The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-01-29 00:00:00

THE BRITISH PRESS.

step, is but the artifice of persons who are desirous of reslatance and
reform. And when every body knows that in point of fact there
are very large classes of the community that are not represented at
all, while, on the other hand, single individuals send Members to
the House of Commons, is it not therefore time to talk of the
made, when the question is, whether there should be edam at all ?
Notwithstanding the present state of the Cortnnons House of Par-
liament, the time is not far distant, when, by a gradual union of all
the friends of Reform, it will naturally be accomplished. I beg
leave, therefore, to propose
'• A cordial Union of all the Friends of Freedom in the cause of
Reform."
Mr. G. L. MASON, of Linderis, proposed " The health of Mr.
Jeffrey," which was received with enthusiastic applause.
Mr. JEFFREY returned thanks.

The CITA' et MAN next proposed what he conceived to be the sum
and substance of all the objects which they desired—." Civil and
Religious Liberty all over the world."
Mr. Alowcntirr rose. Mr. Chairman, I beg to propane " The
health of a Nobleman, the steady friend of Mr. Fox, anti the firm
supporter of his principles," and whom I believe I may with
safety, and without disparagement, distinguish as the greatest
living Statesman of England—l mean Earl Grey ; and with his
name I desire to connect the Whigs of England generally.
The Earl of Rossnrw said—Li is interesting to me to submit
to you a toast, which fortunately requires no co:nmendation front
me, and which needs none to make it acceptable to you. I mean
to propose to you the Whigs of Scotland, and I have no more to do
than to express my wishes for your own suceess, and for the pros-
perity of the common cause in which we are tamed. After the
luminous, the affecting, and the powerful exposition to which you
have listened, of the principles, the conduct, and the exertions of
that eminent Statesman and Patriot. whose memory we have met
to celebrate, it would be idle, and worse than idle—it would be in-
tolerably impertinent, in such an assembly to detain von fora mu.
ment in offering any ohnervations on the profession of that political
faith—in the justifying those principles to which, by your presence
here, you arepledged. I should therefore think my duty ratio-
hoc', concluded, and should lie exceedingly sorry that any words
should fill from me that could lessen the effect, or weaken the im-
pression on your minds. of the doctrines as ably expounded as it
was ever my good fortune to listen to in this interesting meeting. I
may he permitted to detain you for n single moment, to congratulate
the country and this assembly, on having to boast at its head and as
the most distinguished ornament of that country to which we be-
long, the person who is placed at the head of the ancient nobility of
this country. and who does more honour to his station; by his in-
dividual merits and eminent qualities. than any station can reflect
credit on any man—the first rank in this country—fpdatermedaet a
princely fortune—distinguished by great and exalted relents, but
still more distinguished by those qualities which have entitled him
to the confidence and affection of his cotintrymen-4 mean a de-
termined real in support of the true rights and interests of the
people. These circumstances justly entitle him to your regards,
your confidence, and your affection. He has never been found
wanting on any difficult occasion, and in some of the most diffi-
cult he has stood to protect the weak against the oppression of the
strong. (Applause.) I must be restrained, by the delicacy due to
his feelings, front indulging myself, and I believe, gratifying you,
by dwelling on those merits and qualities which it would be easy
to extol, and always delightful to admire. I must therefore con.
fine myself in snying wltat I not sure is true, that any deficiency
which may belong to me, will be more than amply made up by
your feeling of conscientious approbation. I propose to you
The " Duke of Ha eilton and the Whigs of Scotland."
The Duke of fiAMILTOW replied.—Your kindness and in-
dulgence overcomes rue; and I must begin by expressing ear
tha iks to my Noble Friend,. It is my boast and pride that •I
have, on all occasions, attended this meeting, and I have sup-
ported those principles which I hate followed under that illustrious
statesman whose memory we have now come here to celebrate.
Allow me to repeat my tanks to my Noble Friend, and to say
that he has completely overcome me by his expr-snions of friend-
ship, which are dear to me from the person from whom they came—
-1 owe them to his partiality, which in dear to met from the esteem
and regard I bear to him. It was with pleasure I have attended
this meeting, to have my name united with the IVhign of Scotland,
nearest to me front connexion, and dearest from principle and re-
gard. 1 have been allowed to propose a toast to you, and the
Chairman will permit me to propose it now—" The Duke of
Leinster and the Whigs of Ireland." It will, lam persuaded,
be a satisfaction to all, that they can connect so noble and ho-
nourable a Lord to the Whigs of Ireland. Born to enjoy every
distinction that his country can afford, nevertheless he has pre-
ferred the distinction of an Irish patriot to all the honours which
c-übt be heaped upon him. lie has been always firm to his
post—whether we consider him in his public or private character :
in his public, he has shown an undeviating love to his country—in
his private life, an endearing kindness to his people—and that
which they could not receive from the hands of Government, they
received from the individual. It is a proud and enviable situa-
' tion for that distinguished Nobleman to stand in. A circum-
stance has lately taken place, when a Learned Gentleman, in ad-
vocating the cause of the Catholics, was arrested, having, it is said,
pronounced seditious words. The prosecution was instituted b
the Lord Lieutenant of the county and the Attorney General.
The adverse party, however, could not find a bill, because the
complaint was of such futility that it did not deserve one. It has
been justly observed. that It is a duty to preserve the liberty of
the subject : it is a duty then to preserve the sentiments which
maintnin them. I would ask if there is any thing so natural, sup_
posing in this country your rights were wrested front you—your
constitution trampled upon, reviled, and ill-treated? And if you
could not any longer revert to those rights, would the same
voice not be heard in this country, and be heard in this room
from one end to the other—and be sosendert even from Tweed
to the Hebrides—there is not an individual who would not re-echo
it in the same strain. (Loud cheering.) The Catholic stands in
such an unfortunate predicament that hue hopes are elevated one
day and crushed the next. It would be more for the happiness
of. that people that they should have a denial altogether. I have
heard of certain animals who could he taught to betray others
of their own species, and to answer the purposes of emolument
to their masters; but it is reserved for the nineteenth century to
have spies frequenting the houses and gaining acquaintance ;
and after having obtained thetr confidence, and enjoyed their
society, we then find the informer, who one day sits at the table of
his unauspecting and kiod.heatted host, and the next holds out
his hand to hint, in token of friendship, and the next consigns
him to the executioner. I beg leave to propose._" The Duke of
Leinster. and a speedy restoration of the British Constitution in
Ireland."

Lord GLIWORCTIY called for a bumper, which he proposed to
dedicate to the health of a distinguished Scotch Nobleman who was
alike honourable in public and in private life--a constant supporter
of the principles which had been so ably inculcated that evening.
He alluded to the Puke of ArgylL They had only to look hack
to the page of history, and they would Lind that the family of
Argyll had been as it were the hereditary supporters of the rights
of the people, and of enlightened principles. That family at one
time established the religions rights of the country—at another
they maintained the rights of the people against the encroachments
of a despotic Sovereign. %Vint he now alluded to applied more
Iparticularly to the dark ages of our history, and shed a bright
ustre on the Aristocracy of Scotland. After some further remarks
his Lordship gave, " The health of his tirace the Duke of Argyll,
the representative of a House which hat done and suffered much
for the cause of civil and religious liberty in Scotland."
Mr. J. A. :HURRAY proposed " The health of Lord Archi-
bald Hamilton, the Chairman of last year, and success to the
CALM of Burgh Reform."
The Duke of HAMILTON! returned thanks for Lord Archibald.
Mr. Ginsoar CII•10 proposed the health of Mr. Brougham,
and the advancement of the Education of all Classes of the
People."
Mr. J. W. Ileottonam returned thanks.

Mr. J. P. •N T —Sir, on every occasion In which the people are
*Rambled to celebrate the memory of Mr. Fox, it seems impossible
that the name I have the honour to mention, shoald be forgotten—
the late lord Erskine. (Applause). Drunk in solemn silence.
The Cant; mu then gave, with a short preface, •• Sir James
Mackintosh."

Mr. Fe n ovens. of Raith, gave " The Croupier."
The CROUPIER returned thanks, and gave .` The Dukes of
Norfolk, Bedford, and Devonshire, and may they long cherish the
principles by which their families have been distinguished."
The CHAT emmt introduced, with a speech, which the time will
not permit us to report, the following tout—" The progress of
Liberal Sentiments among his Majesty s Ministers."
Mr. P. Billows proposed—" The Honourable James Aber.
eromby, and success to the efforts for procuring • real representa-
tion of the people of Edinburgh in Parliament"
The CHAIRMAN ruse to propose • toast. which it was impos-
sible to omit on an occasion like this, but which, he confessed, was
attended with some difficulty, as he could not express himself upon
it, without giving way to feelings that accorded but ill with the
present hour. He would give " Catholic Emancipation"—one of the
greatest objects of desire of that %inform:late, and, he might add,
oppressed nation, the people of Ireland. Ile believed all parties
were now agreed, that something effectual and consistent must be
done for Ireland, if its existence was to be kept alive, and the in-
tegrity and honour of the British Empire preserved. When the
odious political distinction of Catholic and Protestant should he
done away with, and when Government should give equal justice
to both, the time would then he that men of all pretensions and all
persuasions would unite themselves in aiding the civil power in the
dus administration of its affairs; and when all those illegal 118,406.
tins and prejudices had ceased to exist, Ireland would then be
found to abound in those virtues which all good men cherish and
admire. He WAS afraid that he had said more than enough, but he
had been anxious to explain the sentiments which led him to pro-
pose the presout toast. He hoped all would join him in wishing
early success to Catholic Emancipation.
Mr. Gartissaratts begged leave to give—. The President o;*
the United Statol, and rosy there be a ',pretty union of all tree
nations against the encroachments of tyranny." t M uch applause.)
The CitainMA PI proposed the health of'" Mr. Michael Angelo
Taylor," who returned thanks, and gave—" Mr. Cranston and the
Independence of the Scottish Bar."
151•rantattE returned thanks, and then gave the " Earl
of Roselyn."
The Earl of Roestsx returned thanks.
Mr. MoscatErr desired to propose a toast, on whirl; he felt he
might enlarge • little. It was not a little remarkable that when so
great a portion of Europe was In a profound peace, such a struggle
should nevertheless be going on between those whose object it was
to establish liberal principles of government on the one hand, and
the advocates of tyranny on the other. The eyes of men, however,
were more particularly turned to the affairs of Greece. That na-
tion had been, indeed, left to its own efforts by the Powers of Es-
rope, but in the unaided struggles against its oppressors, it had
coveud itself with glory. It yea true that our Ministers had not

acted up to the measure of these liberal principles which we had
expected horn them ; yet it was no small consolation to reflect that
the great body of the Ifritish nation, including persons of all ranks
and denotninations, had minced n universal feeling in farou: of the
Greek cause. It had been delightful to see the United 'itates of
America stretch forth their powerful arm to protect the rising
liberty of Greece, at a tune when that country was deserted by
those who might well have been expected to support her daunt..
He would now propose " The complete and lasting establishment
of the liberties of Greece."

The CHAT rt AN. after Some high encomiums an the public and
pritate merits of Mr. Joseph Ileintr. pmposed " Ilk health, and
success to his ell:,rk in reducing the n.:tinnal expenditure."
Mr. FARQUHARSON gave " The health of Mr. Sergeant
Lens, Mr. scarlett, Mr. Denman, and the Independence of the
English par." . _

Mr..llt•.allAY " Prosperity to the Independent States of
South America.'

The Duke of Ilsseivrow proposed, as an appropriate sequel to
the last toast, " The City of Glasgow, and the trade and interest
of the country." His (trace adverted to the flourishing state of
that city, and highly eulogised the activity, industry, and success
of her mercantile population.
The CI! A•RMA m—Gentlemen. eV it is now drawing late, I rather
imagine that it would be agreeable to the greater part of the tom.
pany that we should now clear the scene. There are a few more
LOUIS on the paper, and which, with yonr permission, I shall read
to yon ; and should any gentleman be very anxious to drink them,
he can take a separate glass for each, but I humbly refiner, that as
they are of a hetemyrneous nature, they be drunk at once. .1 think
they are seasoned with celebrity, and breathe a genuine,spirit of in-
dependence and original liberty; we stall make them very good
companions, and, as they arc the remaining toasts, we must uisposs
of them summarily.
The Rev. Sir H. Moncrieff Wellwood, Dart. and the Inde-
pende.tee of the Church of Scotland."
" Marquis of I.vinadown."
"!t I emory of Mr. hitbread."
" The Independent 31e.nbt•rs of the Merchant Company, and
the other Corporations of this City."
The eloquent Chairman then (half-past II p.m.) left the room,
and the whole of the company dispersed.