessive prices, and what commotlitie so ever is
to be had, is daily plucked from the commonaltie by such as looke
in to everie trade, we don yet find the means to obtain and archive
such furniture as here to fore bath beene Whpossible. There are old
men yet dwelling in the village where I Temaine, which have noted
three things to be marvellouslie altered in England within their
sound remembrance ; and other three things too too much en.
creased. Owe is, the multitude of chininies latelie erected, whereas'
in their yoong dales there were not above two or three, if so manic,
in most uplandish towns of the resbue, (the religious houses and
manor places of their lords alwaies excepted, and peradventure
some great personages) but ech one made his tire against a rere
dosse in the hall, where he dined and dressed his meat.
" The second is the great (although not general]) amendment
of lodging, for (said they) our fathers (yea and wee ourselves also)
have lien full oft upon straw pallets, on rough mats covered onlie
with a sheet, under coverlets made ofdagswain or hop. harlots ( I
use their owne termes) and a good round log under their heads in-
stead of a bolster or pillow. If it were so that our fathers, or the
good man of the house, had within seven yeares after his marriage
purchased a meatus sr thwke-be), and thereto a melte of chaffs to
rest his head upon, he thought himselfe to be as well lodged as
the lord of the towne, :hat peruiventure laic seltlonte in a bed of
downe or whole (ethers ; so well were they contented, and with
such base kind of furniture: which also is not eerie much amended
as yet in some parts of Bedfordshire, and elsewhere further off
from our southcrne parts. Pillowes (said they) were thought mkt
onelie for women in child bed. As for servants, if they had anie
sheet above them it was well, for seldom had they anie under their
bodies, to keepe then: front the pricking straws that ran oft through
the Moral of the pallet, and rased their hardened hides.

" The third thing they tell of, is the exchange of vessell, as of
dame platters into pewter, and wodden spumes into silver or tin.
For so common was all sorts of trams stun is iiht time, that a
man should hardlie find four preen of pewter (of which one was
paodventure a salt) in a good farmer's house, and yet for all this
frugalitie (if it may so be justly called) they were sauce able to
live and paie their rents at their dales without selling of a cow, or
an home, or more, although they paid but (owe pounds at the
uttermost by the yeare. Seth also was their povenie, that if some
one oil tamer or husbandman bad bieue at the alehouse, a thing
.aldn reed in those dates, amongst eta or seven of his neigh.
re,trand there in a braverie to chew what store he had, did cast
downe his purse, and therein a noble or six shillings in silver unto
them Oa few such men then eared for gold, because it was not so
radio paiment, and they were oft inforced to give • penie for the
exchange of an angel]) it was retie likelie that all the rest could
not late downe so much against it : whereas in ray time, although
peradventure foure pounds of old rent be improved to fortie,
or an hundred pounds, yet will the farmer as another pekoe or
data re thinke his gaines verie small toward the end of his terme,
if he have not six oe seven years rent living by him, therewith to
purchase a new lease, beside a faire garnish of pewter on his cup-
WM, with so much in od remit going about the house, duke or
foure feather beds, so manic coverlids and carpets of tapistrie, a
silver salt, • bowie foe wine (irtiot an whole neast) and a doszen of
spoones to furnish up the tote."
'We have here an instructive lesson on the wealth of
nations. Those who trace the progress of poverty, and the
prevalence of distress, to exorbitant rents, the high price of
commodities, and the vast amount of the public debt, must
be struck with the fact that, three hundred years ago, when
farmers "paid but lialre pounds at the uttermost by the
pare," and when the money price of all agricultural pro-
duce must hare been low in proportion, "they were scarce
able to live and pair their rent, without selling a cow, or a
horse, or mote r About this period (1b40) meadow and
pasture land of the best quality let at a shilling an acre.
We have sufficient evidence of this upon record. Two
hundred acres of land, viz. one hundred acres of meadow
and one hundred of pasture, at Aladdingly in Cambridge-
shire, are declared by Act of Parliament "to be in the
whole of the yearly value of ten pninds, and so lett unto
farm, to the use and intent, that the profits thereof should
be for the
_fees and wages ef the Knights (in Parliament)
for the county of Cambric/4re ; and this land was therefore
called the Shire-Hancr, and was now actually let to John
Ilinde, Serjeant at Law, for that sum yearly. " While the
landholders found it so difficult to get their rents—as, from
this distressed state of their tenantry they must have done I
—ve may be sure that there was complaining enough I
among th; poorer classes as to the price or previsions; and
vet at this period the price of meat was regulated by law.
Ry an Act of the 24,th Henry VIII. c. 3 (A.D. 1333),
beef, pork, mutton, and veal, were directed to be sold fp
weight (for the first time) ; and that no person should
takeabove one lsalfpennya pound for beef or pork, nor above
three, farthings for mutton or veal. Those low rents and
low prices show that there was but little wealth in the
country!Land that the silver'of America had not got into
circulation. Indeed the mines of Peen had been but re-
cently discovered, and the precious metals had as yet no
influence on prices. paper was .4 material not
knowu : it hail not then, as now,

•• Lent corruption lighter wirgl to fly ;"

and yet all the ncemarics of life are cheaper at present
than they were then, and all the contihrts more within the
reach of the cutiogct• in t/.:•sc days, than of Me Corot in
those.

We have lan led to a length of remark on this first
extract, which leaves us no room for others, of considerable
interest, which we bad intended to make. We must there-
fore content ourselves with recommending The Bachelor's
Wiji as an admirable fire-side companion: in truth, it
fail:rarely to the lot of man to find a connubial partner at
once so quiet and so entertaining.