The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1818-01-16 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF TIIE BRITISH PRESS.

SIR—In common with many of your Readers, 1
have attentively perused the Report of the Select
Committee of the I-louse of Commons on the lin-
portant subject of the Poor Laws, and although
not so conclusive and complete us might be wished,
still the Report contains much valuable information,
and ninny useful hints, immediately applicable to
the existing system, and evidently teudiug towards
its amelioration.

To enter into a detail of the respective merits of
the several remedies proposed to erect and check
the acknowledged growing evil, would much exceed
the limits of a Letter, and 1 shall therefore, at pie-
sent confine myself to the consideration of nth,
winch appiears to toe well adapted to accomplish.
many good purposes, and to correct many grots
abuses.

The Committee have, among other plans, sug-
gested the expedient", of appointing permanent
Overseers, whose accounts shall be periodically
audited ; velitied by oath before u Magistrate, slid
published fur the inspection of the parishioners.
1 give the Committee due credit for giving publi-
city to this proposition; but 1 am afraid that
must dispute their claim to its origin, as two pub-
fictitious are now berme me, the first printed in 1793,
and the second in 1815, from which the following,
extracts will prove that the same idea has long
existed :--

4' Of the various offices which the law imposts
upon particular individual; for the bentfit of ;ncirty,
there are none perhaps more important, both to the
individuals who fill them, and to the community
at large, than the offices of Churchwarden and
Overseer.

• It is important to the community, that the in-
terests of religion and the regulation of the poor
should be promoted and preserved ; but it is more
itnpurtant to the individuals whom the law appoints
fur these purposes, that they should diechaige ttit-ir
respective duties not only conscientiously, us the
law directs, hut *0 115 their own private piopertlea
I.lloilld not be injured by the various, and, in some
cases, heavy penalties, which are inflicted upon the
breach ur neglect of these public duties.
• The sphere of life, however, in which the
persons who generally till these offices are engaged.
prevents thew from obtaiiiing any other knowledge
of their legal duties, than that %Mull fallacious tra-
dition is capable of affording; aiiil they frequently
eutinuit errors, which a ceintin knowledge of the
law ou the subject of their employment, would
enable them to avoid."

The extract from the later pub:ieation, though
more brief, is not less to the pulut.

•• The persons groerally appointed Overseers ale,
front tht ir situations in life, wholly unacquainted
with parish matters on their first entrance into that
important oßirc ; and from their vaistiiming only
one year, the little knowledge they audits in that
short period is unavailable."
No man acquainted with the nature of parish
offices will controvert the truth and otight of the
foregoing observations ; but at the present junciter‘ ,
wheat the subject of the Poor Laws 16 under the
consideration of the Legislature, and the iiprect.-
dented increase and magnitude of th,• I tut, a
interests every wan 11/ England, it Incomes ti,e
duty of every well-wisher to 111$ country to publish
such information as he may have derived from at.
tuation, observation, and experience.
In most parishes, but more especially in and near
the metropolis, the station of Overseer is filled
either by independent gentlemen, ur by tradesums
of small incomes, annually elected.
%%lien a man of the former class happens to be
Overseer, the iiiterests of the poor, and of the pa-
rishioners at hinge, are secured against the effects of
peculettioo, fraud, sad chicanery; but, ou tkie

-..-ir

LON I)ON,

FRIDAY. JANUARY 16, 18111.

Ili the confusion that, generally speaking, en-
velopes the affairs of South America, we may time-
'Moony catch a glimpse of the reality, by observ-
ing the public acts of one of the parties. A few
days since we published all article extracted from •
French Paper, noticing the commencement of cer-
tain negociations at the desire of Spain, that have
for their object a reconciliation betwecu that Power
and her Trana.Ai Idiotic Colonies. The mediators are
supposed to beGreat Britain and Russia, who are also
to guarantee the observance of the compact. Such
a proceeding orrginating on the part of Spain, can-
not be regarded in ally other light than an acknow-
ledgment of weakneu, fur itoiliitig short of the most
urgent necessity could induce the ',resent Govern-
ment of that country to concede one principle in
favour of liberality and justice to the Colonies.
The capture of NINA, and the death of Moamar)
(the exhibition of whose mangled head at Quere-
taro is, with a disgusting attempt at humour, ob-
served by The Courier to be '1 a pretty convincing
proof of his fate"), cannot, in the present state of
the earliest, be supposed to exercise any sensible
effect on the result. 'film men, it most be ad-
mitted, were eminently qualified fur taking an so-
live part in such a quarrel, but courage and acti-
vity are the qualities principally required to form
such characters, and the nature and coutinuance
of the conflict will produce them in abuudatice.
For every Patriot that falls, uuother can be sup-
plied almost immediately ; but it requires a lapse
of time, and, what is more severely felt at present
by Spain, it also requires considerable expense to
maintain the Royal army in effective strength. The
Spaniards, from their ►uperior skill and discipline,
may be expected to brave, with e%eti inferior num-
bers, the ill-orgionised bands of guerillas in regular
battle, and may linger out a tedious time within
the walls of towns and fortresses ; from the want of
union, too, between the Patriots of the several pro.
since*. the Royalists may continue to hold the up-
per hand in certain districts, but if the war be still
protracted, they must eventually be wasted away,
for even the immutable ordinances of nature are ar-
rayed in opposition to their success.

With respect to the probable imme of the pro-
posed mediation, we sitiverely hope it may not lie
accepted by the Patriots of South Ansetica ; be-
cause, if they niece again submit to the bridle. no
Powers of Europe could or would guarantee them
from the cruel vengeance of their master.. There
is only one way by which Spain can still hope to
de►ive any advantage from her revolted Colonies in
Atutrica.—and that i., by grunting them their *mile.

, % ‘ •

peutlence with a good grace, •ud obtaining in re-
compense a favourable commercial treaty, with a
species of federative alliance. Sheiould thus con-
vert a bitter enemy into • sincere and powerful
whose hereditary attachinent must revive on
so amicable a close to the contest, and who,4' means
of evincing that attachment must be rapidly and
uniformly progressive.

We have received Paris Papers of Saturday and
Sunday last. No busbies* of public interest has
been transacted in die Legislative Chambers since
the preceding arrivals. The Five lo,r Cents. were
65 r. 70 c.—Bank Actions, 1,505 1.

The Saa of bast night says, " The treatment
which the English receive in every part of France,
is in the highest degree insulting and offensive, nor
are our fair countrywomen exempt from the brutal
attack of de,renerate Frenchmen. They even rplt
at female English travellers on the roads, and in the
French metropolis make no scruple of outraging
the feelinga of English visitors, who, apprehensive of
exposing themselves to some difficulty and danger,
if they were to manifest an open resentment, quietly
submit, except ripoia very particular occasions."—
The Sum then proceeds to *attribute this temper of
the French populace to the savage influence of the
Revolution, and thence argues against the shallow
policy that would have the army of occupation
withdrawn from France. Poor, simple Sea / Bru-
talized habits, produced by the Revolution, would
chew themselves alike to all nations. The Prue.
sians, the Russians, every other foreign visitor,
would suffer in Paris equally with the English.
If England be hated in Paris more than any other
nation, it is because she is considered the principal
agent in defeating the purpose of that Revolution,
and iestoring a Family to the Throne, which re-
quires the presence of a foreign array to retain it
there.

The Court of King's Beach was yesterday oc-
cupied with the trial of actions to recover com-
pensation fur the injury sustained by individuals in
the city in the riot of the 2d December, which
has been made such en influential circumstance in
the policy of Ministers for the last twelve months.
A full report of these trials is given in our subse-
quent columns.

We have more than once noticed di« vulgar abuse
bestowed by one of the Treasury Journals 1111011
Mr. Dime's subscription. The assailaut has been
generally considered the same person who lately
abus, d the late Bishop of LAPIDAFF. for not pin.
slug his faith upon the sleeve of 6' the ancient
fathers," the enlightened divines of the good old
times. This, however, is a mistake. The calum-
niator of Mr. IIuNE and his subscription is either
the renowned Mother Cole, or a favourite disciple
of her school ; and his religions ideas, it is pre-
sumed, have received no little point and foolish
from close attention to the character of nnctur
Cantwell, in the Hypocrite, now in the course
of performance at Drury-Line Theatre. It may
not be out of place to add, that three several
sums have been transmitted to Mr. HoNE'S sub-
scription in the names of three several persons,
who have disavowed them —and this is, not without
cause. presumed to have been a trick of his adver-
saries with a view to defeat his just expectation/.

REPIMENTATIoN or DUGUAIL—vu Sunday
evening, MICHAECA NOEL° TATI.OSI. Esq. arrived
in Durhaen, when a few of his old biro& (freemen)
availed themselves of the opportunity of oinii„g
upon him privately, and soliciting I tu come
forward as a candidate to rrpreseot that city at the
approaching General Election. Ile unequivocally
expressed his determination to obey their call—a
requisition was immediately drawn out, to which
her of signatures were attached, that lie
should meet them at the Town-hall, on Tues-
day next, to take the subject; into considera-
tion. It is expected by the remelt that the city
will be canvassed immediately. Thus there will lie
five candidates to contest the city of Durham for
two seats ; and from all oar former experience of the
spirit of the freemen, we may fairly anticipate the
emancipation of that city from Month rial thraldom.
ELEcTIONEERINO.—Extract of a letter from
Grimsby, dated January 10:—" Ass s*direct can.
Valle took place here on Almillay last by a Mr.
NICIOnsON. for J. N. I...MAKI:ILLY, tu be-
come a Representative for this borough at the next
election. What success was met with is hard In
state—the freemen here have sin great opinion of
doing thing• by proxy.— A Afr. Deril once suntde
his appearance in this borough on electioneering
ground., and we were satisfied;—but we do not
understand proryisni—it won't do; it will not
give satisfaction—nothing less than the
roan bim-
self—it must be so—the general cry is, ZACHLUS
must come down.—As a rejoinder or supple-
ment to the above account, the freemen through.
out, and widows of foremen also, were yesterday
presented with half a clialdron of coals each from
—mum! The coals are pronounced good! Thus
are we nourished and cherished—nor week with
roast beef, another aids coals—and probably the
next we shall have something wherewith to wet our
whistles.—Thus we live, and live too according to
the good old hospitahle saying, "like Pelham"—
to • •lude, Hogue' had his foilloseee—thris why
mayn't I ? Here it is thrum.—Public opinion yei-
ierdny, oil electioneering stilts, hail got a canister
tied to its tail, and was whisking aliout the town
like a dog in a fair; it will sery Orally to be seen
which way it ran, through the channels of every
street in the borough, Simi arc ponied by Ilsr-
ninny, also always plays the first fiddle. 'Die fa-
vourite air which balutril and tickled the Lass of
every fireman was, !hut of—" (Jeer the water to
Clarke ."

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WINDSOR. JAN. 15.

Yesterday her MAJESTY and Princess ELIZA.
BETH. with their usual attendant,, took an airing
in a coach and tour thron4h Slough :111d Midget.
In the evviiing the QUALN had a .elect pally at
the Castle.

This worsting her MAJESTY and Princess ELI.
Z AVE 111 lode nut in a coach and four up the Loug
%Valk into Wiodsor Great Park.

11/?/G/ITO,V, JAN. 13.

The weather to-dav has been damp und I,qually
throughout. The Prince Regent has taken his
usual equeetrian exticiets in the
The Duke of Clarence has extended Ills walks to
the Sseyue and Cliff Paradei,. The Royal Party
to-day ron%isteel of—
The Prince Regent, the Duke of Cl.trriire, the Lord
Steward, the Lord Chamberlain, the Marquis of Headfort,
the Right Hon. the Private Secretary, Lau d. Cal Iton, Arran,
W. Gordon, arid Stewart ; the Foreign Ministers, Cutout
Limn, Count Meinsier, General Count Csariiuski, and his
Aidr•tk•-Catap, Prince Vur )))) t ; the Swedish Charge
d'Affaires, Baron Styrileld ; Sir B". Nagle, Sir W. Keppel,
Colour' Thornton, the Rev. F. W. Blosnbercand the Bishop
of Exeter.

The hand are now • inpinyerl after dinner.—The
General It Count Czarow.ki, and Prince Voro-
nichtbki, take leave of the Prince Regent after
dinner, and depart fur London to-night.

On Tuesday evening the Duke of SusssA bud
a select thirty at Kensington Palace. The Duke
of CUSIBERLAN D was among those present.
Yesterday being the Duke of GLOCCEPTER'S
birth-day. the same was observed by his Royal
Sister, the Princess SortitA, in Curzon-street,
Nlay-fair, in the t atE 'nictitate manner, by
having a party to commemorate the day, at which
the Royal Duke, her brother, was present. On
account of she net and damp state of the weather,
the Duchess diet mint leave Gloucester House,
having caught a slight cold in travelling to Lou-
dun from Bagthot, on ‘Veditenday.
The Emil of .1 nits :s has left Brighton for his seat,
Bognor, Sussex.
Lord and Lady Dor.r.a N D left Holland-house
yesterday mooting for Caplitobury Park, on a visit to
the Earl and Colludes:, of Esqcx. for a few days, on
their way to the Duke and Duchess of BEDFORD'S
sent. Woohurn Abbey.

The gaoler who let MA BREUIr. reca pc has been
put into his own prison. Ile now feels Isinisell quite
at home.

The Duke anti Ditioies% of BrnFont) left town
yesterday fur their seat, Wooburn Milky, Bedford-
shire.

Lord and Lady CASTY., !MACH arrivtil yr striday
evening ut their house w St..lataies's.stitiare, from
Lord SUFFILLD's seat in Nugivik.

Lord and Lady Ft/LIMO:4E are returned to their
seat in Berk., knot the Earl of ILtutioa's seat,
Longford ensile, Wilts.
The Right Hon. CHARLES and Mrs. I.*Nu left
town yesterday, for their .rat, Bromley-hill.
The Marquis of Ituritl sGIIAM, we are sorry to
learn, is cositiord with a severe fit of the 'gout,. at
his seat, Avingt ..... Haws.
Lord LANGFORD 141 how yesterday, fur his seat,
Engletielil-greett, Surrey.
Lady ELIZABETH LOWTHER is strived at her
father's, the Earl of LONsDA LE'S house, iu Chin les—
street, Berkelry-square, 1 a tour.
Sir IlEw mid Lady DALRYMPLE Ilasiturorr are
expected home ris a few days from Mari...
A LENA r 4 Inn BRODIE. E•ti. (father to the Mar-
chioness of I lUNTLY), died yesterday rimming, at
his hou-e in South A radley-stree Grosvenor-square.
By the death of General Efolrn his Lady be-
comes u secood time a widow. Iler first tin,lorrid
was Sir E. DENNY. au Irish 'tinnier. Ile teas
killed iii a duel.

Lord ST I,:WART arrived yesterday at Lit Louise in
Grafton-st rect. Bood-stret t. from the I '.rt I lion,
Brighton.
Bow A VA ItTE formerly called the English a nation
of shopkeepers ; he must now acknowledge that we
have coon/a-acted all his projects.

Mr. and PAT►:RSON and Alms CATON, are
•moug the ftoshiuttable ribiton at Mr. CORE.* sear,
iss Norfolk.

Mr. and Mrs. BACON at►d family 14t the St.
lintel, Jeronyn-street, yesterday, fur their
seat, Farnham,
Arrivals ytstettliy at Cook's Hotel, Albemarle.
street Jr.A and Mrs. (hams and Lindy,
from their rest in Kent ; Alr. and Mrs. Ai ACDOU
GRANT and land'', fr their seat in Scoilmt.—
Sir LEONARD 1101. M Ell, Bart. left ditto, fur the
Isle of Wight.
Departures from Fenton's lintel, St. Jerne,.'--
street ; —Copt. HALE, fur Catobray; Mr. and
Fouhuis, for Bath.

On Friday the Earl of Gi.Astiow was installed
Lord Rector of that University.
'Else Senate of the University of Glasgow loss
conferred the degree of Doctor in Divinity on the
Rev. GYM. MA N utt., 51iiiister of the Scot. Church,
London-wall, I on the Rev. H. 3lnstut.nsiv, of
Cannon. Dr. M. who has grtinly distinguished
hisuvelf us sit Oriental scholar. acted ss interpreter
to Lord AmicooT its the late Embassy to Chums.

'fhe fifth assniserpary of the Soeitty of Antiqua-
ries of Newcastle-upot.-Tyne, was holden on Wetl-
nest'sy at the Castle. in that town, whcu
his Grace the Duke of NORTHUMBERLA N D tt.s*
siouligiftled 'introit of the Soviets, which ofEce awl
var.mt by the death of the late Duke.

I