The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-02-21 00:00:00

THE BRITISH PRESS.

ulterior political designs. We gather much more in that
respect from his studious omission of all notice of the
Constitutional Charter, S;JICC he has ascended the throne.
The law of sacrilege was under discussion in the Cham-
ber of Peers on Wednesday and Thursday. The Moniteur
of Friday, with a supplement of one sheet, is filled with the
debates. An amendment was moved by the Count vs LA
BOUADONNAY A, to restrict the definition of sacrilege to an
actual profanation of the sacred vessels or consecrated
wafers, but it was not supported. Another amendment,
moved by the Marquis DE LALLY, for changing the
punishment of sacrilege to hard labour fir life, or a term
of years, was rejected by a majority of HO votes, against 101.
The Keeper of the Seals consented, in the KlNo's name, to
substitute the penalty of death merely, after the offender
has begged pardon, on his knees, before the church gates,
instead of the penalty of parricide.
[From the Etoile, dated Saturday.l
Pants, FEB. 18.
The Archbishop of Paris and the Bishop of Ilermopolis were
not pre,ent at the debate in„the Chamber of Peers on the law of
sacrilege.
The Bishop of Ilermopolis is confined to his bed by indispo-
sition.
The Attorney-Gcneral, in the Royal Tribunal of Paris, presented
yesterday morning to the tieneral Assembly of that Court a requi-
sition for the bringing in of the preliminary proceedings (rinetrue-
limo) in the cause relative to the contracts for the army in Spain.
The Court decided accordingly. Al. Dehaussy, Counsellor of the
Court, and Al. Vuillefroy, Senior of the Counsellors•Auditors,
were appointed Commissioners for the preliminary proceedings.
Ouvrard was interrogated yesterday at St. Pelagic, by M.
Briere de Lig,ny.
It is not true that M. de Jainville has been arrested, as a Journal
to-day affirms.
Count Lenoir Laroche, Peer of France, died yesterday at the
age of 75 years.
The celebrated Madame Krudener died on Christmas-day at
Karasubassr. in the Crimea. alter a very painful illness, which she
bore with truly Christian resignation.
FRENCH FE sr Da.—Pasts, FED. 18.—Five per Centa.opened at
10-ir. Sc. ; closed at IfiSt. ; Bank Stock, 1,990 f.; Rente de Naples,
Certif. Falconneta, 881. 30c.; Itente d'Espagne, 181; Royal
Spanish L0an,1823. 58 ; Exchange on London—one month,2sf.sc. ;
three ditto, 241. 904.--Courr Authebifigre, Feb. 18.

The German Papers, received yesterday, confirm the
previous intelligence that the Egyptian expedition has re-
tired into the harbour of Suds, and that the troops have
been landed in Candia, where IBRAHIM Pacua intends to
pass the winter. A detachment has been sent to the relief
of Coron, from which circumstance an unfounded inference
is drawn, that the internal dissensions among the Greeks
are not entirely suppressed. We know, by the flight of the
revolted Chiefs to the lonian Islands, that tranquillity must
hare been completely restored. Attempts are making, for
sinister purposes, to represent the Greek cause as not wear-
ing that aspect of final success which it did some time ago ;
but, in truth, it never looked so well nor presented a more
favourable augury of good fortune. The only defect that
could have endangered the independence of th is heroic people
is removed. The authority of the General Government is
firmly established, and faction is destroyed to its very roots.
What then have they to dread ? The declining Turkish
power, which they have beaten in four successive campaigns,
without any of the advantages they now possess, except the
unconquerable resolution to die or be free? The foul
apostate who calumniates them, with the Turkish bowstring
round his neck, atSm yrna, endeavours to console his infuriated
paymasters by railing against this brave Christian nation,
because they will not basely submit themselves to be exter-
minated by the desolator' of Scio and Ipsara. The viru-
lence of his abuse is the best criterion of their strength.
They answer him not but by deeds. They are pressing the
blockade of Petra', and, in all probability, before the fifth
campaign can open, if the divided and exhausted Divan can
make another effort, the whole Peninsula will be cleared
of the barbarians who have polluted it for the last four cen-
turies. By way of diversion, a rebellion is expected in Ser-
via, where the rapacity of the Turks is goading the
wretched inhabitants to insurrection.

It is curious to remark with what a sudden fit of forget-
fulness all the services rendered by the Marquis W 11.1.12-
to the best interests of Ireland have passed out of the
memory of Mr. O'Cosx Lt. and the rest of the Catholic
Leaderi. The anxiety which the Noble Marquis had
evinced from the first to direct his administration of Ireland
by the dictates of impartial justice, restored to the Catholic
mind that confidence which it had long ceased to feel, and
allayed those bitter feelings which had so long embroiled
the different counties, and kept them in a state of turbu-
lenc_ and insurrection. It may appear a very easy task to
administer justice ; but a slight practical acquaintance
with the state of parties in Ireland would soon convince
every one that, in that ill-fated kingdom, the discharge of
this duty is not quite so easy as it appears. The concilia-
tory system of the LORD LIEUTrNANT cost him 110 light
labour, while the measures by which he pursued it exposed
him to the cross-fire of the two factions, Catholic and Pro-
testant, each of which thought that ton much was done for
the other party, and too little for his own. Lord Wet Les-
Las, however, went fearlessly onward in the middle path,
indifferent to the hostile ranks, right and left, between
which he had to pass. The good effects of his perseverance
soon became manifest; the Catholics felt that, after a time,
their wrongs had excited real interest—that the Irish
Government was availing itself of the opportunity of re-
dressing them, whenever such opportunity presented itself
—that the Protestant monopoly of official appointments
was broken in upon—that a practical attention was from
time to time paid to the just claims of the Catholics, which
showed the real interest taken in their welfare. The
Leathers of the Association looked upward to Lord
We LsEst.ty as their Liberator; they ascribed the tranquil
and improved state of Ireland to the signal success obtained
over the adverse spirit of the Orange faction by the unequivo-
cal determination manifested by the Loan Lt EI:TENANT to
resist its oppressive and overwhelming ascendancy. But
no sooner did the Noble Marquis oppose himself to the
mischievous progress of the Catholic Association, than its
leaders turned short around, and conceiving themselves
strong enough to conduct their own cause, and formi-
dable enough to enforce their own claims, they began pub-
licly to deprecate what before they had so ardently praised.
They claimed an allowance of total drawback for whatever
they had paid in the way of tribute to his Lordship's
merits. They discovered on a sudden that he deserved
nothing even of commendation at their hands, for that all
the benefits which Ireland had received under his Excel-
lenny's Government issued from themselves ; that its tran-
quillity was of their bestowing ; and that the debt of gra-
titude, which they had so promptly paid was, in fact, a
payment by mistake, which they were entitled either to re-
cover hack, or to plead as a set-?fagainst the odium they
might in future heap upon his Administration. Their
spe, cites exhibit, in this respect, a curious contrast. We
shall select a few extracts from those which entrust us
with the secret of their consistency.

At the Catholic dinner in Cork, Monday, April 19, the
following toast was given :
" The Marquis Wellesley. As he came not to alter, but to ad-
minister the laws, may they be soon rendered cos:genial w his
LINEMIL AND ENLIGHTENED MIND!"
" Mr. O'Cowatt.i. said, he hat a communication to make
%Thick would give rut seriejaction. The Maiguia Wellesleybad

deputed Mt. Illackbume to go down to Fermanagh in order to elu-
cidate the facts of, and to come at the truth of the late disturbances
which took plane there. For this act of Me Noble Marquis the
coolly :, owed him much oratifircle ! It was an act of clemency
and ju,tice, and whatever may be the results of that inquiry, his
Excellency vs. certainly entided.to the thanks tithe stunciation!"
—ttirt oh, Wednesday, June 2, 1821.)
Seven months after this, Mr. O'CoN watt., finding:the con-
test for dominion growing pretty strong, began to claim
for the Catholic Association the merit of having tran-
quillized the country
If not disturbed," said he, " in our proceedings for the good
of the country, I know not what we may not hope from the efforts
of the Association, and from air Constituttonni exertions for this
beautiful country."--(Saturday, Jan. 8, 1825.)
And in a speech delivered on the same day, Me. FINN
affirmed that—
" The Association was the means of tranquillizing Ireland.
which was chiefly attributable to Mr. O'Connell. '
While the Association was canvassing for support, and
before it stood firmly on its legs, Mr. O'Co N N ELI. paid his
debt of justice to the Loan LIEUTENANT openly, and
without reluctance :

" Certainly," nys the Orator, " ro act of any Administration
has given such complete satisfaction, or has tended so mach
to establish ',oldie confidence, and create respect for the laws
la the minds of the Insh people, particularly the PEASANTRY,
as that of Marquis WI:I.LESLEY esndinl.t down Mr. Illickburne
to (Induct the Fermanagh inquiry."--tSpeech of O'Connell,
Wednesday, June 9, 1534.)
Many other eulogies were passed by Mr. O'CoxxLi.t. on
his EICKLLSNCY'S Administration ; his eloquence revelled
in the prospects that were opening to Ireland from the
steady attention paid to its real and true interests, and
his heart warmed not only with th. impressioa of the
benefits it had rcceivt d, but the perils it had escaped.

" Fortunately," said Mr. O'Connell about this period, " fortu.
nately at present. Ireland has a LORD LIEUTENANT, whose
own disponlion would prompt him to effect every thing 'welch and
to adopt every measure of salutary import to the country ; but
unhappily he undertook his Government, so fettered and so maim-
rled by the dominion of a portion of that faction which has so
long and an lamentably misgoverned Ireland. Taking a review
of the terrific and distracted state of Ireland at the period of the
.‘faccntis IFELLEst.e.w'e arrival in this country, I aver, that if
there had not been a change in the Administration in Ireland,
no man possessing the feelings of h.manity, or the love of his
country, amid contemplate coolly what might have been the dread-
re.ult!"--LO'Con nell's Speech in Liffey-street Chapel, Dublin,
on Friday, July 30, 1821.1

At an annual dinner of the Blancber's Town Patriotic
Society, near Dublin, there were 5,000 spectators in the
field. The health of the Noble Marquis WELLESLEY Was
given ; Mr. O'CoNNEt.t. rose and spoke at great length.
The following is but a brief epitome:—

" Mr. O'Coxx EL L WO!: an eloquent revletw of the public life of
his Excellency. In India, his wise and manly conduct confirmed
the British power. In Spam, he was the man who really upset the
great conqueror of nations. His manly and sagacious mind clearly
perceived, that noire; the feelings of the people could be enlisted
in the'cattse of Govertmtnt, that that Government would inevitably
fall before the power and the intellect %f Napoleon. He advised
the guarantee of a free Constitution—the peep:e rallied round it,
and Napoleon fell. If that Constitution was afterwards basely in.
vaded—if the patriots who so bravely defended their country—who
upheld the Government and cinched the invader—if those great
men met with no other reward than the dungeon or the scaffold—
no reproach on that head eottld revert tb Lord Wellesley ; the
glory of saving nations were justly his—the shame and dishonour
of violating Constitutions belonged to their Majesties of the Holy
Alliance. The Government of his Excellency, in Ireland, though
coerced by a powerful faction, who were hostile to the cause of the
people, had yet about it the marks of a just ant: popular Admiutr-
(ration. There was on evident disposition on the part of his Excel-
Govermnent to deal outjust ice purely and impartially. There
was no hostility to liberal opinions, there was no persecution of the
press. The underlings of Government were no longer perniittcci to run
riot on the pcopie. His Excellency, coerced as he win, had little op-
portunity of showing any marks of favour and encouragement to the
Injured party; but the Irish were willing to do justice to his
motives. They were so long accustomed to insult and oppression
that they willingly and sincerely applauded the Government, merely
because it abstained front doing ill. He (Mr. O'C.) was well in-
clined to believe that the Marquis iVellesley was disposed to act in
this country on those just, liberal, and statesmanlike views, which
he carried into effect everywhere else. He, whose policy had so
much improved and strengthened other countries could not be
insensible to the glory of noising his own—of raising her front a
state of wretchedness and ditision, to a state of prosperity and in-
dependence. Such watt the task which he hoped was reserved fur
his Excellency. The spirit of the times, after all, was favourable
to the cause of Ireland. To promote that cause—to improve her
condition--and to extend her liberties, he hoped, would be yet in
the power, as it was in the disposition, of an orator, a scholar. and
statesman, whose talents and attainments shed au much glory upon
his native country."

During last year the press of Ireland was loaded, day
after day, with the attestations of the Catholic leaders to
the favourable change in the aspect of affairs that was pro-
duced by the liberal system upon which the Government of
Ireland was conducted. Among a hundred samples we
will select the following from Mr. Oto NN E Les speech,
at the Royal Arcade, in October last :
" Another ground of hope the Roman Catholic had 4 was founded
on the present administration of Ireland. fie admired the noble prin.
ciples and conduct of the Marquis AvrxtEst.ry, who had often
used his able pen and eloquent tongue in the Catholic cause ; he
would, he doubted not, hare been likewise ready to employ his
sword in order to promote the cause of liberality. In the House of
Commons and the House of Lords he had toted for Roman Catho-
Ilea. His great talents had been nobly employed in India, in
Spain, and in aid of the financial system of England. and it was
their duty to assist him in carrying on the weight of Government in
Ireland, by infusing into the minds of all the people of the
country the spirit of confidence they felt in his councils and in his
integrity. (Applause.) It was to them also no small consolation,
that the office of Attorney-General was exercised by Mr.
PLIINNETT, a decided advocate of the Catholic claims. The only
shade cast over his Administration, came from the black spot of the