The National Register.
London, England, 1817-04-28 00:00:00

SEDITIOUS MEETING BILL.

Last week two Geo:kitten appeared by appointment her:ire
the Nlagistrates of L•estuci, iii the Old Bailey, as Officers of 4
Deontillx Society, and pr oilseed the ho•4iss lit' ream's, list
of irlersioers, ate. tOßt.flo.., tvilh a Pete, i. l'or a licence. The
,liezt,trates were the Lora Mayor, N ith Uctertuen Mit J. Per-
i our, Sir tV. .iiit J. J. 'timer k'ctition pray•
ed for a licence "}'or tilt inycati4.liims & dismission of philo-
sopltival, literary, histotical, and politival subjects, as heie-
:,.tore," at the rooms of the Society. Sank' question arising
'upon word political, the tule,wilig di,:ete••iirm took place :
Lure 11.1 v ot--'.Vhat class of political questions fill MS the
sitaj.l:lll ui your delta te4.?— Petitioners. Polities generally,
lily Lord, smiler the testrietions spec itied iu the hook in caul
lmrdship's liana'., soul stihjeet to the approval or tejection cif
a mocti. W• 4 e ready to produce our hooks, and give any
int••roistian that may be typified.
Aide' Smith —This is too general : it would ad Ira
ttrilinii:ed ion, nod Open a dour to deb'. tea oft Ire ni .mi
me lope, teutleney. Iteleiellee to our List of
:ilesulters an 1 prii.ted Rules will remove all fear of otiose.
his ..uelety has esisted more than 19 years, with unuuquatli
e.l att. acter, dwl via, ijc,a,ed I)'. the ..cLis' rates of '..1 it to.,
Awrsleti, under toe former Act, with nu hesitate-u, and a .1!.
sio,lo throat w:iether it came wiAtin the ps 0 vlf.laiis of 11..
St.ir,tc, • I%'l persons are eligibte bat Members of Ca. U 41.
~(I,ifirb or tOiss of Court; and many of i Aleinners
tern, and are, Mcmucts iikewice of the duos' of Lotoromis.
L A tlayor-111',1101.4, it is is school of o..itory Peti. Vet, toy Lord. • Plicate sivitedtiuu was tuck to the

NPR IL 28.

I..tw (hikers •of the Crown for esemptien ; but wr were
referred to the Sessions, as a matter of course. Your Wor.
ships will observe, that a license will trot protect us from the
eonmey elute of its alin-e. (har Met.ting will dill be ()poi to
your visitation, the license etoeslib• et dkvretion, and our-
selve4 personally liable for any breach of (mkt, morality, or
propriety iu our denntes.
Alitormsn Sinitli-1 think smith a license would be highly
objectionable.
Lord Mayer-1 s^e no objection.
Aide' titan Smith--! do. If a license be granted, shin is
the use of the Act?

Lord Mayor--The Society has complied with its provision.,
and satisfied its object, by furnishieg notice of its place of
meeting, the names of its Members, aml its rides and roolaa..
Lions. Before this application, we miglit be, and per natal
were, i.moratit of its exist...nee altogether; bid now it is
brmight immediately tinder the ecc and controul of the Ma.
gistracy, %%Well is all that the Art intended.
Alderman Smith—But this will allow debates upon the po.
Mies of the day,
Lord Mayor—And why not? To refuse a license to these
Gentlemen, would lit depriving them of a privilrL,,e rijoj et'
by err ry tavern meeting or public dinner. It camiut lir that
the Legislature means to prevent all political dismission, but
merely to plareit under regulation.
Sir J. Pening—Usidoubtedlv ; it never was intended to pnt
down all poiitii al discussion. •I
Mink the Society cutitlirl to
a license, and am ri ail), to sign.
.1111er -ran Smitli—l. object roost strongly ; the purpose of
the it is to put down all political debate whatever.
Si, W. Dinnville concurred in this sentiment.
Lerch Mayor—lmpossible! This is a very serious question,
and we must act deliberately in tl^ face of the country. I
think it my duty as a Magistrate to sign this !;reuse, and
should be ashamed of myself if I refused it. I am ready to
sign it.
Alderman Smith.—l em not ashamed. I will never sire
such a license. Will the Geotleilien concent to strike out the
wurd.political?7l'rtioners. We cannot consent to that.

Alderman Smith—Will y.in take it license on condition to
furnish the Magistrates before hand with the questions fo:
debate, subject to their approval? I have no objection to
grout a license on those conditions.—Petitioners. We cannot
take a license on such terms. The Society is open to your
visitation and coats ;if the Magistrates doubt our discre-
tion, conduct, or piiiiciples, they may route in person, or
.end an inspector. We shall refuse a license so shackled.

Aitlerumur Smith—That is quite enough fur ow. Do you
horn that?

Lord Nlayor—l think we have no right to impose such
(•iludrt i (MS, NMI see no iteco.ion fur them.

Aiderman Smith—Toe flippant answer of this Gentleman
yiirtiqiei inc.—Petitioner. S-r, lam borry yon so mneli mistake
.ny waning. We Caine a, Officers of the Society, nod have
riailiority to compioinise its rules, or bind it to such it.. 11113
as toil have offered.
Ala.% or —Certainh you are not authorised. I conceive
it my duty to grant your application, and will sigit it name-
i.t• els .
Sir J. Pecrinz concurred.

Alikroteo f);:instlle and Smith Mrciiimicily er posed t but
the Petitioner ekpnessutl themselves sati.tird, as the Act
required the signatiii eof hlo 11r.gistretes uniy. Here, how -
evei • rile Clerk interposed, on the groond that the act or two
would he the act of the Seisions; and as there *sal. an I finality
or soar,., the license collie' not pass.. Tate Glojee.iou finally
pri•%aole,lover the contrary interpretation of the Petitioners.
The license wait accordingly declared to Ire rclostql ; and
the Petitioners departed, ductal ing they knew tishat worse
to pursue.

POLICE.

'BOW-STREET.

EXTR itownt,r AR CASE.—Thnrsday a man tailing himself
Henry Hiram Finlayson wad brought before Richard Birnie,
Esq. the sitting 'Magistrate. by Thomas Taylor, a constable
belonging to the parish of St. ticorge'•,, Bloomsbury, charged
with tinder peculiar Si: Robert
Dallas, one or the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas.
Soon after the arrival of the poi:oilier at the office, Alt. Justice
Dallas followed, and stated, that at 44011111. a past oneo'clvck
on Thursday, he was walking thruatitii Greek sit eet, Soho, when
the prisoner twilit. My Collie up to him, and addressing hint,
...aid, I lielicyr Sir, you :iri• 11w n tmeaiting the Pt ince
Recent), to a Inch the Judge relined, by ilesiritig hi it to oo
about his business. l'ke Iveivotter peured to attend to his
admonition, an-I kept at a Greater distallet. behind biro, and
the Judge did Not expect to he anuoyekt with him any more;
however, when he got into %oho squi.ire, on looking beck he
saw the prisoner close behind min anul fallowing him, the
Judge then %dike-, a little slower, :1.1 prisoner advanced
Hose to Wm, as tf for the purpose of airacking him ; when
the Judge armed nimself with lbs umbrella, with whirl) he
was walking, and said to the to isoner, " Yon scoundrel, if
you advance nearer to me, I will knock you down.."rhis
threat had the desired effect, he drew hack a few paces.
'bite Judge then proceeded Ott his way 11•111IC into Bedford-
,llllllle ; and just as he enteral the stplare, he w is induced
from curiosity to look back, when, to his gr...tt surprise, he
agaiti saw the prisoner CiOMP behiod him, and fellov bug hint.
The pri.,tier then hail in his hand elect: of woad, trench
appeared to have a point to it, and the pointed tot was pte.
spitted I;ivr was him. cotiduct, altogether, drummed
the J-age to have hint secured as soon as 4i: upporttititty of-
fered. Ott his arrival at his own home in the sloare, the
prisoner lead the no laeity to fold)* him into his passage.
The Judge then seited him by the collar, and a rested Burn
loin the tn•triumu lit with whit It he was atm, d, his
Lord-
ship • roll need to the Mali rite; sextants
to thew .o.e.tet't assist.iitee, and prisoner was propery
....cored. The Judge then demanded to know of the prisoner
for what porno. e he had followed liim. which interittga-
ory the prison .1 reptif•tl to Ilk 1 e,f()%iii.i. lii.ll he had Ire.
.44enily applied tor admittance to Cat Itt.ii had al.
WAY., been refused. rte worthy Judge nen as. el him it
:w Ael ew 111110. He r plied, he 1.1. Ste Rouert Dailas th•m
desired him to say if eke knew wait he etas, and the prisuier
said lie was his fbli. r •

He was detailte.l to custody by ilte s..ry is ill a constable
was sent for to h. in bon tit the office.
fhr acconlit the nave hints, o the Maeistrste
' that he wAs it embpoi . t hat htFrest,le, at
~s 21, Clo street, Spituttit.cs, mete lie has lives for some

!inc.
WiJorvlay,llio Smugglers in co,tody, on a charge: of
. roiacet ne.l kilt filii k ol et•e, heal
the 1110 r and si% of for , of Ili.'
thy e%,•,.1: of the Itlth iweant, on lilt coed of
Verkihire, itudei wcut a tong riv Ate

APRIL 28.

ON ME INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE ON
NANAERS.

The influence of climate has a peculiar effect upon
the mind, and when fostered by religions education, is
productive of the greatest blessing. If we would inquire
how the people of Switzerland have retained so much
,purity, religion, and steadiness of character, in the
midst of the enfe.ibled states of Germany, France, and
Italy, it is to this natural cause that their national
character is under Providence to be ascribed. When
they taste the pure breeze of their mountains, anti
contemplate the stalling yanks below, the abodes of
peace and rural industry, their hearts are softened;
when the picturesque scenery is contrasted with the
stupendous glaciers that surround it, now covered with
stormy clouds, now glittering with snow, their souls
cannot but be purified and exalted. Can the peasant '
frequentl: hear the tempest approach, without feeling
emotions of piety, and the strong impulses of virtuous
resolve! can he see the lightning flash beneath his feet
without being sulxlued by humility and devotion? can
he hear the murmuring of the thunder, and not be
gradually led to think seriously and innocently? can lie
be awal.ened from his sleep by the winds when they
break loose from the depths of the hills, anti the rocks
burst into masses which threaten to destroy his flocks
and his dwelling, anti not attach himself closer to his
kindred, his children, and his friends? and does not
England also reftnet similar scenes of beauty and sub-
limity? Surrounded by the ocean, fortified by rocks,
intersected by mountains and rivers, adorned with
valleys and lakes, we are awakened at every step to
a sense of the Deity, and drawn as it were, insensibly
from the fashion of the world, to the simplicity of truth
and nature. We feel the tenderest emotions of gratitude
and joy, when we witness the verdure of our spring ex-
ceeding that of any other country; we listen with
sentiments of religious awe to the sweeping blast that
drives the surges to our shores: and we never contem-
plate that great element the sea, without feeling our
own littleness, anti being compelled to think of Omni-
potence and eternity.
We envy not the wanner ctime that lies
la ten degrees or more indulgent skis :
On forcieo ntevintains, may the sun refine
The grape's soft juice, and mellow it to wine;
With citron groves adorn a distant soil,
And the fat olive swell with floods of oil:
To which we may add in the language of Mrs. Barbaulti,

_
Man is the nobler growth our realms supply,
And souls are ripened in our northlrn sky.
Thence the vigor ms intekct, the philosoph,., the
freedom, and the commerce that distinguish our island;
the sincerity of manners, the comthrts and the warm
a&etions of domestic and social life; the exalted in-
fluence and condition of the female sex that adorn our
society ; the calm devotion to the cause of truth and
virtue, the steady love of our country, and attachment
to its laws which animate our citizens ; and the senti-
ments of charity, of piety, and religious duty which in.
spire the great body of the community.

The Journal of Client, of the elst, under the head
bf Client, says, that Mr. Santini, lately returned from
St. elena, declared at Ghent that he was going to
Italy to deliver 'utters from Buonapurte to the Empress
Maria Louisa. _ _ .

CHILD Mut:um—An inquisition was held on Thursday
at Mile-end New town, before J. W. Unwin, Esq. Coioner
on view of the body of a female infant. The facto of the case
were briefly these:—One Humphries, a labourer in the Cu,
tom-house, lets part of his house in lodgings; a female, of the
name of Thompson, the wife, or reputed wife, of a sea farina
man, had lodged then• for about a month, during which time
the mother of the child, who is supposed to be of indifi't•rent
character, frequently, but clandestinely, slept with Thomp-
son. On Monday morning, in the last week, Humphries
observed a considerable agitation about Thompson, who, on
her inquiry as to the ranee, slated that the other female had
passed the night with her, and that she had been exceedingly
all; shortly afterwards Humphries saw the strateger iu Ili,
yard, and. from some appearances, accused her of having
been brought to bed, which she denied, as did Thompson,
though repeatedly questioned. Humphries thou said to the
vtranger, " You ate no lodger here, go home to }oar trio nds,
you are very ill." In the evening the husband of Humphries
returned home, and both examiwol the apartment ,if Toomp-
son ; when, from the ap:waratiees on the ilthor awl bed, they
were convinced of what had taken place. Thompson was
accused again as to her friend, bat she stoutly denied that
any occurrence existed of the nature imputed. She next day
gritted the lotlginv. Last Friday a Chil:l was found in some
night which haul lIVOII removed from the house of Hum-
phries; the infant was wrapped in an old petticoat, with a
small twist round its neck aliont the sin of a packthread,
which appeared to have hews taken from a house rug. 'l'he•re
was a horse re,. upon ThompsaWo bed. (hi the examination
of th surgeon, he uleclinu d that the infant was in so pallid a
state, that no ilissectitio emilt trod !o any satisfactory result.
Ile thou,ht it was a sew* a months' child. The Jury atilt the
other witnesses, however, thou,lit it hail come to its
foot
mat it city.
The Coroner remarked upon the frequent occurrences of
these attempts to conceal the birth of illeaitia,ate children,
which it was highly neerssaty to eiteek. The denial of the
birth, the absence of all prov shin for any child, and the plan
whi,ol ass litlOilted EMI' the purpose of coue•-almeut, not only
great suspicion, but argued great itri al depravity.
It i, for the Jury to decide, whether the infant had c ti a
vi tica; death, or haul died fairy ; but a ease of on much myo.
Lary Ail I •us,Ocion set mad t call or examination before a
hi he tithunsl. Both the wn'aeu appear to be equally
hnplira ef. Verdict—Wilful Murder agaiust ►hc Mother. and
Thou►paot»