The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-01-31 00:00:00

TIIE BRITISH PRESS.

I has resolved to continue the system of military colonisation
established by his predecessor. The official report lately
published represented the military colonies as a complete
failure as to the pitrpcises fur which they were formed,
while they were equally burdensome to the people and
offensive to the nobles. Yet it seems the, system is to re-
main. How are we to account for this extraordinary
inconsisteney?

The distressed state of the manufacturing population
has begun, at length, to excite the attention of all think-
ing men. The condition of the Silk Trade naturally
takes the lead ; and it does so from the striking example
which it affords of a thriving manufacture reduced, by a
sudden chaMe of policy, to a state of confusion and ruin.
The time ►s come when we trust pause and look about us,
and when our Statesmen—even the most sanguine as to the
results of the new system—will be compelled to ask them-
selves, Can that measure be salutary which is productive
of such results? In the concerns of commerce, as in those
of common life, the question is not what is speculatively
best, hut what can be put in practice with most advantage,
and with least risk to those interests which we intend
to benefit. That there should be a freitloni of inter-
course between all the kingdoms of the earth is no
doubt most desirable, if we look no further ti►an the
abstract pmposition. But you must first place all these
kingdotns in the same relative situation before you can
reckon upon the benefit which, taken separately, they
might derive from it. If all nations were to begin the
world anew, then would freedom of trade be the only true
policy, inasmuch as it would promote the Interes:s of each
and the advancement of all. But here lies the error. We
argue es if this were actually the case, and as if Great Bri-
tain might open her ports to all foreign goods with the
same advantage to her agriculturists, manufacturers, and
artificers, as she might hare done two hundred years ago.
This manifestly cannot be: to attempt it is sheer infatua-
tion. Look at the magnitude of the calamities that it is
bringing upon the manufacturing classes. We are dislo-
cating the whole system of commerce, arid the Revenue is
suffering in all its branches. Ifow are we to stem the tor-
rent of these evil consequences? Our answer is short—by
departine from the system which has produced 'them.
The Meeting convened at the Mansion House for the
purpose of relieving the distress of the Spitalfield weavers
does credit to the benevolence of these by whom it was at-
tended. But can we, tiler all, help casting back our
minds to the cause of that distress which originated this
Meeting ? Is it not painful to reflect that the earnest ap-
peal they made to the humanity of the people is made for
the sole purpose of relieving the misery produced by a
measure of legislation ? Laws for the regulation of trade
must be tried by the only test by which they are triable: the
actual pod they produce towards the trade they profess to
benefit. By this test they must stand or fall. If the im-
proved principles of commerce which the political Econo-
mists have proinulg,ated for the guidance and government of
the commercial world, are not fitted to the order of things
which they are prescribed to regulate, the result must, and
will, be ruinous. We are not in condition to try experi-
ments. We have an extensive commerce, the prosperity of
which we must uphold—we have a heavy public debt,
for the interest of which we must provide. These are both
of then. serious objects to look to—we cannot calculate for
either by DE Memel upon Chances.
We most sincerely wish well to the subscription entered
into for the weavers of Spitalfields. We are gratified to
see the Bishop of Curve R take so conspicuous a lead in
promoting it. His seal to mitigate hums misery; *beaver
he finds it, is as honourable in itself as it is useful in the
example. But after all—and we say it with painful con-
viction—the amount of the subscription, however liberal it
may be, cannot grapple with the wretchedness it is meant
to relieve. The ruined weavers are too numerous, and the
cause which has deprived them of bread is too deep and
lasting, to look for any abiding relief from public charity.
In saying this, we have no wish to stay the hand of hu-
manity. God forbi4 I We are only anxious lest the desti-
tute objects of this almsgiving should suffer by the atten-
tion of the public, and of Parliament, being withdrawn by
it from the real cows of their distress ; and lest, when this
fund of benevolome shall be exhausted—as it soon must
be—their amides shusdd be left without remedy.

A (finds, of an extraordinary and revolting nature was
permitted to take place yesterday at the City of London
Tavern. CaaULa and a number of his associates met to
celebrate the birth-day of the infidel PAINE ! We have
devoted some spice to the orgies of this party, in order
that the public may know from their own lips what their
designs are. The principal performer of the evening was a
man who calk; himself" The Rev.lto a ear TAT Lo ft,"and is
the Secretary of a debating society instituted for the purpose
of disseminating the doctrines of atheism, and attended,
it appears by his statement last night, chiefly by women.
Besides the " orations" of this " Reverend Gentleman,"
the company were amused with volunteer songs in praise
of the French revolution and the levelling principles of
Roacar OWEN. Cskitt.E, who was in the Chair, said
little. Ile regretted the absence of the " female repub-
licans," who it was originally intended should have graced
the table with their presence. •I'"o notice was taken of
CORNETT, who is now, we suppose, too good a Catholic to
show his face at such a festival, nor was a word uttered
respecting PAINIeb bones.

CITY, I*)WD►Y EVENING.
This was a holytlay at the Batik, and the gates of the
royal Exchange were closed until twelve o'clock.

&palls arinineleestlatilm of several additional failures.
—By letters from Leith received this morning, the distress
there is very great. A house of the first respectability had
suspended shell payments—one of the firm a Manager of
the National Rank. This, with other gloomy rep:ills, had
the effect of lowering Consols from fin!!. to SOK at which
quotation they bave remained steady for some time, but
with scarcely any thing doing. Exchequer Bills were
quoted at 2s.

An express from Paris brings the price of the Rentes on
Saturday. The 5 per Cents. were 98f. 80c., and 3 per
Cents. 67f. 60c.

In the foreign market Greek stock is the favourite sub-
ject for speculation ; the commencing prior was 17h, ad-
vanced to 19 ; the concluding quotation was ISI. Russian
83. In South American Stocks the fluctuation has been
trivial. Colombian 547 to 597. Mexican 6 per Cents.
GO to 074. Brazil 03 to Gt. Peruvian 42.

Shares are still without attraction ; Anglo Mexican were
selling at 2 ; Neff 'United, 41, 51 premiuni ; Pasco Peru-
Vital Shares are 2to discount ; British Iron Company,
to to I I discount ; the Rock Salt Shares have reached vi
premium; they have been steadily advancing for several
days. _ _

Ex nA Nt rs.—lfamburgls, Jan. 24.—London 33 10,
Tivo Us. 35 7. I'eien.hurgh, Jan. 10.—London 10. Leip..
tic, Jan. 20.—London, three months 6 17. Berlin, Jan.
21.--London, three inonthi*6 .51q* •