The National Register.
London, England, 1819-01-17 00:00:00

Ha 571.—V0L. XII.

rounem.. insQuisrrioN.

MELTING OF I'AIILIANIENT.

THE licitish Parliament hus again assembled, and
although under circumstances of on almost universal
"owe, it,. perhaps, scarcely ever had subjects of more
vital /wow importance to consider, titan those which
must soon come under its discussion and deliberatiem
For some time it bus been rumoured that important
eianges in the Iklinistry were likely to take place; how
far this may be true, we cannot pretend to determine ;
bot we think that if any change do. 3 happen, it will,
yrobebly, not be one of material importance. There
sit cum, however„ from pretty good authorit7, to be ;
much stronger Opposition Party in the house of Com..
maiislhan during niaoy former Sessions of PaOiament.
The number of Ministerialists is stated to be 398—that
of.the Opposition, 247, besides the do4tids, so that
we suppose " the tug of war" will be considerable.—
Ainoug the most interesting and important subjects
which will soon occupy the attention of Parliament,
sec may venture to rank the consideration of our rela-
tions and connexions with France—the discussion of
Parliamentary Reform—the Amendment of our Cril
minal Code—and the lute tragical end of our two
countrymei, Arbuthnot and Ambrister, who were
mooed by order of the American Govern.iient. With
respect to our relative situation with France, and the
money which the French Government has stipulated to
pay ourselves and our shies, we think that there is
here a very suspicious, and extraordinary procrastina-
tion. T!.e first palest for payment mentioned, was
9 months ; the next 18 ; and now it bas been further
protra,ted to 27*niunths. Under these circumstances,
there is some reason to fear that this " bonne iiiir of the
French may degeacrute into a "Punica fides." The
internal state of France, however, under their new and
popular Ministry ; unitt4 with the good intention:: of
the King, seems likely to remain in a state of trauvil-
lity. They certainly are making a slow and gradual
progress towards a free constitution and political
liberty ; that freed.,m and liberty which is the peeu-
1 ar and well grounded bunst of our own revered
country, and the tone of which is taught by almost
every continen:al rawer; the spring has risen from
the fountain head of England : France, frussia, and
Germany are aJout imb Ling is sa utary streams, and
nations tar remote will yet feel its roue. -But as in
rite best regulated states, and in the finest constito -
tions, there is always something which uk.,y he ren.
tiered better, awl drawn still near r to perfection ; so
in our own there arc some defects winds we hope will
temperately and gruvlually be removed Of this that
great and enlig tinted statesman Pmr was fully aware.
Via, are no wild and unrestrained uilvocates fur refocus,
hut grounding our observations on the busis of public
opinion, we arc fully convinced that our popular re-
presentation may be improved, and sincerely hope that
it will. Ot tiro same time we would recommeod all
*Mos reformers and oppositionh.ts to' take the excel.
lent advice of Horace, which has equal force in Polio
tical us in poetical truth " elii plura rites: in connihe,
lion ego pastels oCendur maculis.'• Our Criminal Code
has been mentioned betere, us one of the subjects to
which it is hoped this prezent Parliament will. pay pe-
culiar attention—nod it is Lore that we think there is
the s:rimgest call for chatioe and improvement. It is
surely most lamentable and disgraceful to our eetintry,
that offences comporatively trifling, and of little: letri-
:tient to society, should, in many instances, :meet; with
equal ponisinuent us the nest atrocious toinies;Mol no•
ill .__ be
do sincerely hope that this subject W t? iiy CR:I-
vaned. Deeply is it to be rerettod that one of the
most temperate lichwiners, and strenueus aorporors
for autelioratien of our Ciiminal Cede is now air moo:.