The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1818-12-30 00:00:00

.st) EDIVellt VHE PRESS.

Ntit—This distresses' 'eountry has arriiea at a 'Crisis that
will a y soon decide what are to be its prospect!: in regard
to the erinivrtion of the Constitution. 'The progress of a
corruet system, mat keel be most flagitaitis eirenitystancee,
bas so long armlets!' on the feeliogs of the proule, that
wherever an Adegr•ie per of freedom -remained in their
possesaion, they have generally used it, to order It. return In
Parliament men of eitlightened minds, Iwnuurahle intro-
linos, and bold spit it. From these their chanildinis tiny
'italiteally look for gigantic dings to cheek the growth 01.
despotic 111.111111 ref in the Government, and to lop off the
rotten Menilicrs of the Representative Body. But, Sir,
milder existiag circumstances, it is to be feared their enelea-
semars will produce little effect. One chief mean. of over-
throwing Ow private, but too deeply-felt power of NI inistr s•
v_stow.ei.gel., .111.11 I.ll'
to control Parliament, is widely • a I l I
limiting its duration to a shorter period than at present
exists. Unfortunately, however, there are amongst the nu-
merous friends to this restriction, two opinions un its proper
extent. Some are in favour of Triennial. others of Annual
l'arliaments, and the deep-rooted difference of ideas on
this sithject and the elective right, renders sit entire
agreement in principle most unlikely to occur without
some approximating experiment. What, then, have we
'to look forward to under the present state of patriotic
A weak diennion that shall destroy the
fruits of past, utd deprive ns of the benefit of future
exertions, tos. cils tr. phing river the opposers of nor
rights. What shah se .lo ? Shall we promote the growing
abolition of our liberties, by wristlet in argument amongst
ourselves the precious moments that, properly employed,
may remove the grievance* of the peop:e, create confidence
in ilia Chown, and wipe away the foul stain un the character
of a Legislature, whose enactments can be purchased, and
whose votes have so often compromised the dignity and in-
terest of the country? Or ails!! we, by a happy titian, re-
quire, like an undaunted firm phalanx, to force llw hostile
line. and scatter disunity amongst the mercenaries? Sir,
would say to the Parliamentary Reformer. generally—
" UNITE I Let the Annuofisis rem I Isr v. noes,. goo."' to
the Triennia/4dt at the present juncture, and when victory
shall have decided for you, and time has afforded all the he-
ro fits of experience, then, if you thiuk proper, place your-
selves again iu argumentative array against each other. if
pin neglect this advice, what do you but suspend the powers
you could an effectesally employ in' the approaching Session
of Parliament, whilst your enemies fortify themselves
in double of corruption, till the time shall come, when,
encouraged by a dive-I.nm' which your differences shall have
occasioimil,they will sally forth to make greater encroachments
uu your free Mon, under the 'epeeist plea tif the necessity of
strengthning She hands of Goeernateal—l hat M misterial
antidote far tremble ur deificit:ty, which a Castlereagh has
imported from the Despots of the Continent ? Shell this
molistroua principle be allowed to become the creator of a
political DOUAI!, whose single wilt and force are to super.
seek the use of that host of wisdom, the British Constitu-
tion ?—Where we to look for our DAVID, IV lay this
giant low? la your singleness of design •nil execution.
117xter.--'ve as one in sentiment for the present, and you
must be FRIF."
Such. Sir, are the few words a warm and riiiintereated
friend of his country debars s fresh from his hart—they are
approved by his reason, and whether benefirial or not, will
remain in his opinion to indicate the only means of afford-
ing a chance of success to the cause of Reform.

1 .am yours,

MARCUS.

DecentLer 20, 1818.

FATAL ACCIDENTS.

Inquests were held yesterday, at St. Thomas's Hospital, on
the bodies of Rosetta French, aged eight years; Henry
Grimes, aged six years; and Hannah Campbell, aged six
years, who were burnt to death by their clothes catching fire.
An ii finest was also held, at the same place, on the body
of James Gibson, aged IS months, who lost his life by drink.-
ine boiling-watcr out of a fop, in the absence of bis mother.
Verdicts—Accidental death.

The following Inquests were last week taken be-
fore Wst. TRIGGE, Esq. one of the Coroners fur
Clotter%terstnre:—

On Monday, at Frampton-noon-Severn, on clew of the
body of Miss Jane Browning, who W 34 returning from school
for the vacation with her sister, in n cart laden with sacks
of Hour, &e. when, owing to the horses soddenly drawing
the carriage nil' the road near Froombridge Mills, it was
overset in a deep ditch, when both the young ladies were
thrown in, with the flour and other articles upon them.—
It was with difficulty that the life of uue was preserved, as
no person was near enough to asaist thecarier, who was sup-
porting the head of one of the children (she hieing confined
by the presaiire of the flour), hut her sister was almost in-
stantly suffocated.—And, on Wednesday, at Stroud, on the
body of George Wood, aged two years, who drank some boil-
ing water front the spout of a tea-kettle, in the absence of
his mother, and died in great agony shortly afterwards. Bat
a few minutes previous' he was taken out of a tub of rain-
water, into which he bad fallen, but was discovered by a
neighbour in time to prevent his being drowned. Verdict iu
each case—Accidcatal Death.