The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-08-19 00:00:00

HAYMARKET THEATRE.

THE.4TRES.

Sheridan's play of The Critic ; or, a Trag-c,lt
hearscd,.was last night revived at this theatre. It iv4sl::-•
performed at Drury-lane in the year 1779, and notwid.:
standing its want of originality, being manifestly modent !
after the play of The Rehearsal, by the Duke of Bucking_
ham, and the dangers which the author appears to htn.,
anticipated in the following lines from the prologue :
Can he undaunted breve the critic's raga ?
In civil !mils with brother bards engage ?
Hold forth their errors to the public eye 2
No, more, e'en newspapers themselves defy ?
the drama became a popular favourite, and has retained
its popularity to the present day. Mr. King then sustain-
ed the past of Puff: Mr. Parsons that of Sir Pretf„!
Plagiary, and Mr. Palmer that of Sneer, the characters or,
whom the whole interest of the play depends, and ',hid,
give it its peculiar and pointed feature. Mr. Sheridan
was justly accused of gross and bitter personal - attacks it,
this, as in some others of his productions. The School Icr,
Scandal, for example, in which he severely satirized the
Rev. Sir Bate Dudley, to whom he subsequently made the
amende honourable, in the course of an address to the
House of Commons. He was, however well skilled in the
knowledge of the abuses which in hid play of The Critic he
has endeavoured to expose, and his object was a merits.
rious one if his intention were to destroy those drawlin;
and sickly compositions which had taken the place of their
less delicate, but far more witty predecessors.
" The reformation to extremes had run."

Notwithstanding that the characters, with the exception of
that of Sir Fretful Plagiary, which was entirely new to
the Drama, though one of frequent occurrence in real Itp,,
were none of them novel, there was a novelty in the appb.
cation of the satire, together with what some very wise per.
sons considered a complete expose of the art of drama-making
and puff-writing, that instantly confirmed the piece in the
favour of the public, who thus fancied themselves admitted
behind the scenes, and introduced, as it were, into tie
whole mystery of either art. Its revival at the Haymarket
Theatre was attended by -a most crowded audience, and
was received with the usual marks of welcome and regard.
The characters, however, were not all well cast, ar
the players call it." The part of Sneer, the accurate
t personification of which is, in our ectimation, the resit
difficult of the whole piece, was given to Mr.lVilliaro
• Johnson, who had about as much of the fretful plug.
riot as the ascetic critic, and who is much better fitted. to
fill the place of the prompter, whose business it is to cry
" yes, sir," and " no, sir, from behind the scenes. He
was dressed in a frock coat and cossack trousers, while his
heavy boots were like those of a trooper. Instead of being a
sarcastic snarler, he was a mere and a tame rear
of better things, and but for his name we should not base
been able to distinguish him from one of the very obedient
• humble servants of Sir Fretful Plagiary and Mr, p:
The Sir Fretful of Mr. W. Varren is well known and esi.
mated. In the only scene in which he appears, hisactin;
was so admirable as to call faith " repeated bursts of ap.
plause," to borrow the words of Mr. Prff; " from a men
brilliant and judicious audience." Mr. Harley made his
first appearance in the character of the tragedian Puff, and,
although in the conception and execution of the part he is
certainly inferior to Jones, he has added in no trifling de-
gree to his dramatic fame by the performance. Hie illus-
trations of " the various sorts of puffs" were given with
much humour and effect, and during the rehearsal
of his tragedy, his acting was excellent. His delivers
was, however, frequently eo quick asio become indiAine..,
and many of his good things were lost to the majority of
those who ought to have been his hearers. Mr. Raymond
sustained the part of Dane, but Mr. Raymond is a very
young actor, and his experience does not enable him top
beyond the representation of a walking gentleman. It iris
therefore injudicious to select him for the performance of a
very arduous task. The characters in the tragedy were,
we conceive, all ably sustained. Mr. West was the Dos
Whiskerandos, and he pourtrayed the " frantic hero's wild
delirium" passing well. 'fhe drama was announced for
repetition " until further notice," of course without a dis.
senting voice.
COBURG THEATRE.

As it is an acknowledged principle that competition is
always advantageous to the public, the Managers at this
Theatre have become competitors with the Anatonve
Vivante. This personage is certainly the last that we
should wish to set up in opposition to, for the purpose of
dividing the curiosity of the town ; but ehocure a !OF Olt,
and the proprietors of the Coburg, with true nttiotial
jealousy, determined that a Frenchman should not bear
away the palm, even as a skeleton ; and we should think in
that they have completely succeeded; for, although we
have not as yet had the honour of a presentation to the
subject of Charles X, we think it impossible that he can
possess a more sepulchral appearance than his English pro-
totype at this theatre. The piece that brings befsre the
public this living spectre has various quivoques, and mane
puns, which, although not new (and where are they:a
be met with by wholesale at this time of day
were judiciously selected. Sparerib (Davidge) a student
in medicine, in love and in debt, who had not tasted (cod
for thirty-six hours, whose teeth were so sharp set that
he could " snap flint stones enough to macadamise half
London," and whose " fingers ran up and down List i
unobstructed by flesh, as those of a lady run up and down
the keys of a harpsichord," was called upon in his garret,
by Sharp, a debtor, who after some conversation provosts
to him, by way of " Raising the Wind," to exhibit him-
self as a skeleton, which character he could so well pose-
nate in consequence of his spare diet for the last Fit
months, observing, that the public would rather give Ile-
a-crown a piece to see a man without flesh, than sixpcm
a piece to put one in good condition. Sparerib rather pre-
• ferred showing himself by deputy, which was agreed to be
his dun, and that led to the introduction of the real ski.
leton of the Coburg, for whose appearance an anxious
party were waiting, amongst whom were the father el
Sparerib and his lover. The former scolded, and the
latter looked pensive, but a reconciliation was browal:
about aftn- the skeleton had been arrested by two " bee
pies of the law," who believed him to he Sparerib in do-
guise, aping whom they had a writ. Upon the whole,
this is a very amusing little piece, and, in our judgment
will tell much better than some of a graver cast ; for
confess our taste is to laugh when we go to a minor thou
and we thilik a person must be in a very ill-humour it
could Lot laugh heartily at this facetious effort.
The Burning of the Kyrie East incliaman was a part
the entertainment of the evening, and a very effective
presentation it is of that awful occurrence. The sem
which is always good at this house, was particularly
racteristic iu this melc-Brame.

YORESIIIIIIE MUSIC•L FESTIVAL.—WC have
pleasure in stating, that the Very Reverend the Deer
received a letter from the Rev. C. R. Sumner, Librant
the King, communicating his Majesty's gracious c
mands, that a copy of Dr. Arnold's splendid edition of
entire Works of Handel, in 47 volumes folio, from
Royal Library at Buckingham-house, shall be
to the Directors of the Yorkshire Musical Featly

use of the ensuing and all other Festivals which
devo'ed to charitable purposes. This mark of his
jesq's favour is highly gratifying, and proves the iot
taken in the success of our approaching Festival,
royal and munificent Patron.--,York Commit.

On Monday last the annual meeting of the Li%
and West Lancashire Association, in aid of the Lei
Missionary Society, was held in Great George-1
Chapel. Many excellent speeches were delivered on
cccasion by the Reverend Gentlemen who attended the
niversary Meeting, and liberal contributions made it
of the funds of the Society.
Mr. Peel's Bill for the regulation of Juries will re
about 1,500 persona in this town eligible to serve, jolt
of about 150, as heretofore.—Brighion Paper.
THE SEVENTH FUZII.EERS.—The following parerll
appears in a Morning Paper :
'• TRANSPORT LOST.—It was rumoured ii this town yelitei2
but we cannot trace upon what authority, ttat 3 HatISPOHI
on board 500 of the 7th Fuzileers, lately stationed hers. 11,'/
en her way to Malta, and that all on board perished. 111
cerely hope that the report may prove unfounded.—Mo'c'
Merekcy, Ato,:ust 16."
We are enabled to state, from the inquiries we L
caused to be made at the proper departments, that the 0'
statement is wholly unfounded.
The E:tglish Gas Company has undertaken to light
city of Frankfort with oil gas for ten years for 20.
florins annually (which is the same that the lighur
the city has hitherto cost), and for this it promiaa
nish more light, and much better.

I

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E N. 17031 lE VIVANDE.
The following account of this extraordinary being will
be found to contain some interesting particulars and obser-
vations regarding him :
" I was at the Chinese Saloon' before the doors were
opened, and was the first of the public admitted, followed
by my friend, the artist. Seurat was not quite ready to
,appear ; in the mean time, another eisiter or two arrived,'
and after examining the canopy, and other arrangements,
my attention was directed to the Chinese papering of the
!tom; While Seurat had silently opened the curtains that
concealed hint, and stood motionless towards the front of
the platforni. Oil burning round, I was instantly
„rivetted by his amazing emaciation ; he seemed another
Lazarus, come forth without his grave-clothes, and
for a moment I was too consternated to observe!
more than his general appearance. My eye, thend
first caught his arm as the most remarkable
limb ; from the shoulder to the elbow it is like an ivory
German flute somewhat deepened in colour by age ; it is
notlareer, and the skin is of that hue, and, not having a
trace of muscle, it is as perfect a cylinder as a writing rule.
Amazed by the wasted linilfs, I was still more amazed by
the extraordinary depression of the chest. Its indentation
is similar to that which an over-careful mother makes in
the pillowed surface of an infant's bed for its repose. Na-
ture has here inverted her own order, and turned the con-
vex inwards, while the nobler orgaos, obedient to her will,
maintain life by the gentle exercise of their wonted func-
tions in a lower region. Below the ribs, which are well
described its the accounts already given, the trunk so im-
mediately curves in, that the red band of the silk-cover-
ing, though it is only loosely placed, seems a tourniquet
to constrict the bowels within their prison-house, and the
hip-bones, being of their natural size, the waist is like a
warp's. By this part of the frame we are reminded of some
!descriptions of the abstemious arid Bedouin Arab of the
desert, in whom it is said the abdomen seems to cling to
the vertebra. If the integument of the bowels can be called
flesh, it is the only flesh on the body ; for it seems to have
wittily/ shrunk front the limbs ; and where the muscles
that have not wholly disappeared remain, they are also
shrunk. He wear! shoes to keep cold from his feet, which '
are not otherwise shaptd than those of people who have
been accustomed to wear tight shoes ; his instep is good,
anti by no means so flat as in the generality of tavern
waiters. His legs are not more ill-shaped than in extremely
thin or much-wasted persons ; the right leg, which is
somewhat larger than the left, is not less than were the
legs of the late Mr. Swett, the comedian.
" Seurat's head and body convey a sentiment of anti-
thesis. When the sight is fist(' on his face alone, there is
nothing there to denote that he varies from other men. I
examined him closely and frequently, felt him on different
parts of the body, and, not speaking his language, put
questions to him through others, which he readily ans-
wered. His head has been shaved, yet a little hair left on
the upper part of the neck, shows it to be black, and he
wears a wig of that colour. His strong black beard is
perceptible, although clean shaved. His complexion is
swarthy, and his features are good, without the emaciation
of which his body partakes; the cheek-bones are high,
and the eyes are dark brown, approaching to black. They
are represented as heavy and dull, and to denote little men-
tal capacity ;•but, perhaps a watchful observer, who made
pertinent inquiries of him in a proper manner, would re-
mark otherwise. He usually inclines the head forward
towards his breast, and therefore, and because he is
elevated above the spectators, his eyes frequently assume a
position wherein he might see, and descant upon his own
deformity.' His features are flexible, and therefore capa-
ble of great animation, and his forehead indicates capacity.
Depression of the eyelid is by no means to be taken as a'
mark of dulness or inefficient intellect. One of our poets,
1 think Churchill, no incompetent judge of human nature,
has a line concerning Genius lowering on the penthouse
of his eye.' Seurat, on any other than a common-place
qui sties'', elevates his bead to an ordinary position,
answers immediately, and with precision, and dis-
courses rationally and sensibly ; more sensibly than
some in the room, who put childish questions about
him to the attendants, and express silly opinions as
to his physical and mental structure and abilities, and call
him ' a shocking creature.' fhere is nothing shocking
either in his mind or his face. His countenance has an air
of melancholy, but lie expresses no feeling of the kind.
Seurat's voice is pleasing, deep-toned, and gentle. Except
,ter the privations to which his conformation constrains him,
he is not an object of pity, and perhaps very little on that
'account. We meet many perfectly-formed beings in daily
society, whose abject indulgences or abject circumstances
in life render them far more pitiable, and in a moral point
of view, some of .them are far more shocking. There is
nothing in Seurat to disgust, as far as I could judge from
what I saw or heard of him.
Thou who despisest so debased a fate
As in the pride of wisdom thou may'st cell
The much submissive Seurat's low estate.
Look round the world, and see where over all
Injurious passions hold mankind in thrall !
Behold the fraudful arts, the coven strife,
rie jarring interests that engross mankind ;
The low pursuits, the selfish aims of life ;
Studies that weary and contract the mind,
Thu bring no joy, and leave no peace behind ;
And Death approaching to dissolve the spell !
Sauthey's Talc of' Parognay.
Rath is not contemplated by Seurat as near to him, and
it is even probable that his last event' is far off. he
vital organs have wonderfully conformed themselves to his
malformatim, and where they are seated, perform their
office uninterruptedly. The quantity of solid nutriment
for the support of his feeble frame never exceeds four ounces
a day. The pulsations of his heart are regular, anti it has
never palpitated ; at the wrist they are slow and equally
regular. He has never been ill, nor taken medicine, ex-
cept once, and then only a small quantity of manna. His
skin is not more dry than the skin of many other living
persons who abstain, as he does, from strong vinous or fer-
mented liquors, and drink sparingly ; it is not branny, but
perfectly smooth ; nor is it of a colour unnatural to a being
who cannot sustain much exercise, who exists in health
with very little, and therefore does not require more. The
complexion of his body is that of a light Creole, or perhaps
more similar to that of fine old ivory ; it must be retnem-
bered, that his natural complexion is swarthy. What has
been asserted elsewhere is perfectly true, that when dressed
in padded clothes, he would not in any position be more
remarkable than any other person, except that, among
Englishmen, he would be taken for a foreigner. On the
day before his public exhibition, he walked from the
Gothic-hall in the Haymarket, to the Chinese Saloon in
'Pall-mall, arm-in-arm with the gentleman who brought
him from France, and was wholly unrecognised and un-
noticed.

•
GREEK.I.
', have received a letter, of old date, from the Moron,
written indeed shortly before the taking of Navarino, from
an Englishman, who had just travelled on foot through
the Peninsula. The intelligence, of course, is old, but the
fallowing, which are his own words, convey a very favour-
able idea of the character of the peasantry. " During the
whole of this journey, which occupied nine days, though I
e &yeller! on foot in the Frank dress. generally unarmed,
without a servant or an escort, and followed by a quantity
of luggage, which Would have cost me my life en any by-
road of the kingdom of Naples, I did not meet with an in-
civility. On the contrary, 1 always found the people most
unions to oblige, and hospitable to the extent of their
sniserable means, so that travelling in France and Italy be
pore comfortable, it cannot boast of being a whit more se-
,eure. It must.be confessed that in some places we found
the villages deserted by their inhabitants, in consequence
sod theexactions of the soldiery ; and in the others, we found
she peasantry but just returned, after the locust mom had
passed by. But it was most gratifying to observe the pit-
trtotic spirit of these poor people. One man, whose house
had been forced open and almost ruined in his absence,
consoled himself by observing, that it was better to be
plundered by his own countrymen than by the inAdels.
Another shrugged his shoulders, as he muttered—" after
all, we are no longer slaves;" and a third was anxious to
explain to the Frank that the pay of the poor soldier was
ocanty and irregular, and that there were no means pro-
vided for his support. This enthusiasm of newly acquired
liberty may continue for some time longer. It has already
outlasted all sober calculation, maintained perhaps by the
extreme poverty of the people. As long as it lasts, it
forms, when combined with the nature of the country, an
Insurmountable barrier against foreign aggression ; bet it
must inevitably be in time exhausted by these continued
demands upon it, and unless the government be able to
find some remedy for the evil in the shape of communal
adroinialeations, or a national guard, the consequences may
be of the mat dangerous importance."
THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO.

. Address delivered by Mr. Poinsett. Envoy Extraordinary and Mi.
Mawr Plenipotentiary of the United Stares of America, to his
Eat:tract the President of the Mexican Republic, at the presen-
tation of his credentials :
MOST EXCELLENT SIR—In presenting to your Excel-
lency the credentials which have just been read, I am
gratified that they are submitted to one who is alike distin-
guislied for his heroic efforts in the cause of his country's
. independence, and fur his warm devotion to civil liberty. •
The United States of America recognise the right in
every nation to adopt that form of government which it
may judge best adopted to its condition, and most condn-
• cite to the happiness of the people. It will not, however,
be denied that they regarded, with anxious solicitude the
political interests of this country, and the ultimate deci-
sion of the Mexican people. They have seen with de-
hot the only nation co-terminous with it erect itself into
a Republic ; and they have been flattered at the adoption
of a federal constitution, similar to that under which they
flourish. The United States ardently hope that it will
promote, in an equal degree, the prosperity and happiness
of the Mexican people.
independence was on which the right of this country to
was asserted and vindicated, are identically
the same with those on which the independence of the
United States was declared and achieved : they also rest on
the same eternal basis—the sovereignty of the people, and
the inalienable rights of man. To a cause supported by
.so solid a foundation, the people of the United States
•could not be indifferent. From the first moment that the
independence of these States was proclaimed, the sym-
pathy of the American people was always unanimously
and constantly expressed in their favour; their various
fortunes and vicissitudes excited in them most intense in-
Serest, and the successful termination of their struggle
was received with fraternal exultation. The Government
of the United States of America ever accords in sentiment
with its people, and their political conduct has been di-
rected by a regard for the relative obligations of all parties.
At the commencement of the conflict between Spain and
her colonies, they considered it as a civil war, in which
both possessed equal right. In all their negotiations they
endeavoured to predispose the European nations in favour
of America; and more than once, did they propose to
Spain the means of concludiug peace with her fotmer co-
lonies. As soon as it was ascertained that Spain could no
longer retain her dominion over these countries, where
new governments hail been established, and the very year
that Mexico hail declared her independence, the United
States recognised it by a solemn act, which was approved
in Congress with unprecedented unanimity. They then
declared, that they could not view with indifference any
attempt on the part of the potentates of Europe to subvert
it. In this act of recognition they preceded the whole
civilized world, and presented an example that has since
been followed by the freest Government of Europe, and
which has thereby shown itself to be the most mag-
nanimous.
Ry this view of the policy observed by the United States
of North America, ih reference to these countries, I neither
• pretend to boast of srevices, nor do I solicit any favour in
return. The United States ask not for their citizens greater
privileges of this government than they are disposed to
grant to the citizens of Mexico. They only dealt e that the
friendly relations between the two countries should le as
extensive and intimate as the prosperity of each may de-
mand; and that the first foundation of their future rela-
tions may be laid on r tinciples, not only friendly and li-
beral in themselves, an d analogous to the spirit of our in-
stitutions, but also consAtent with the policy and interests
•af both governments. 1
The Pretident of the l'lnited States has conferred on me
.fall powers to conclude ,treaties of limits and commerce
'with this Government; at lel I cannot but felicitate myself
on my appointtnent to origAtate political relations between
these two sister Republics, which, from their position, po-
hey, and mutual interests, s.hould be indissolubly united. 1
The Reply of the PeAdent to Mr. Poinsett.
NIOST EXCELLENT SIR,— Two nations, fortunately co-
rterminous, are still more intit irately connected by relations
of the liberty: they enjoy, by the constitutions which go-
seen them, ani by the community of interests, which in
the balance of the universe have identified the destinies
of North America with those of Mexico.
This great people, in throwing off their humiliating
pupilage, directed their attention to the examples of the
North, and the recollections cf the hither of American
liberty, are grateful in proportion to the number of the
heroes who have here erceted, with their blood, the majes-
tic seat of justice, peace; and philanthropy.
I, Sir, in conformity' with the expressions of United
States of Mexico, eong !mutate myself, with all lovers of
American liberty, that tie relations of those nations which
have stood forth and susitained the rights of the new world,
are about to he firmly c itabliched.
I derive infinite pleat sire in recognising your Excellency
as the R 'presentative of s frknilly and sister Hi public, to
lotn, also, I offer tbs. sentiments of my high cousidera-

" Until ten years of age, Seurat was as healthy as other
children, except that his chest was depressed, and he was
much weaker ; until that year, he used to run about and
play, and tumble down from feebleness. From that age
his feebleness increased, and he grew rapidly until he was
fourteen, when he attained his present stature, with fur-
ther increase of weakness : he is not weaker now than he
was then. His recreation is reading, and lie is passionately
fond of listening to music. He cannot stoop, but lie can
lift a weight of twelve pounds from a chair ; of course, he
displays no feats of any kind, and unless great care is taken,
he may be injured by cold, and the fatigue of the exhibi-
tion. Of this, however, himself and his father, who is
with him, and who is a shrewd, sensible man, seem aware.
' He remains shout ten minutes standing and walking before
the company, and then withdraws between the curtains to
swat himself, from observation, in a blanketed arm-chair,
till another company arrives. His limbs are well propor-
tiontd • he is not at all knock-kneed, nor are his legs any
way deformed.:
I" Seurat is ' shocking' to those who have never reflected
on mortality, and think him nearer to the grave than them-
selves. Perhaps he is only so in appearance. The orderly
operation of tile vital principle within him for the last thir-
teen or fourteen years, may continue to the ordinary dura-
tion of human life. Every one of his spectators is encom-
passed in a ghostly frame, And exempbfles, as much as
Seurat, the scriptural reinark that in the midst of life
we are in death it is not further from us for not thinking
on it, nor is it nearer to us because it is under our eyes.
" Senrat's existence is peculiar to himself ; he is unlike
any being ever heard of, and no other like him may ever
live. But if he is alone in the world, and to himself use-
l.'ss, he may not be without his use to others. His condi-
tion, and the privations whereby he holds his tenure of
existence, are eloquent to a mind reflecting on the few real
wants of mankind, and the advant.iges derivable from ab-
stinent and temperate habits. Had be been born a little

Tnt TIARVEST.—The accounts from all parts of the
country represent the present harvest as likely to be a most
favourable one, both es to quantity and quality. In many
places in the South and iVest the corn is all housed ; and
in most tiering is be•pm. The late rain appears to have
been general, and todiave been productive of the most be-
adds] effects. both Mi the crops and on the pastures. Lean
caule at the fairs last •week met a reduction in price. SVool
appears staitusnt.—Sull Packet.

A short time since the following accident happened to a
Istria and wtr..^•on n oar Clayton Holt, by which the owner
or the property, wht se name, we understand, is Peckham,
a little farmer, of St. John's Common, would have been
almost ruined, bad •tot some of the inhabitants of Brighton
raised a auhiscriptia t for his relief, the horse alone being
leech near 40/. W e understand that Peckham had loaded
hit waggon with tlb its on the north side of the top of Clay-
its s Hill, where it is remarkably steep. At that time there
Its s lint one horse in the shafts, and as the waggoner went
to draw the load a 'little away from the place, the horse In-
Cll Te miff and dr rw the waggon over the brow of the hill,
wi :ere its weight p..opelled it downwards at a dreadful rate.
TI se efforts of the poor animal were wholly uselesa, and
the • shafts breakini, he was killed in a few minutes. The
Ira agon then contained its career with accelerated force to
thr bntom of the bill into the midst of a copse, making a
let e through the trees for a great distance, and alcaring
ry obstacle in its way, till it was finally dashed to pieces.
--airightun Gazette.

in society, his mental improvement might hare ad. the fifteen pc:denten h 1 bun called over, which was that of a
.silted with his corporeal incapacity, and instead of being Mr. Macmorris, wbich was objected to by Mr. Patterson, as being
&lomat wholly unknown in the majority of the Subscribers.
shown as a phenomenon, he might hove flourished as a
wuMr. deinJaEnrdedreEr proposed Mr. Pemberton instead, ands Una
sage. No man has been great who his not subdued his
passions ; real greatness has insisted on this as essential to I The glasses were being prepared when Mr. Frampton produced
happiness, and artificial greatness shrunk from it. When a note from Sir Thomas Lethbridge, expressing his readiness to act
Pahl ' reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judg-
if elected a Director.
ment to come, Felix trembled.' Seurat's appearance seems The CHAIRMAN' said there could not possibly be any person ,
an admonition more competent than Sir Thomas LethbrAge, but in fact he was
from the pre to think on these things.' not eligible, inasmuch as his subscripuon was not paid up, and the
—lione's Every-Day Book. reason of that it might lie necessary to explain. When the Bill
came before Parliament some allusion had been made as to the int-
ENGLISH AND BRISTOL CHANNELS SHIP propriety of members taking part hi the discussion of a question
CAIVA whetein they were personally interested, and from that dream-
stance Sir Thomas Lethbridge, with a very honourable feeling, no
Yesterday, pursuant to public advertisement, a meeting of the doubt, was induced to strike his name off the sabseriptim) list;
subscribers to this stupendous undertaking was holden at the Lon. at all events until the Canal Bill had gone through the Reuse of
don Tavern, Bishopagate-street, for the purpose of electing. Corn. COMMIND.
mince of Directors, and to transact other business connected with Mr. ItIACAIQR.I9 then came forward, and said, that as he had
the measure. embarked 8,7001. in the concern, he hrd certainly a right to be
On the motion of SAMUEL &CINQUE'', Esq.; seconded by anxious about it. But so confident was he in the ability of Sir
Mr. WATTS.... c Thomas Lethbridge to promote the measure that he would, if now
DAVID PoLLoca, Esq., was called to the Chair. elected, most joyfully resign in SirThomates favour, whenever that
gentleman should think proper to qualify for the office of Director.
The CILAIRM•N, in opening the business of the meeting, said
he greatly regretted that so important a duty had not devolved upon This pledge was accepted by Mr. Jeffrey, and Mr. Macmorris
*mg more competant person. 8e also regretted that peculiar cit.' was duly elected.
mnanstances would not suffer the Committee to postpone this meet. Some conversation then took place as to the mode of remunerating
ing until more of the subscribers were in town, as in every thing the Directors for their trouble.
that related to a concern of so great magnitude as this, one that in. Mr. Buooxi suggested the propriety of alloting a specific sum
for each meeting, in place of allowing each Director a filed sum,
volved so immense a capital,. sad that possessed so strong a hold on
public attention; it was most desirable that every measure should, whether he attended or not.
If possible, obtain the suction of every shareholder before it was Mr. PATTERSON thought, at this stage of the business, :hat
decided on ; however, the Act of Parliament made it im. instead of paying Directors for attending, a penalty should be levied
perative that a Board of Directors should be named within a for not attending.
limited time after the passing of the Bill, and as the The CHAIRMAN said, that, so far as he was concerned, he should
consider it merely a gratuitous service; and that until the whole of
mein prescribed was nurly elapsed, the Committee were
the money was subscribed, he would never consent to a call being
made. (!tear, hear.)
; oblied to convene a general tneeting of the subscribers, even
under the disadvantageous circumstances to which he had alluded.
It was not necessary. he imagined, to go into any detailed state. Several Resolutions were then passed, and the Meeting was dis-
"tient either of the plan or principle of the undertaking, because solved.
these had already been solicit:fitly explained by the prospectus
and other documents which the-Committee from time to time had
thought expedient to lay beforethe.public, and which, so tar as lie
could learn, had given abundant satisfaction to all who had impar-
tially perused them. It was eleMin, that a determined, a pose.
vering, and indeed a most Uvular opposition, bad been set up by
some individual, against dm umure, but it did not succeed in
reuniting the passing allot- "rod that^ gr,at point haring
been accomplished, it reefed with the subscribers theme lees to
carry into full effect the object contemplated. The first thing re-
quired by the Act of Parliament was that a capital of 1,750,06%
should be subscribed, and then, and not until then, the directors
would have authority to proceed with what be might term the ope-
rative part of their porters; and that clause having been corn-
, plied with, it now became the privilege of the subscribers to nomi-
nate and appoint their Board of Directors. With respect to the
plan itself, lie was aware that objections had been set up by some
gentlemen on the score of its b log likely to injure their estates,
'by the canal passing through them. No doubt it was but right
that the feelings of those gentlemen should be consulted on a mat-
ter which so immediately concerned individual interest, and the
promoters of the measure being aware of that fact, took ever means
that lay in their power to give the fullest and most correct informa-
tion on the subject to the public that could possibly be afforded
under such circumstances. The niost eminent engineers were em-
ployed, elaborate surveys were made, and plans were deposited with
the clerks of the peace of the different counties through which the
Canal was proposed to be cut, arid those plans were open to the in.
spection of any gentleman who thought proper to make the
application ; and all this was done with the view of aster.
taining whether any alteration or Improvement might be made,
on the suggestion of the land.owners, whose opinioes they
were at all times most anxious to consult. Two gentlemen,
in particular, had started ditjeetions to the line of Canal ;
one was Mr. Collins, a large larded proprietor, and the other
31r. Portman, also a proprietor of an extensive tract of ground
through which it was proposed tdcut the canal ; however, after the
affair was investigated, the foriner gentleman expressed his satis-
faction, and withdrew all active opposition ; Mr. Portenan ap-
proved of the plan generally, though he disapproved of It in de-
, tall, as he represented that it would seriously elect his individual
Interests. On this representation the Committee consulted with
their Engineers, and it being not impracticable to avoid those
grounds, a clause was introduced into the 13111, in favour of Mr.
Collins and Alt. Portman ; but in order more completely to provide
against similar contingencies In the execution of the work, a sup-
'plementary Bill was resolved on, by which all such objections
would be done away. The object of the Committee, in short, was
to conciliate all parties, to confhtn such as entertained doubts on
the subject, and above all to have the canal cut In a line wholly
unobjectionable. flaring said thus much, he should now merely
read a list of names that had been put sate his hands, as eligible
for the important office of Directors.

The CHAIRMAN then proceeded to read over the names of fifteen
Gentlemen, and
Mr. 3. Boassitorre rose to put them in nomination, when
31r. BROOKE said it was very desirable to ascertain if those
Gentlemen had consented to accept the office.
The CHAIRMAN replied, he had reason to know that they were
by nommen@ disinclined to act. The two first on the list were well
qualified for Directors, having considerable property on the line,
and a great influence In the country generally—these were Sir
Alexander Baring, Bart. 31.P.f0r Taunton, and Johnt Bent, Esq.
M.P. for Totness.

Mr. P. JrieREYll wished to know if Mr. Pemberton had been
asked to accept the office. No Gentleman was more competent
for a director of such a concern, as, Independently of his general
information, he possessed a greater heal knowledge of the country
perhaps than any other person, and was besides a great coal•on ner,
both at Newcastle and in Wales.

The CHAIRMAN said, he believed Mr. Pemberton was not in.
dined to take an active part in the concern, as he was going to re.
side chiefly in Wales.
Another Gentleman observed, that if Mr. Rothschild would take
a place at the Board he was sure the concern would be much bene-
ti ed.
The CHAIRMAN deemed that impracticable, owing to Mr.
Rothschild's residing almost continually in France, and honorary
31enibeni could be of very little service.
Mr. BOSANQUET conceived that they could not properly elect
any gentleman, without some specific assurance from the person
nominating that such gentleman was disposed to act ; in fact it was
a kind of impertinent interference with his time to elect him to an
office that would perhaps be very laborious, without previously ob-
taining his consent.
On the name of the Rev. Dr. Palmer being put,
' 31r. JET,* atTs objected to the Rev. Gentleman being elected
and the ground of such objection, be said, was not any personal
disesteem he entertained for Dr. Palmer. but was founded on the
'law of the land : he did not think it right that clergymen should
I interfere in secular matters, and he was strengthened in that opinion
by daily experience. To convince the Meeting that he did not ad-
trance this objection without sufficient and indisputable authority,
he begged leave to read the following extract froin Buret Ecck.
slastical Law, vol. 3, p. 194-S.
" Whereas. it is unbecoming for clergymen employed in heaven-
, lw offices to minister in secular affairs ; we think it sordid and base
that certain clerks, greedily pursuing earthly gains and temporal
jurisdiction, do receive secular jurisdiction from laymen, so as to
be named justices and to become ministers of justice, which they
cannot administer without injury to the canonical dispensations and
to the clerical order ; we, desiring to extirpate this horrid vice, do
strictly enjoin all rectors of churches, and perpetual vicars, and all
others whatsoever constituted in the order of priesthood, that they
receive no secular jurisdiction from a secular person, or presume to
exercise the same ; and if they do, they shall relinquish the same
within the space of two months, and never resume it ; and whoso-
ever shall attempt any thing contrary to the premises, shall be irro
facto suspender) from his office and benefice ; and if lie shall in-
trude into his office or benefice during such suspension, he shall
not escape canonical vengeance, which shall not be relaxed until he
shall have made satisfaction at the discretion of his diocesan, st:d
taken an oath that he will not do the like again, saving the privi-
legesof our Lord the Kirg in this behalf."
. (A burst of laughter followed the reading of this extract.)
Mr. iesear vs said gentlemen might smile, but still they d
not alter the law of the land.
Mr. BOSANQUET declared, that he never heard any thing so
preposterous in his life. In many parts of the country it was abso-1
lutely necessary that clergymen should be in the Commission of
the Peace. The interest, the happiness, the social, comfort, the
well-being of society demanded that they should on some occasions
be empowered to wield the rod of justice ; and if such an enact-
ment as that now read was suffered to remain on the statute books
it must be confessed indeed; that it needed revision most sadly.
Mr. JEFFREYS contended, that such was the law however, and
so long as that law was unrepealed, every such appointment of a
person in holy orders to any secular office was illegal.
31r. PITT observed, that this was not a court to try such a (pee.
tion. The Ecclesiastical Court was the only competent tri-
bunal.
The CHAIRMAN regretted much to 1 ear such an objection
raised. if the law alluded to was still in force, he was much stir-
prised; but that it was eternally violated every one was well
aware. It was framed at a period when things, no doubt, were
differently managed; and when the meeting remembered that his
late :Majesty, in defiance of this antiquated enactment of one of his
ancestors, had thought proper to invest Dr. Painter with the Com-
mission of the Peace, he (the Chairman.) did not think the sub-
scribers to the Ship Canal would be very culpable in following so
illustrious a precedent, by electing him as a director,
Mr. JEFFREY said, he could cite several authorities in sup-
port of his assertion—the case of the Rev. Dr. Jollitle for one.
II ere .everal gentlemen spoke to order; and amidst loud cries of
" question," the remainder of Mr. Jeffrey's observations were lost.
The CHAIRMAN, on announcing the name of the Rev. Mr.
Nappe, observed, that the same objection might be started, and if
attended to, the Propritters would, as in the case of the Rev. Dr.
Palmer, be deprived of the moat extensive and useful information.
The Rev. Mr. NAPPE said, that in accepting the office, he
trusted he st 43 3431.44!331 by better motives than those which the ex-
tract from the Ecclesiastical Law of Burn adverted to in terms of
just reprobation. From the long residence of his father in that
part ache country through which the Canal was proposed to pass.
he certainly might be entitled to further the object ; anti although
religious matters claimed the paramount attention of a clergyman,
yet he did not think that the clerical order would be dishonoured
y promoting the arts, sciences, manufactures, and commerce of
the country, as far as compatible with clerical duty. But, in the
present instance, there was a still stronger claim impressed on
his mind—that of humanity. From what he knew of the coast, he
was convinced that this Canal would be the means of saving human
life to a great extent, and An this principle, ifpn i.o other, it should
always have his Whiniest support. (Hear, hair.)
'Lbs nomination then went on unintertuptcdly until the last of