The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1820-12-26 00:00:00

GREENOCK, Dualism' 0.

One of those disgraceful woes which, in the
present demoralised stale of the lower, °oder, of eti-
ciety, have become of sn common occurrence else-
where, and we are sorry to add, not tnifregoent here,
was exhibited in our streets on Si:lmlay eveniiig.
During the latter part of the dayosnow fell heavily,
end a kern frost still prevailing, 601:111cover-d the
ground to the depth of several inches. After dusk,
the tender mercies of the rabble suggested to them
the harmless pleasure of converting the congealed
element Into missiles fur the purpose of annoying
the lieges, and though their object had been laud-
able, they could not.have displayed a greater indus-
try in the pursuit of it. This desultory warfare
was, however, ultimately obarolinied, for a combined
attack, which was accomplished by accumuleting a '
siloweball of colonel dimensions, and rolling it iAis
the door-way of a shill in Harnillon-street, Occupied
by Mr. Hume, cendleirt.ker, who, from having fur-
mealy heels a membered' the Port Glasgow Armed
Aosortetion, bar, 86'1kt...been trade the subject of
inseh reinstifiablesietvsge, on the part of the mob.
On Notice being &owed' what was going on, the
Magistrates. Sheriff, end Town Officers came to the
'pot, the former of whom strongly rem instrated
with the rabble on the impropriety of their conduct,
but without effect. The early part of the proceed=
isigs ins apparently the work of idle boys, but let-
terly. us the disturbanee was prolonged, others, of
mature years, took part in it, sod unconciliated by
the. forbearance of the Magistrates, the outrage on
the shop was continued. mild the window was en-
hidy broken, avid considerable darn age otherwise
done to the premises with brick hats, &e. At length
finding their lenity was only produci ire of 'ownsl
abuse directed spinet themselves, the Magistrates
called in the assistance of a party of military, who
had scarcely made their appearance when the hi-
therto courageous rabble began to scamper away in
all directions, and in a few minutes the disturbed
part of the street was completely cleared of the
malcontents. It is matter of regret, however, that
none of them were caught in the act, as it can only
be by securing, and inflicting exeniplary punish-
meat on sorb offenders, that they anti their coadju-
tors in the work of mischief will be deterred front
a repetition of their informal-practicer. It is inc.
pointy that gives them that mongrel courage,
that impudent &ruble, which, in affray. like this,
they exhibit, to the temporary invasion of the
tranquillity of the town, and 'to the manifest in-
jury of its reputation in the. estimation of other
communities, besides the pecuniary loss which
the iiihrbitents most sustain in repairing the
damage committed. VVe Ore our Magistrates every
poeiiible credit for their limning.' devise to nesiniaiu
the peeve without the intervention of military aid;
but while we do not possess a regular Police s•sta7
blishment—and which burden, vie ere afraid, a ee..
ries of excesses such as the one now mentioned,
must inevitably, ere long, hove upon can-
not see any impropriety in the prom pt but temperate
applioation tile
.only effective ens which we
pones., of checking Alit div Orderly spirit which
so fatally prevail" ainorit the lower °Welk To'
the trerpetrutors of each in outrage, advice, ad-
monition, or reproof, ate al!ogethrr thrown away.
They must be invulnerable to all such—to all feel-
ings either of commois decency, humanity, or
compunction, ere they would become parties to it,
and, to be dealt with at all, other means, war-
ranted bylaw, must b- employed. In saving so, we
are sure that we speak the sentiments of 116 e-tenths
of the well.dispoeed portion of the community.
sides, it is impossible to regard this. biota! acetic es'
the ebullition of feelings, to which the remembrance
of a late unfortunate event, might have give., poig.
loamy in the breasts of s few individuals, personal-
ly, or through the medium of relative., concerned
iii its untoward results. With. the rabble, so Pe--
triOtically employed on S 'tardily night, ire' will
venture to say, 'no such pretext, indefetisihtese it
might be, existed, but that a sheer love of mischief,
iss detest:dile at it wss.otherWise inotivete.s, actuated
their proceedings. They meet not, however. ex-
pect to escape sower es they have dune—the day or
retribution. thoughSitte, mud' arrive;. and we ven-
ture to predict, tied be their'imoisliment what it
may, few well pity, and mint interpose to steer or
emetic/tato its infliction. •

Hite Majesty's ships Heela and Griper, which
lately arils. d at Deptford, from the Arctic Ettiedi.
tion, are to be paid off. The G.iper being found
altogether-unfit for such another expedition, wilt be
replaced by the Nary bomb, to be' intine:..
ettutely fitted out for another• voyage to Ott pbliir'
region,. on: • plan more exibinive • add- coatplti'
than nor hithetto 'Wonted. An Unforeseen aceideid
droircil the semipro of the discovery slaps &thing.
theism voyiree, of a corninedity• whiegi is• knoweis
to be sr grist preirrestitt of beafth to those viiio.,
are a longtime at sea. ThillMeloice,.. 'Mich was
forniAid thefts by the TKidaphrt Bard, being.:
fro:sett; was lisst iu eareakcjurrtee of the bdrstlog or
•tire bottles whielt Contaltied 'Prbptor preteutlbrio;-.
hoereVer, will' be tails to•gtiettr thy like
nriaftkerne fistitte;:eild it ie inftntle.h4 a4li4K
other' orrangfkleilik' fie- Obtiliefeetfithlio
toibtldt tbssalsWeltniarie, itt thi • vtripttt irk ibe
exposed.