The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-05-29 00:00:00

EAST INDIA ACCOUNTS.

Mr. Mason, from the India Ilouse, presented various annual
aecounts.

SCOTCH POOR RELIEF BILL.

The Earl of SHAFTESBURY prrwrited • petition from the
Presbytery of Am praying that the Scotch Poor Relief Bill may
rot pass into a law.--Lasd on the table.

TEST AND CORPORATION ACTS.

Lard W101,11,A NI) stated. that he held in his hand a petition
tallith referred to a subject of great importance. vie. to Acts
hi the trim of Charles commonly called ths 'rest Ind 1744.1.
ration Arts, which tended rather to !tontine the Sacrament of the
Lord's Supper than to protect it from the attacksof infidelity. Ile
thought it highly. necessary that their Lordships should consider
the effects and pen:elides of these Acts ; and if the state of the.
Session did not a' noel preclude hint he should have felt it his duty
to have 'nought I. a motion relative to them ; but as it was
he should not foil id any measure on the petition. Ile should have
Fawned a petition front the Catholics in Ireland on this subject :
but as a ;Noble Frintd of his would present a petition from that
body of n more general nature, although not in the same language,
Li Monday pest, he believed he should at present forbear from
presenting that document. His Lordship then moved that the
Lotion be read. It was firm the Protestant Dissenter) of various
00,00100.160,10 in the eity of Chichester. praying a revision of the
Test and Corp:ire:die Acts. The petition was ordered to be laid tin
the table.

NTAITOUNPLAND MARRIAGE BILL
•11)n the motion of Earl TIATIICINT, the Newfoundland Mae-

five Rill wax read a third and tatesid.
SCOTCH titanTAHLi , ESTATE BILL
The Earl of A RE:RI/14EN bmught up the Report of the Scotch
Heritable Estate Rill, which en ordered to be read a third time oo
Tuesday.
IRISH TRANSFER OF STOCK RILL.
_ _ _

' Their fettitiihips went into a I'm ittee on the Irish Transfer of
Stock Hill, and the Report reecired.,Adjourned to Monday.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, FRIDAY, MAT 28.

There having bean a Royal Commission, the Srcriata toot the
r!hair at Three (Mock, and nniereacti to hear the Royal Assent
given to Bills, for which see Lords Report.
Str W. GUISE presented a petition from the Parish of St.
James, in the county of Moues-stet, ponying fm a repeal of the
Ai!""ed Tnaest.--Laid as the table.

Sir A. L'iliCHESTift ;men Uri! a petition from the Chamber
of Coil-nonce of Belfast, against the duties on Tobacco.—Laid on
the table. _

Mr. THOMAS WILSON prestated a petition from certain
losersece Heaters, *raying to hr baud by Counsel against the
14an a • Insurance nat.- Laid on the table. . .. .. .

Aldermen HINGATE ptesinted a petition from an individual
named Brown, apinat the South London Docks.--Laid on the
table.

Mr. MAHER LY gave notice, that early in the next Session he
should bring under the notice of the House the whole of the
Paving Acts.
THE LATE MR. SMITH.

Sir WM. GUISE presented a petition from Stroud, praying
for an inquiry into the recent transactions at Demerara, connected
with the late Mr. Smith.
Similar petitions were presented byT Mr..farris, from Hampshire ;
by Mr. C. Smith, from St. Attain s ; by Mr. Butterworth, from
Saffron ll'ablen, another from Chatham, and another from Bed-
el1:411; by Mr. Scormlty, from Ilarerfordwext ; by Mr. W. Smith,
hum Me city of Norwich ;by Lord Uxbridge, fromthe Calvinis.
tie Ifiesentert in the Isle of Angina; by Alr. S. Cooper, from
Sligo; by Mr. Newman, from Exeter; by Lord O. Cavendish,
from Ilehester, in the county of Somerset; by Mr. Dugthrde, from
Atherstone, in Warwick; by Mr. Leigh Keck from the borough
of Arundel; by lord J. Russell, from Biel;en ; by Lord Wm.
Russell, from Dridgnorth; by Lord W. Ilentinck, front Grimsby;
by Mr. Griffiths, from Tettby ; by Sir T. Lethbridge, front
Franc.; by Colonel Davies, ("rum Worcester; by Lord Belgrave,
from Chester and Northwich ; and by Mr. Rumbold, from
Great Yarmouth.

The petitions were laid on the table.
BEER BILL.

Mr. MONCK presented a petition from a pariah in Berkshire,
inlArour of the Beer Bill—Laid on the table.
HIDES AND SKINS.

....... ......
Mr. LINDSAY presented 'petition 11'0111 the currier, of Perth,
aginnst the Hides and Skin"' llRL—Laid on the table.
NEGRO SLAVERY.

Mr. BUXTON prerented • petition froth Chippen Fatten,
priying for the abolition of negro d•rery.—laid on the table.

MARINE INSURANCE BILL.

Mr. F. 131/XTON moved the order of the day for the second
reading of the Marine Insurance

blr.riiitENrEi.L moved that Counsel be called in and heard et
at the Karol the house against the Bill.

- - -
The SPEA KEN Slid that the re,;ular course was to read the
Bill tint, and then to hear counsel against it.
Mr. UR EN 1,E1.1, bowed to the authority of the Chair, but an.
der.tuud the practice of the House was to decide the question of the
gerund reading after the arguments of f',uurisel had been heard.
The SPEAKER said that Counsel could not be called in until
it h.. 1 been decided that the Bill should he read awecond time ; and
it n were never read, then the Counsel of course would not be
heard.

illr. :it EN I, LI, understood that Counsel was to have been
INDIA in behfre the second nailing.
The Mit was then read a morn time. _

The SPE.IKIai duin put she queittion, that Counsel be called
in and hued at the Isar of the House against the BilL
Ciirrivil in the affirmative.

following lie:,tletilen severally appeared at the bar, and an.
ay red to thin. moot.: --3 I r. Sergeant Ikmatiquet. Mr. Sergeant
3lr. Harrison, 3lr. 3larryatt, Mr. Adam, Mr. Sergeant
11 r. Altierwrm. - .

.‘lt. sergeant ronanquet was first called in. and addressed the
II ouve ; but we could nut distinctly hear fur what clients he
As his arguments proceeded, we thisight he was in favour
! one of the old corporations, claiming compensation in case oral.
Living one new Marine Insurance Company, which must soccour..
rile abate the value of their chartered privileges.
Mr. Harrison was next called in, and said that he appeared on
behalf of the London Assurance Company, and contended that
there was no iitioconduct on the part of that company, or of the un-'
dierwriiers at Lloyd's, which could justify the proposed invasion of
their rights. lie contended that the permission to form throe Joint
Stock Companies would create a monopoly in place of leading to a
fair competition. II the !!urine Insurance Company were per-
mitted, his clients were entitled to compensation.
Mr. Marryatt was nest heard for the underwriters of Lloyd's, and
Mr. Sergeant 'faddy for the insurance-broken at Lloyd's, who de..
sired the protection of this country. Counsel were then directed to
withdraw.

Air. F. III'XTON said that he was ready to concur with that
part of the doctrine laid down by the latarnedeounsel, that no joint
stock companies should have exclusive protection. In fact these
Gent:mien asked for privileges contrary to the law of the laud, and
privdeger of advantage only to their clients. No one said that
joint stuck companies should have peculiar privileges; but the At-
torney and Solichor Generals mid they should not. to did a Hight
Hon. Gentleman declare in this House, and a Noble Lord in ano-
thee. These Learned Gentlemen said that a clause precluding ge-
neral responsibility was inserted in this Bill. If the fact were so,
he thought it should be disallowed. Adam Smith, who was a man
disliking all joint stock companies, always excepted insurance~ by
pertnerhtps or companies. The Americo+, invariably resorted to
them. In Holland., In Ilanihurgh, in Copenhagen, and in France
also, similar companis.wire established. Now why all that?
Simply heroine they offered greater advantages than other com-
pa,tos. In fact, it was only the other day that the agent of the
nee French company arrives I in this country with an otter to effect
the French insurances at a chattier rate than they could he etti.cted
in thin country. He was quite sure, that persons wishing to insure
were anxious to resort to Joint Stock Companies. One of
itirl.7oiimel insisted that there was a distinction between marine
and ether insurances. He admitted it; but the risk was
greiter in marine insurances. Though the law said that marine
insurnnees did not exist, yet they were clandestinely practised. It
was in his mind quite clear, that merchants would derive &d-
-espiser from a reearival of these restrictions. Fur instance, if a
rnercliam in the country was desirous of insuring his %enrare, he
was compelled in the tiro instance to write to his agent in town ;
the agent hail to employ a broker, and thus considerable expense
was unnecessarily entailed on the merchant. (In a former occasion
her hail stated, that the expense of employing the broker fell on
the merchant ; he had since learnt, and he was anxious to correct
lie misstatement., that that expense was sustained by the under
wnter.: still he apprehended, that in the grog sum paid, it would
be hound ultimately to he defrayed by the nierchant. Well, then,
the broker had the policy in his hands, and the principle at Lloyd's
was to insure chiefly • here there was no risk ; but they were slow,
jerked to efleet a palicy where danger was likely to ensue.
Mr. 7'. WILSON—No. No!

Mr. 111 !a, l'(/hi—Thc lion. Member for London exclaimed No,
but he r.ould inure hint that he t3lr. Buxton) had consulted dote
ferent miveltants, and they unanimously gave him to understand,
that the people at Lloyd', acre slow nuked in effecting insecure
poliewv. ant: more, some of the members of Lloyd's had admitted
that when• the risk was great they were unwilling to itsirc.
tHear.) Well, then, at length the broker, having resorted to
Lloyd's, with difficulty effects the insurance. The vessel sails—
tails to a distant land ; fur there or four years thews is no intelli-
gentfry•ither, and at length llsppeanthatshehasbeenlost. Well,
then, the country merchant again writes so hisagent in London. to
tranvia: to him, or ledge with his balker*, the lawsuit of that

Was limos ma imp
that monopoly for the period prescribed, their present lomisliint
was, that they had been pmbitted to hold it few three times the
period stipulated; instead of holding it for El, they had retained it
for Ifil years. (Hear, hear.) That was the nature and extent of
their charter, however well they might have deserved it. With
respect to the Rill then before the House, he could undertake to
say that there was not a syllable to be found in it which gave any
advantage either to an individual or a body. The underwriters at
Lloyd's still held their privileges ; and if, as it had been contended.
the active competition of individual insurers was quite sufficient for
the necessities of the country, all he asked by this Bill was, that a
trial should be given to a measure, the security of which was cer-
tainly preferable to individual responsibility, no matter how re-
=ble. The Hon. Member concluded with moving that the
e Insurance 11111 should be committed.
The motion having been seconded—
Mr. GII RN FELL rose to oppose the motion. He complained In
file first instance that in introducing this subject the Honourable
Member forWcynumth had adverted to topics which had tioreference
whatever to the subject before the House. Ile hail commenced his
speech with an allusion to a lately-established company and he had
wed a pretty tolerable lecture open the liability of all companies.
(Hoir.) Ile had not intended to say a syllable on the subject of
that company, but the Honourable Member seemed determined
that it should not remain nnnoticed. lie still wished to speak of it
with respect, bat as the llonourable Member had forced that com-
pany on their attention, he thought it right that the Howie should
know, and that the public should know, the exact character and
situation of that conipany. It was composed of a certain number
of merchants, with a capital of RIO,IIOOL which they modestly de-
li/tooted a capital of five millions. (flew.) They might with equal
propricy term it a capital of fifty millions ; that is, they might as
well say that the sum subscribed was one per cent. in fifty millions, as
that it was ten per cent. in five millions (Hear, hear.) lie admitted
that all the members composing this Company were sufficiently
secure for the latter sum. As long as such names were to be found
among its directors as Baring, Rothschild, Irving, Buxton, and
Alexander, there was no doubt whatever that its responsibility
was just as unquestionable as that of the flank of England. As
long as such names continced among its partners, no one could, in
this period, entertain the slightest doubt of solvency. But pemis-
'limey was not the principle of this stock company. It was in
their power to-morrow to relieve themselves from all responsibi-
lity by the mere simple transfer of their shares, and what, then,
WWI to become of that solvency, upon which public confidence, he
would not say credulity, rested ? It was not his duty to under-
take any defence of Lloyd's. There were Gentlemen opposite
much more capable of informing the House upon that subject.
He would not dwell upon the great conouercial importance of that
establishment—of the system of communication which it preserved
with such wondrous industry through all parts of the world. And
with respect to freedom of trade, there was not in that houses
wanner advocate than himself; and no consideration of a formal or
friendly nature should ever induce him to deviate from the principle
of those votes which he had given on that subject. But could they,
in this instance, without being guilty of a violation of faith
camel the charter so granted—granted, as the honourable Mem-
ber for Weymouth admitted, for thirty-one years, and nothing
dune at the expiration of that period ? flut he contended, that it
was out of the power of the House to interfere with the charter in
the way now proposed. For the Act distinctly stated the mode by
which the charter was (if deemed expedient by the Crown) to be
revoked.
Me. LOCK H A RT—N o.

insurance—one would think a very natural requisition. Ilut what by one-thud than it ttru nee known in this or in any other country.
was the answer ? No man acquainted with the system at I,loy. 's The I lonourable Member for Weymouth had referred to similar
could pretend ignorance of it. The agent's t sewer must be, that' establislunents to the present in other countries. The reference was
'some of the undtrwritm were dead. Then came that most formi. most infelicitous. as It affected his argument. Ile had spoken of
dable of all settlements--a settlement with their executors! Sane Hamhurgh ; and there what had been the consequence of the new
of the parties were insolvent, and others litigious. Such was the system? Insurares companies were established, and indivi.
answer, nine times out of ten, received by the country merchant. , dual indemnity was destroyed, and upon its ruins a mono.
I Ile held in his hand at that moment a bundle of policies, and it t poly was established. and whatever sums the directors of these
was fair to state that he procured them from the office of an tutor- companies deemed it their interest to tusk was demanded and paid,
ney. The policies covered a slat of 150.0001., and upon every one for there was no longer a scope for private competition. Ile eon-
of these, the parties, sonic had died, some were litigious, some ! tended ton, that theaccommetlanon in the CAN! of individual indent-
insolvent. I nity, was much greater than under the unbending regulations of
An Hon. Member front the opposite side inquired for what joint stock companies In illustration of this assertion, he might
year ? I be pertnitted to mention a case of his own, where a ship sailed and
Mr. BUXTON —For the years 1810 and 1811. The first case repeatedly changed her course, and no difficulty was ever ex.
he should mention was one of 11111, and from that it appeared, pelmet by him at Lloyd's in procuring the necessary alterations
that of the underwriters, the first was insolvent, the second dead ,in the policy. This he could not have accomplished with a Stock
hut dying in solvent circumstances, the third insolvent, the fourth ; Company. The vessel was ultimately lost, and with the exception
insolvent ! This case was a sufficient illustration of the dangers of two of the underwriters, the rest had paid the amount of their
from insolvency, so inseparable from individual security. The ' respective policies. These two had refused on the score of legal
next advantage, RS it seemed to him, in favour of joint stock coin- I objection. With regard to insolvency, he must admit that it was
parries, arose from the necessary dintunition of litigation, a point !more likely to occur under individual responsibility than where the
to which none of the Learned Connsel had adverted. (A laugh.) ; insurance was effected with a company. In 11110, the butter seizure,
It was evident the litigation would be greatly reduced by removing ; originating in a long continuance of adverse winds, had ruin.
these restrictions, and for this obvious rautors—you may sue • ed many underwriters ; but generally speaking the losses were
Company by one action ; you must proceed separately, by dit'- I extremely trilling—not more than lid. per cent. The Hon. lilem-
tenni anions, against Underwriters. Then as to insolvency, he; her for Weymouth had admitted that this holy allhosee would be
did not mean to contend that a joint stock company was beyond t liable to the Bankrupt Laws; and he was gratified in bearing a
the reach of a reverse of fortune, so as to educe it to absolute I declaration, the effect of which would be, to keep every person of
bankruptcy ; but the chances, in this case, were indisputably less. respectability from all connection with the company.
These observations, or nither statement of facts, clearly proved Ale. HUME conceived that much more was made of this subject
that the restrictions existed at present to the manifest ineonveni- , than it merited. Upon the first discussion of this subject, and at
I once re the merchant ; and not one reason had been stated by ths I the request of his Hon. Friend, the Member for Penryn (Mr.
I Learned Counsel who had that night addressed them fur the con- ; Grenfell), he had looked into this subject, and at first the inelms-
I tinttance of these restrictions. The onlyof question, then, that re- ; tion of his opinion was in favour of the Company, but upon
I o eon-
mained to be considered was, whether the removal them was in- , sideration he had arrived at a different conclusion. The Company
consistent with, or in violation of, the charter by which they were had, as it were, a lease for 31 years. for which they were to pay a
I granted. Ile would not then repeat that which had formerly been ' given sum ; if they paid that sum they were entitled to their time,
stated and proved in that house, that these charters originated in a but if not, it was in the lessors power to abandon the contract.
mere job. Ile did not mean top into the comparative purity of Ilappen what would, when the lease expired they became mat
their history ; but admitting that they were granted for high de- tenants at will. (Hear, hear.) In ordinary occurrences, this
'servings, he would, on that admission, proceed to investigate them. I was a plain and intelligible construction, and it must ap-
Thes nave granted fur a given time at n stipulated aunt. Tyeh ! ply to the charter here granted, unless some special circum-
were granted for the period of 31 years upon the payment of , stances was 'hewn to take this case out of the general rule. Let
3110,0001. They did not pay :410,01101.: they so far, therefore, re- I this Company strew bow they were exempted. This had not bees
linqui.hed, or rather forfeited, any advantage they might derive ' done by their Counsel. Ile really thought that this Company
' front the contract. He admitted that, by an Act of Puha- I ought to be grateful to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the
runt subsequently passed, the purchase-money was reduced to , course he had taken. He had not taken away the charter, but be
110,0001. had granted its privileges toothera. Let the Company beware then,
Mr. ORENFEI.L.-150,000/. lest by unjustified and unreasonable complaint they compelled the
Mr. 111;XT0N admitted it might be so. No attention, how- Government torn:emend the then charter should be revoked. Go-
ner, was made as to time, and now, instead of haying enjoyed %velment had acted towards them most indulgently, said,
. ... .

Th
" Keep sour privileges but allow others to participate in
ahem."
(Hear.) These were his sentiments, and not the lees likely to be
oserect from his being uninfluenced by any connexion with Lloyd's.
on the one hand, or the newly.established Company on the other.
Mr. Alderman WOOD thought that in a change deeply affect
log the rights of so m my individuals, some further inquiry should
be instituted. The objects professed were in hi. apprehension rather
specious titan substantial, and the arguments by which the system
of ittdividual competition was undervalued, and its perfection gates.
tithed, appeared to him unfounded. %What instance had there been
produced (there were statements in abundance) of any injury sus.
toned by an insurance from the conduct of the underwriters) Not
one, and it •a+ rather too serious a matter to deprecate a system,
which, if it were destroyed must put an end, at the same limo, to
an our maritime information.
Mr. Alderman THOMPSON contended, that the very accept-
thee of the 120,1100/. for the charter by Goveroment, was a confir-
mation of the powers which it granted. When he heard the lion.
Member fur Weymouth (Mr. F. Buxton) speak in support of the
present measure, he confessed that he suspected the quarter from
which it came, from the conduct of that Honourable Member on
the Spitalfields Act. New societies were not so beneficial as was
generally imagined. liamburgh was a proof of this. In that
city, in 111011, new Insurance Societies were established, the come.
quence of which was, that having reduced the number of separated
underwriter..., five, they came to an understanding with each
other, and estaii!ished ato monopoly. There was nothing
in which there was greater competition than in marine insurances.
The Market was as open as the Corn, Sugar, or any other Market,
and if the Bill now before the )louse passed, It would only tend to'
destroy a I irge number of individuals, no less than three thou-
sand five hundred, between brokers, clerks, and under-
writers. If the lion. Member for 11'eymouth, instead of engag-
ing the exertions of tiovernment in favour of the Bill, had codes-
enured to engage them for the policy duty, which was so high as
30 or 10 per cent. he would have done a much greater good. (Hear,
hear.) What had been the benefit conferred by other new societies,
that they were so anxious to encourage new Marine Companies?
Had the Oas or ll'ater Company conferred much service on the
public ? So far from this, the latter had destroyed competition,
and increased the charge for supplying water 60 per cent. beyond
what it bad been before its establishment. He disclaimed any
connection with Lloyd's or the Exchange, further than as an indi-
vidual merchant, who had paid large sums to Lloyd's, and never
suffered any logs.
Mr. BUXTON said, that after the personal attack—(Cries of
" No, hear, hear, and spoke").—after the personal attack that bad
been made on him by the Ilonourable Member who had just sot
down, he might claim the indulgence of the House, to say a
word or two in reply. The Honourable Member spoke so
that it should be inferred that he had acted rather from
motives of interest than principle. Now, he appealed to
the candour of the Hight Honourible Chancellor of the Ex.
thequer, if on the Beer Bill, to which the lion. Member seemed
to ullDode, he had been one of his opponents, either in or out of the
House. Though placed in circumstances of considerable diffieulty
at **done, many permits having thought that it would ruin them
if the trade were thrown open to competition; and others, that it
would confer a public beneht, he still denied that he was hostile to
that inmeure.
Mr. Alderman TIIO3IPSON disclaimed the intention of
throwing out any disrespectful insinuation against the lloothrabie
Member.

lloctor IX:ill I NUTON said, the question involved two im

..... , ,
Mr. t ;BENI:EU-1 beg the lion. Gentleman pardon, but I portant considerations ; first, its to the expediency of the repeal of the
say " Fes." The 18th section distinctly stated that after the *ape- privileges of the chartered societies, on the ground of public ad.
ration of the 31 years, if his Majesty deemed it expedient he might vantage and utility ; and secondly, as related to the injury which
revoke it. Now without inquiring whether this Country had grown it might inflict on those societies which may be deprived of those
out of that job alluded to by the lion. Member for Weymouth, and Privileges. Now he would be the last man to deprive any society
which allusion he had never before heard—if any mode was to be of rights secured to them by law ; but the present Bill did not pro-
adopted for the revocation of the charter, that mode was clearly pose the repeal of any privileges which statute may have provided
pointed out, and if they wished to preserve public faith they should for any particular set of men. Instead of the illegitimate deprive.
tion of any rights and privileges of any particular chartered body.
not, they dare not, touch these charier', but by an application to the
King and Council. (lleat, hear.) In this opinion he was for- the principle of the Bill contained no such hostile intention to
Wiest by precedent—by three precedents, all of which had occurred other societies. It had been contended that the Act confirming
within his own recollection. The first was a Bill similar to the the Charters had guaranteed exclusive privileges to these societies ;
present, introduced in 1808 by the State Insurance Company—as but in his opinion the construction of the Act supported the very
respectable a company as that now formed, and that Bill was re- reverse of such a monopoly. The opinions of Sir Vicary Gibbs
jetted. In 1810 a certain number of merchants introduced a simi- and Sir r. Planter had been referred to as to the mode of revoking
lac Bill, and it was referred to a Select Committee. Of the Comm_ the charter, and declaring against the power of Parliament to re-
mitter he (Mr. Grenfell) had the honour of being a Member. peal it. (Hear, hear, from the opponents of the Bill.) He (Doctor,
They produced a very voluminous report, favourable—extremely Lushington) always regarded the opinions of lawyers with distrust,
favourable, he admitted, to the principle of the Bill—which re. and relied rather on the case on which they formed their judgment.
port was now reprinted, but the measure during that ties_ In the present instance, as no case was laid before them, this simple
lion was abandoned. The attempt, however, was revived in opinion only was called foe and given. lie would read the Act,
11111, and lie (Sir. (imorel') had then the advantage to find itself, and particularly direct the attention of the HOWe to the 15th
on his side against the measure the Chancellor of the Exche- clause, which vested a power in the Crown of making the charter I
quer, Mr. Perceval, who, though friendly in point of principle to I revocable on the expiration of thirty-one years, on repayment of 1
a removal of the restrictions, voted against the Bill so introduced, the money which had been given in consideration of the privileges
because the Act of Parliament pointed out the manner in which the charter bestowed. The peculiarity in rived to these anaemia
the charter was to be revoked. There voted with him also the At. was, that the usual forms were dispensed with, and the power of '
torney•General, Sir Vicary Gibbs, and the Solicitor-General, Sir revocation was not accompanied by inquisition or a Jerre facia:, se
T. Plainer—no mean authorities-.-and for the reason already stated, prevailed in similar instances. The Hon. Gentleman (we believe
that the Act required, previously to the revocation of the charter, Mr. (lrenfell) agreed with him as to the law which the Act laid
a reference to the Privy (council. In 11113 the Bill in question down, hut differed front him as to the conclusion of the argument
having been lost in the preceding Parliament, was carried be. upon it. The Honourable Gentleman seemed to think that
fore the Privy Council, but nut prosecuted. lewd Ellenhorough Parliament, by vesting this power in King and Council, had
then sat in the Privy Council, and from some observations that tied up its own hands from the exercise of any control or '
fell from that Learned Judge—certain expressions, with refer_ power in the revocation of these charters. But he (Doctor
ence to the objects of the application—the parties did not think bushington) would contend, that such was not the case, but
proper to press their claims, and until the formation of this new would maintain, that in investing the Crown with such an autho-
Alliance Company, the question was not subsequently agitated. thy, the House did not abdicate the constitutional principle of ex-
ile telt sorry in having detained the House. Meats hear.) But mei:dog its discretion over the Acts which it passed confirmatory
he felt at the same time that the tenderness and caution with which of charters. As to the policy of the measure, he deemed the Bill
that House had ever interfered with the privileges of parties, ex- highly beneficial, and as maculated to promote those principles of
rcpt by the prescribed course, and under the especial sanction of free trade which they had heard so highly recommended no the
the Act conferring or corroborating their privilege's, should be other side of the House, and in support of which he had uniformly
impressed on the House. He had endeavoured to do so by ',hewing! voted. In respect to marine insurances, lie was by no means of
the nature of the charter, and the distinct method provided for opinion that we had arrived at that degree of perfection which
Irestoring it ; and as on • former occasion he had the good fortune this country was entitled to expect. These privileges, which rune
to obtain the support of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, he i were so unwilling to extend, were confined to two societies. The
trusted he would also have on that evening the advantage of the lion. and Learned Gentleman next adverted to the report, wh eh
argument and the influence of the Right lion. Gentleman Opp- , was ably and skilfully drawn up, and in which the motives
site, against the present motion. that induced the measure were stated. The principal object
Mr. GURNEY merely wished to suggest the possibility of in-, to be arrived at was, the reduction of insurances to the lowest
convenience arising from confounding the two species of insurance possible rate. This could be best effected by competition, to
—namely, on lives and marine insurances. which exclusive privileges and monopoly operated as an obstacle.
The CHAMSELLOR of the EXCHEQIIER did not enter into As te joint-stock companies, lie did not coincide in opinion with
the feeling just stated by the Hon. Member. He saw no grounds, ; those who opposed their formation ; many and important advan-
either in policy or expediency, fur pruhibifing the union of the two tages were derivable from them. They undertook and *morn.
branches of insurance. The question which he had to ask himself !Malted objects which it was impossible for individuals to engage
was, whether, upon principles of equity or justice, there was any in. Were it not for such corn tins this town would not now en • '
objection to the present motion, sr to the mode by which it was at. joy the facilities it possessed in lighting the metropolis, and its
tempted to attain it ? As to the policy he had long since expressed supply of wa'er. It was through their noodium that such facilities
a decided opinion. in 1813, when he was President of the Board had been effected. He was a sufficient time in Parliament to re-
of Trade, he had given that opinion in favour of the removal of these member the first formation of these companies in 1807, when,
restrictions. The argument of the lion. Member for Penryn (Mr. through the competition that prevaileslohares which were selling for
trienfell) was not, in his mind, an unanswerable as he seemed to , 10,000 L were reduced by two or three thousand pounds. After a
consider it. The charter was granted upon the condition of receiving few further observations in support of the policy of jolt t-stock coin.
from the Company :100.11010., and of that suns only one half was I panics, the Honourable and Learned (gentleman concluded by giv.
paid. It expired in thirty-one years. No doubt an apparent diffl-litig his support to the present Bill, front • conviction of its expe-
citify arose as to the mode in which their privileges, as they were ' diency to the general interests of the country.
termed, were to be revolted. They were granted by charter ; and Mr. PIA /MISR thought the rights of private individuate should
if the charter was revoked, it must he revoked absolutely. If the be respected and maintained, but deemed it peculiarly incumbent
parties went before the Crown they must be prepared (if the Crown on Parliament to protect those rights which were secured by char-
thought it inert or right, or eapitlient) for the revocation of the ter. in the charters of these companies, the period of their coml_
whole charter, and for the purpose of enabling Parliament to deal nuance was unlimited ; as, on the expiration of 31 years it was re.
with this question, so as merely to remove a restriction without at newable, and thus by a perpetual succession of such reheard/ these
the same tune committing an art of injustice, the appeal was made companies were induced to believe their charters would not be Mi-
te Parliament. Ile wok! not see this measure in the light in Welled or interfered with. Ile conceived they held them on
which the Hon. Member for Penryn viewed it ; he, on the con.. stronger and more secure terms titan the Bank of England, or even
entry, was friendly to it from principle, and therefore he should tbe Last India Company.
give his vote fin the motion. Mr. LOCKHART said, that as to perpetual succession, that
At this period of the discussion a message arrived from the argument was destroyed by the subsequent clauses of the Act,
Cords. announcing that their Lordships had assented to several which gave a power to the King and Council, on any occasion,
Bills. They were of • private nature. should the public interests require it, to revoke the charter alto-
Mr. T. W I LSI/S1 expressed his surprise at the arguments used gether. (Year.) For his own pan, he had no private interest either ' '
by the Right Honourable Gentleman who had, spoken last in the' in that or in any other measure of this kind, but was desirous ofi
alleSate. The reasoning, too, of the Honourable 3lember for Wey- I supporting the Bill,from an improvement in the law which it intro.
mouth, on the charter, was, it seemed to hint, most inoinclusive.idueed. That improvement consisted in not obliging a pox .1 who'
If the terms were not fulfilled, the mini paid should be, at all . may have occasion, to sue all the members of die Company. For
events, roturned. It had been stated WO, that if this Bill passed,' instance, hitherto* Company might consist of fifteen hundred mem.:
we should become the insurers of the world. This was perfectly berm, and an Individual, having a claim on that Compeer, was '
absurd. The rate of premiums for insurances at present was lower übligcdto sue in the name of Mein all, and his suit was often re.

COTIEURTAN WAX ()F len
MHE H().DERS of the HONI)S which are to Le
1 Exchanged on the lit of June next, or on any subseqwn t
day, are requeoctl to send in the Numbe-a and Amounts of t!...f
Bands, one day previous to their calling for the saute, to the C0...v.
ing-liou.e of !thrall. Herring, Graham, and Powla, Freest
court, Conthill.

ArkiST
IrnE Proposal for instituting a %I'EST
lL PANV orPrinated in the
,mint design of benefiting ti.r
West India Colonies, and of affirding to the existing abundance of
capital in the M liar t Minify, an employment at once advantageous
and intim:l,cl'. com,ecoll wiM British interests; and as his Ma.
jratv's ffovemment !:;u1 expressed their general approbation of its
pritic'pl.s and object. it was not anticipated that any diCiculty
would prow to itself in the way of its ot.sl.l,shibent under proper
sanction. The public stennrdingly received a pledge (rota the
I/irectors in the commencement of the undertaking, that the Subs
serilrers to the mopmall capi:sl should not be involved in any
bilities beyond the amount of their n—pectire Shares; a purpcse
whit!' it low been ft:tient can only be effectually accomp!iend 11 a
Parliamentary Of Royal Clisrier. But his 31iijest) filinisters
having. after mature deliberation, declined to acquicae (expressing
their opinion that they cannot, cassis:mar with the rale whicji they
hare so recently laid down restucting Joint Stock Comp.ini,s in
gmeral, grant this privilege to the West India t:onipary) the Pre.
.idents and Directors beg to inform the numerous parties who hare
so promptly and liberally offered their support to its establialimem,
that their Subscriptions will not be called for, and that the I.lan is
for the present abandoned. As the applications tar Silares ere t'..
tremely numerous, the Presidents and Directors hope dist it si:l
not be deemed necessary to return each letter to the nub,cri-cr, Let
any of them will be given up on a request made to that effict, sttl
alter the 30th ofJune those which remain uncalled for will he c.c..
greyed. J. W. PR CSIIFIELD.
New Back buildings, May 28, 1824.

liritigit

A7.ll;'S 7 EA 7RE.
This Evening, SAT!: V, May gli, will be performed
Prinelpfil Perf, writer. :—Madame Hons. S:nor Garcia. Signor Purt,..
M. liegree, Signor Seinen, SOmor (blatant, Signor (liven, be.
After the own,.
LE soNGE LioNSIAN.

NEW TllRA'iliiiiill.li.,intUßY-I,ANE.
This Evening. S ‘TI'R HA V. May 9, wilt be performed
THE ROAD O REIN.
Old Dorntom Mr. Munden ; Henry floraton. Mr. F.lliston; Guldfmch,
Mr. I thriev • Sophia. Wee S. (both.
After which, SPA NIsH HALLANTS.
To conclude with
ALL THE %MILD'S A STAGE.

THF.ATIIF: JWTAG, COI:RAT-GARDE
Thtui Evening. t. ATUR DA V. May 579. will be perfornied
CH ARLEN THE SE(1)S1): or. THE MENII MoNARCIL King eliarlea the 5ee..114. Mr. F. Keuilile: Lord Rochester. Yr. Joule t
Captain Cupp. 34r. Fawcett: Nary, Mi H. Tree.
Aer whic h
COZININO; OR, HALF ANHOUR IN FRANCK.
To which will be added.
THE HUNTER OF Tlll ALPS.
On Monday, King I lehry the Fourth, with the Spirits of the Noon.

31.111.5.
Due: 1 Lisbon, 1 Gottenburgh. ARRIVED: 1 Holland,
1 Flanders.

Bar•sser.s, MAY 24.—Private letters from Par's say,
that the Cabinet of Madrid has rejected the mediation of
England between Spain and the new States in South An.e-
rica, and that on the 6th of this month it had made a de-
claration to that etti•ct ; that the King will never consent
to the independence of his ancient Colonies, but to the
decision of a Congress of Europt•an Sovereigns, and that
he would exert all his efforts to reduce the rebels to obe-
dience.

IThe courier who left Bogota on the 29th of February,
passed the British Conitnissiont rs nn their road to that
capital, between it and Honda. The hitter is not three
!days journey thin Bogota. The Commissioners had been
I received at the towns through which they passed in the
moat mthusiastie manner.

-----
ITHEATRE ROYAL, ENGLIsH OPERA-HOL'sE
MR. MATHEWs ‘T HOME!
This Evening. sATI 'lt DAV. May 210. With his ANNUAL LEC CCRE on PECULIARITIES. CHARACTER,
and
andE
Founded on ObsermtionAdventures during his late
TRIP TO AMERICA.
In Three Pmts.
PAX? 111.—A Monopolyingue, called ALL WELL AT NATCHITOCHES.
MI the Character/Jut the Fireplug's Entertainment to be represented
by Mr MATHER'S.
Doors to be opened at Seven—Performance begins at Eight o'Clork.
Buses to be taken of Mr. atereuson, at the Sox Mier. Strand En-
trance . from Ten HI! Five.

Under theiCspeetal Patronage of his Majesty.
rallX11.11.1: ROTA!. (MIIDE.VS
WILL OPEN ON MONDAY NEXT.
The Proprietors respectfully announce. t hat during the Recess they
have spared neither pains nor riposte 111 render the Gardens every way
worthy the dutriiitunlied and general approbation they have rere,VeL
The Aniusenients will, us iisiial. coulirclice with a Grand VOCAL and
INSTHUMENT.kI. CoNCERT. At the end of the First Act will be
sung by the whole vocal strength, the National Anthem of "God save
King," and, at the conclusion of the Concert. " Rule Britannia." At
the New Theatre, with appropriate new scenery, new Moors, and
new deenrations, Ballets will be represents t. The eeleLrated Mona
of the Rine. Academy ot Music at I lets, and late Ballet Master
of the Italian Opera Douse, will conduct this department. and, under
hisdlreetion, a numerous ('.:cps de Mallet has !wen engaged. Their
Performances will rostimence with the Mallet of the Cil I Ncbc a ED-
DING In which will he int roditeed s.vral characteristic dances, and,
among others, a leas de car• cc, calcd the Jugglers Dance. he
French Mechanical Theatre has been re-modelled and improved: the
Immense apace occupied last seasini by the View of the Hay of Nap.es
is now represent a magnificent scene of the Cove of Fingal. Hy-
draulic Exhibitions will be produced on a superkw stale by Mr. Morris.
The Enntoceini, by Mr. Grey. The Figures and Dresses are entirely
new, having hen. made expressly fur the Royal Gardens. Several
new Co smoranum have beet. added. and placed In eligible situations,
which will be changed during the season, was to present a variety of
Interesting views and stenery. From the New Castellated Moorish
Tower the Fire Works will he exhlli.tcl. The Aortae on the Rope will
be made to a Triumphal Arch at the Top of the Moorish Tower, by
Mr. Mack ..... re, well known as the surprising young American; mei
at
Tight Rope
immense height hr will exhibit his wonderful powers on the Tight Rope. Toe ISIMILS will exceed any ever before exhibited
in Europe, and will he is...ducted by Madame Hengler, Chevalier
bouthby, and Mr. ICEnist. The lihmilisiations will also far surpass
those of any former season. The WIMPS and Kefredunento shalt be,
as heretofore. of the very best deseription. Supper loxes may be en-
gaged. aid free admission; for tue single night or entire season may he had. The Gardens will • e open as usual on the Evenings of Monday.
Wednesday, and Friday, thruUghlmit the Season, Doors oven at Seven
Concert begins at Eight.—Admission, 6d.

BRITIIIIM PREP'S commenced publishing yesterday morning
at a quarter past five o'clock.

LONDON, SATURDAY, MAY 29, 1924.

The influence of the Foreign Ministers and the firm-
ness of Don John and the Marquis de Palmclla, have
' tranquillised Lisbon, and disappointed the hopes of the
profligate Don Miguel and his ambitious mother. The
' King's residence on board the IVindsor Castle was de-
esive; it brought his vile son a suppliant to his feet.
That abandoned boy, dismayed by the measures his father
had adopted, appeared on board the British vessel, on the
summons requiring him to do so, not in the garb of autho-
rity, but cempletely humbled, and acknowledging the
crimes he had committed, and explaining how he bad been
s.duced from his allegiance. Pan John, surrounded by
the diplomatic corps, had unwonted firmness enough to
reprove his profligate son as he deserved: a Royal Decree
immediately issued, removed him from the command of
the army, and in consequence of a subsequent order, l)on
Miguel went on board a French frigate in the Tagus, on
the loth, about to sail for France, where this profligate
was to pass some time, removed from the scene of his
ambition, and travel for his improvement. The Queen
(Charlotte Joaquiina) by another order, had been pro-
hibited from appearing at Court, and was confined to the
Palace at Mofra, where this intriguing and wicked woman
was to remain under aut veillance. The Portuguese Monarch
quitted the Windsor Castle with reluctance. On the after.
noon of the Pith of May he entered Lisbon again with
reluctance, but the royal authority was supreme in the
capital on his re-appearance. The Foreign Ministers ac.
companied the King on board the British vessel, and were
present at the interview between hint and his son. Their
firmness saved Portugal from all the horrors that would
have followed on the plats of the Queen and Don Miguel
being realized. A circular soon after was addressed to the
commanders of the several Portuguese corps, aatiouncii:g
the dismissal cf the Prince, and charging them not to obey
any order issued in his name. A subsequent order, from
the Intendant-General of Police, directed that all persons
illegally arrested on the 30th of April, while Don Miguel
usurped the authority, should be iteneeduttely vet at liberty.
The entire of the orders and decrees issued in the name of
the Portuguese Monarch, were dated on the 9th of May.
on board dm Windsor Castle. The Suppkinent to the
Lisbon Gazette of the 10th, contains a proclamation of
some length, dated on board the British ship the pre-
ceding day, in which the alarming events that agitated
Lisbon on the 30th of April and Ist of May, are detailed,
and the Prince Don Miguel is severely censured for having
been influenced by treacherouts counsels, and committed
acts in the name of the Monarch which he had not sanc-
tioned. This proclamation speaks indignantly of the vio-
lation of the sovereign authority, against which the diplo-
matic Ministers had protested. It then assures the inha-
bitants of Lisbon that judges should be appointed to
investigate the cause, of the recent events, and to punish
the guilty. To this proclamation, after announcing the
dismissal of Don Miguel, was added a decree, announcing
the ro-aseumption of the command of the army by the
King, and the formation of a Council of IVar for lesublZ
the necessary orders to the respective corps. Thee, the

party of the Qutlen and ! in has been eruslie(i. the
weak but well-dispoved Monarth is not favourable to ty-
ranny, and a better order of things is likely to be restored.
Confidence will thus succeed to the agitation and dismay that
for many successive dart pervaded every quarter of Lis-
bon; and in place of a licentious soldiery and a fanatic
populace, let loose to butchery and plunder, Portugal will
probably be tranquil and undisturbed fur sonic time to
tome.

The Spanish Ansocaty has at length appeared in a supple-
ment to the .314drid Gazette of the '20.11, loaded with ex-
crptions, and forming a sweeping Decree of almost uni-
versal
proscription. Like the memorable mandate of the I
Triumvirs--Augustus, Antony, and Lepidus, it denounces
every individual, hostile from political or private feelings, to
thefaction now in power in Spain. This !keret, proscribes,
in fact, every leading individual connected with the Revo-
lution, during the three years it lasted. The Chiefs of the
military revolt at Las Cahrsas, the Isle of Leon, Corunna,
Satagosa, Oviedo, and Barcelona, are all denounced. I
The same penalties are extended to what are called the
isincipal authors of the conspiracy at Madrid at the begin-
ring of 3farch 1+420, who wrested from the vile Ferdinand
the unwilling decree proclaiming the constitution, on the
7th of March IS2O. The fifth exception includes the mili-
tary chiefs who took part ir. the revolt of Geogna, anal
Abishal is yarticetlarly denounced by name, and thus
awarding to him the &rens which this triple traitor fully
earned. Ihe whole body of the Cortes who, on the Nth
of June tttl3, on the motion of the l/eputy Gallant), voted
the dethrot orient of the King, and the establishment of a
It gcncy, are also proserilieJ, with the temporary Regents
appointed until Ferdinand reached Cadiz. The same penalty
is extended to the General nunmanding the troops, who
accompanied the tyrant to that city. The exceptions also
reach unlimitedly to the writers who have attacked the
Catholic religion, thus preserving tire ancient spirit of the
Inquisition in its worst form. The three following
articles denounce the Judges who condemned Elio
and his Lieutenant, at Valencia ; those concerned in the
death of the Canon Vinnesa and the Bishop of Vial, with
the Royalist prisoners at Grenada and Corunna ; the
Chiefs of the Guerillas, who had risen in arms since

Angouletne entered Spain in 1843 ; and the European
Spaniards who signed the convention concluded at Mexico
between the Viceroy O'Donoju and Augustin Iturbide. A
special article alludes to the individuals who, being ex.
eluded from the Amnesty by the spirit of the Decree, are
included in it by capitulations granted by the French
Generals. Permission is extended to these unhappy indi-
viduals to reside in Spain only on condition of their ap-
pearing before the Tribunals. to be tried according to law ;
that is, to be immured in dungeons for months, and then
'bagged before Tribtmals--where their fate is certain !
'fling Ferdinand and the crew about him are pursuing their
f .11 career with an undiminished thirst of vengeance. This
Amnesty includes in its exceptions all the principal exiles,
tu a man, who have found refuge on these shores. The
gallant Mime, as Military Chief at Barcelona; Qrtiroga,
as head of the revolution at Curunna ; the unfortunate
E ireinado, now in a Spanish dungeon ; the two Ar-
guelles, Gallant), and • number of others, the most en-
lightened among the Spaniards, are all marked out for
vengeance in a body. They however are now fortunately
beyond the tyrant's power. While the French troops remain
in Spain, the present dreadful order of things is likely to last.
Should they once more return within the Pyrenees, Per-
ilinatia's kingdom will soon be " on a weak foundation,"
and tyranny and superstition in that fated country be
levelled in the dust again.

The second reading of the Marine Insurance Bill, on
the motion of Mr. Powell Buxton, was carried, on a divi-
sion last night, by a majority of 19. The lion. Member
contended, that in point of principle there could be no ob-
jection to a measure, the object of which was to close a
monopoly. Before Mr. Buxton procedcd in his address to
the House, Mr. firenfell rose, and moved that Counsel
be called in, and beard at the liar of the House, against
the Bill ; and after some discussion, Mr. Sergeant Boman-
quet, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Marryatt, and Mr. Sergeant
Tacitly, were severally called in and heard, on the part of
the London Assurance Company, and the Underwriters
and Insurance Brokers at Lloyd's. After thole gentlemen
had concluded their appeals against the Bill, Mr. Buxton
resumed his arguments in support of the measure. He
was ready, he said, to concur with that part of the doc-
trine 11:1 down by the Learned Counsel, that no Joint
Stock Companies should have exclusive protection. Adam
Smith, who disliked all Joint Stuck Companies, always
excepted Insurances by Partnerships or Campanies. The
Americans, Mr. Buxton said, invariably resorted to them.
In Holland, liainhurgh, Copenhagen, and in France, he
stated, similar Coinpanks were established. On a for-
mer occasion, lie had stated that the expense of employ-
ing the broker fell on the merchant; lie had since learned
that the expeiee was borne by the underwriter. Mr.
Buxton, we beg to say, ought not to make his statements
upon light authority, or without proper inquiry : when
coming from a gentleman of so serious a character, they
make for the time a proportionate impression. The Hon.
Gentleman went on to contend that the security of a Joint
Stock Company was much superior in individual responsi-
bility; and to illustrate various failures which Mr. Buxton
alleged to have taken place at Lloyd's, he produced a bundle
of policies for the years 1 sin and I $1 4. (-leering as he alleged
a sum of 150,0001. lie did not, he said, mean to contend, that
a Joint-Stock Company was beyond the reach of insolvency ;
but the chances in such a case, compared with individual
responsibility, were indisputably less. Mr. Ilretifell op-
posed the Bill. The charters already granted, he said, by
acceding to Puch a change, must be violated. As to the re-
sponsibility, the Honourable Meinber admitted that, as long
as the present proprietors continued to luohi shares, the
new Cempiny would be solvent, but there was no term li-
mited for tie ir tenure of these shares ;—they might resign
them to-morrow. The Bill was supported by the Chan-
tenor of the E (chequer, and by Mr. flume, who followed
the Minister. Mr. Maiming opposed it very ably ;be de-
clared be thong,ht the measure quite unnecessary, and de-
fended the underwriters at Lloyd's from the reflec-
tions east upon them ; there, be said, every pos.
ble object in the way of insurance could be at-
taklied that the public benefit required. On a division,
51 voted in favour of the Bill, and only 32 against it.

We have cautiously abstained from making any reinstall
on Sir GEOAGL CII ETWIr X D.. motion, pending the progress
ul its discussion during the three days that it has occupied
tie attention of the Court. As its further hearing is post-
pmed till the next winy we are quite content to leave it
during the interval, where the impressive eloquence of Mr.
Seant. ITT and the powerful and argumentative address of
Sergeant WI Lot have left it. But while, out of re-
spect to our sense of propriety, as well as out of courtesy
'o Sir G. Chetwynd, towards whom we entertain no feri-
a, of patens' hostility, we take this neutral course, we

do n.:4 fed equally inclined to dismiss from our consblera - I
tion Me doctrine of Gel itself, and the system of opinions
and practices which are bound up with it, the operation
of which is coming gradually to have so strong and strik-
ing an influence on the freedom if Me press, as to require
that we should strictly look to it, and to its effects both on
the character of the Government and the safety of the Con-
stitution. What is a libel? Comvxs defines it to be "
contumely or reproach published to the di: fist' ; ;•111 of Go- i
vcrmnent, of a Magistrate, or of a private per on." It is'
manifest from this definition,—which is equally compre•
pensive and correet,—that to libel a man is toimpute to him
some offence of which lie is not guilty, or to ascribe his
actions, whatever they may he, to base and dishonourable
motives. It is hurtful to a man's reputation to he thus I
falsely charged ; and he has an undoubted right to appeal
to the legal tribunals of his country, to protect him from
being branded with undeserved reproach, and being made
to suffer disgrace and shame from false and unfounded me_
eusation. But a man who has actually committed the of-1
fence with which lie is charged, or who really and provably
I acted, in the particular instances, from the motives ascribed
to him—for such a man to complain that he is libelled is a
solecism, and for the law to bear him out in such a coin-
! plaint is preposterous. The maxim, therefore, that truth
is a libel, and the greater the truth the greater the libel, is
!a maxim of law as revolting to common sense as it is (Ha-
lhonourable to the national justice. It is a maxim inex-
plicable on arty principles of reasoning, and irreconcileable
Ito any rule of equity. It is a maxim invented for the worst
of purposes, and was introduced in the worst of times. It
is suited only to such times and to such purposes. We
would here take a distinction between a private individual
and a person in a public andiofficial static n. What, air may
be the errors and obliquities of a mall in private life, no
other man is justified in proclaiming them to the world ;
he is answerable at another tribunal for his weaknesses or
his vices, whatever they may be; and, so long as society is
not injured by either, no individual it. society is justified in
drawing down upon them the public reel •ritinent. The peace
of the world would be destroyed if every man were entitled
to sit in judgment on the conduct of every other man, and
therefore, though sufficient evidence might he brought in
proof of an accusation, still it is, in such I case, no justi-
fication of it, for if the offence is against the public, die pro-
per resort is to the public tribunals ; and if the party ac-
cusing is personally injured, it is open to him to seek re-
dress by legal means. But when the individual whose con-
duct is arraigned, either holds a situation in the magistracy
of the country, or fills any other station to which important
public duties are attached, the cas- here is widely dif-
ferent, and the party stands on very different ground. If
such an individual, surrounded with affluence and fortified
by power, is released from the control of public opinion,
and set free from the fear of public responsibility—if no one
shall venture, at his peril, to arraign the integrity of his
proceedings, or fling a doubt on the hitt grity of his motives,
his dread of reproof is removed and his conscience has no-
thing tostruggle;with ; in short, from the moment the truth,
when spoken of hi in, shall be open to prosecution as a lib, t—
hem that moment the law is his to abuse it as he pl, • s,
and the rights and privileges of the subject and of the
Constitution are at his mercy. " SILENCE, or !poi meet
" your fate," is the cautionary motto that should be
inscribed over the canopy of the judgmert scat : the
maxim and the motto should be inseparable. That man
alone is safe who betrays his indifference by his neutrality.
It is the aim and the object of the law ry'libei to bring the
public mind gradually into this state. By making it thus
dangerous to denounce the conduct of Magistrates and men
in power, it secures impunity to the worst abuses of autho-
rity. The law having declared the accusation to be equally
A i iar.t. whether true or (:rase, it thus gives to the bassi
abandonment of public duty all the security that should
follow the most faithful discharge of it. The lateness of
the hour obliges us to postpone our further observations till
our next.

IYeNuson, MA V IS.—Last evening his Majesty arrived
at his Royal Castle shout seven o'clock. The King came
from the Royal Lodge in his phaeton, drawn by beautiful
ponies. Immediately after his Majesty'sarrival the Royal
standard was hoisted on the Round Tower. The weather
being remarkably fine this morning the King took an airing
in his phaeton in the Park, an•t inspected the numerous
improvements which arc making there.
The Duchess of Clarence and the Princess Augusta rode
out together yesterday in the Parks.
The Duchess of Clarence honoured the Italian Opera
House with her presence on Thursday evening.
Yesterday the Duchess of Gloucester visited the Duchess
of t'larenc,..

1/u Thursday the n,ik, of Gloucrster honoured the Ex-
hibition of Ancient and Modem Mexico, aurl also the hatch-
ing of Chickens and other Birds by a steam apparatus, at
the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, with his presence. In the
evening the Royal Duke attended Covent-garden Theatre.
The same evening the Dueheas of Gloucester honoured
Lord Ragot with her company.
Prince Leopold, accompanied by the Prince of Leiningen,
honoured the Russian Ambassador's party on Thursday
evening with their presence.
Tuesday night an lonian messenger left town for Alcona.
To-day being the Anniversary of King Charles's Re-
storation, it wiil be a holiday at the Bank and the Stock
Exchange. The Foreign Market wiil he open.
Sir Richard Plaskett, 14 ecretary to the late Sir Thomas
Maitland, arrived yesterday at the Colonial Office in
Downing-street, with despatches from Malta and Naples.
A report was prevalent in the City yesterday, that the
health of the King of France is in so precarious a state,
that the next arrivals may probably bring an account of
his death.

Prince Polignite, the Punch Ambassador, left Portland-
place on Thursday morning, at ten o'clock, for Paris. It
is supposed that the object of his Excellency's visit to the
French capital is to give his vote in the ( 'hamber of Peers,
of which he is a member, on the project of law for the re-
duction of the interest on the French &ht.

Letters from Augsburg, received on Thursday, state that
the Prince of Nletternieb, previous to his journey to
Prague, is to wait upon the King of Bavaria upon a mis-
sion of high importance, The King of Wirtemberg is to
receive .1 visit from the Ambassador of another great power.
It would seem that the Holy Alliance are at length re-
solved to bring these gentlemen to account for &airing po-
pularity with their sithjects.
We understand a young lady in this town, on the evc
of marriage, bag just made an addition to her fortune by
a 20,0001: prise in the Lottery.—Dorser Chrominle,

Yesterday Mr. Evans resumed the sale of Sir Mark
Sykes's splendid Library, when the crlcbrated edition of
/.iry, printed by Sweynheym and Pannr.rtz, upon vellum,'
in 1469, was told for four hundred and fifty guineas,
after a long contention, to Messrs. Payne antlFues.

The StowArd Herne" of Friday says—" Yesterday,
at two o'clock, the Mayor. Aldermen, Town Clerk, and
Capital Burcesaes of the Corporation of Stamford, in full
costume, and attended by their officers bearing the maces,
went from the Town Hall in carriages to Burghley House,
to congratulate the Noble Lcrd Itecorder of this Borough
and the 'Marchionem of Exeter on their marriage. They
were received by the Marquis in the magnificent ball-room
at Burghley, and afterwards entertained with a th:jeteme ti
la 14n-belle in the most rplendid style. The corporate
body returned to their hall in procession about fire
o'clock, highly gratified with the reception they had
w

AWFUL INSTANCE OF lIITDDEN DRAT R.---Yestertlay
morning, Mr. Eh...worth, a hatter in Kim Smithfield, was attend-
ing at the Coun of Conscience in Osborne-tercet. Whiteehapel, to
claim some small debts, and .m his name being called by one of the
Criers of the Court, as he was approaching the Commissioners to
state hia OW, he suddenly fell hack, and instantly replied. lie
has left a large family to bewail his his.