The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1818-05-05 00:00:00

••••\ \\A

'Committee of monogeo., to enable
.tbom to poor. tion, missionaries, had littce4..rTed to ei-
chaseilie 4avory' of..phe lat. pr,eßentei. plore tht Interior of Africa.... The education
Mroctinceirtp. Opiesod the ntntion; arab as he of the Negrises• had been established by the
insagined die cireinintanniti of the country wither- I GoveroMillor Cape Coast Castle upon the most
spdet to flooote on& not inch 'as—collected...ions secure foaling. 'No writers were permitted to go
the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement;. who out to these settlements, who were not well ac-
'had idmitted that it would be necessary to invade I quainted wish their own, and in sonic considerable
the. Sinking Fund this year—would entitle the degree With that part of the coast to which they
Raabe to saddle the nation with this expense. at were to proceed. School. had been very generally
all events in the present year; and, secoodly, estiablialied, to which the drildreii of the surround-
-Canis he knew there was a jealousy respecting grants log country had been successfully invited, and
its the Museum for these lior esses. which seemed churches or chapels had been constructed at mist.
'to be rather for the express entertainment and gra- derable expense. To inert which, as well as for the
tificition of Members themselves, than for the see- maintenance of all the forts upon the coast, for the
vice of the public at large, to whom these books purpose of preveisting the Slave Trade being car-
would, of cowl,, not be generally accessible. j tied oil, it became his duty this evening to propose
Mr. WYNN supported the tuutiou of his Hon. a vote of a greater sum by 5,000/. than on preced.
Friend (Mr. Basakee). tug years. He concluded by voting a sum not ex-
Mr. F. DOUGLAS contended this was not an als- I everting 28,0001. for the maintenance of the forts
solute grant of 13,500/. because there were dupli- upon the Africans coast, together with the establish-
cote volumes in the library, which could of course merit connected therewith.
be sold, and bring out less thou 3.000/. lot the I Mr. W. SMITH could feel no objection to the
*nous while the usual allowance of Parliament to i grant, but lie certainly objected to the present
this Instltution would be withheld until the re- management of those settlements. They were now
maiming 10,5001. should lie repaid to the country. completely managed and controled by a company
The country would thus he possessed of a library which had for a considerable number of years carried
of which it might justly be proud, containing at 011 the inhuman trade in slaves upon this very coast,
least double the amount of classic authorities for and lie considered it highly improbable that the
referente contained in any oiler public library. I moires could cerrlially believe the British nation
The object. too, of their collection would be di- wasdisposedto abolish all the Etedilies to the traffic
crated, and no longer a maimed object, if they I in slaves, whilst those persons whose origins! 0111.
*ere allowed to be sold by unction, and thus scat- ratter they could not. forget, were intrusted with
turd through the hands of individual'. Two of the government of the coast.
the works in this collection were objects of extreme Mr. Guano's defended the conduct of the Afri-
curiosity and rarity, and the whole library had the eau Company, and considered, from all lie could
advantage of being arranger!, amid even annotated i collect, flair conduct commendable,
upon by one of the best Greek scholars in the Mr. SMYTH (of Cambridge), although lie was
world, who had made these lennalks and annotations happy to timid that by the precautions taken, and
expressly with a view to publication, in which hope lie the treaties lately 'signed, the nails in slaves to the
had been, unhappily for the world. defeated by the north of the Line was now abolished, yet he coil-
visitation of Heaven. These observations would be fessed lie should much rather see throe settlemente,
thus phiced at the service of the public anal of like our colonies abroad, under the immediate con-
a_dtolairsowho might render thew of general service to trol of the Crown, as naturally their accounts and
posterity. Attached as lie was to classic learning, he their expenditure would be from time to time sub.
could not help thinking these stories of knowledge. ' witted to the Moire. and a constitutional check
of as much importance as the neguisition of that I provided thereby against the misapplication of their
which cost the country 44.0001. and *mod upon fusels.
very differeet ground*. The collection also con- Mr. A narrnNoT assured the House it was the
tallied complete sets of newspaper, bonn the l intention of Guyer 1111 l ent to obtain yearly accurate
earliest publication of any thing tad that shape; and accounts of the receipts and expenditure of the mo-
m. these were the records tint only of the limes, but Melt appropriated to this service, SO as to effect the
the lii.toriee of the progress of our constitutional i check suggested.
freedom. lie most sineerely hoped the Houle would The sawn of 25.0001. was then voted to the shore purpose.
feel a warm interest, as friend* of freedom, in pre- 3,0.101. was also soled to the use of the Board of Agricut.
serving these annal..—(//ear.) tare.
General THORNTON should have no objection
to this grant, were it more rosy to till description
of ochtslats, or the curious in general, to obtain
edmiltaisce to the library of the British Museum.
He hoped the preeeet prautice of urlinitting by
tie kris, which often led pertains to despair of ob-
taining 11111 opportunity of crinselte•g these ',epos'.
tortes of, no doubt, useful knowledge, would be
dispensed with. Might lint there be also some
mom, in the hands of the Directtirs of the Institu-
tion available for this purpose ?
Mr. C. Loy r. denied there existed any difficulty
to obtain access to the library, which ought to de-
ter any well-ilisposest curious persons or literary
characters. For his plat, lie should be sorry that
the library were generally acceseible ; no doubt the
same complaints of dilapidation' would reach the
ears of the It,atish public us hail alreidy been made
respecting the injuries umth thefts sustained by too
generally admitting strangers to the public libraries
iii Paris. Ile was not sO great an advocate for cu-
rious books as others perksios, but the recommen-
dation given by the Committee 16 this collection
was chiefly grounded on the extreme utility of it.
lie should therefore vote fur the grunt.
Mr. LOCK HART felt the ea-r if this library and
that of the Elgin marbles were altogether dissi-
milar. These books were rideable commodities.
lie feared, only to the virimuli, and could not be
considered obiects lit to be preserved by the inter-
positions of the Legislature. The Greek classics
and the Greek drains were 'trendy in our poe.e...
"ion ; but nothing hall been offered as new in mo-
rals, or in the history or the growth of society or
mankind in general. lie feared the acquisition
would for the greater part consist in emionatiens on
well-known authors, or in curious document* or
rarities of antiquity, about which the public in
general were little solicitous. Hid any hitherto un-
known good historical or oratorical works le en in.
eluded in the collection, he should have been niore
disposed to have acceded to the purchase.
Sir James Msceierosit expressed, in very ani-
mated language, his surprise at limiting such iiirlif-
ference to the. interests of literature. and particu-
larly chewiest literature, from the Representative of
that University (Mr. Lockhart, Member for Ox-
ford) which stood throughout all Europe pre-emi-
nent for its superior iiiitartion into the knowledge
mud spirit of the anemia el: l .' .e.--(Hear.)—
He was happy to enter his protest against the man-
ner in which the Hon. mud Learned Member hod
treated the subject, and denominated these trea-
sures of literature as mere stale copies of old books,
rare curiosities, or useless onisotations. Ile feared
he must hare read Homer and Demosthenes to
little purpose, to have acquired so little of the
emulous enthusiasm of mime! literature. These
writings had furnished the models of every good in
morals, had been the early oracles of civil wisdom,
and happy he was to say, they had breathed into
the youth of this country the generous, liberal,
and philosophical sentiments, which had rendered
them the truest supporters of their country's honour,
and the boldest supporters of the great cause of
liberty all over the world. Was the literary cha-
racter of the country nothing ? Every literary sc.
quirement was, to such or conotry as England, at
matter or state policy. From all these considera-
tions, he hoped the Nouse would agree to the pro-
posed grant.
After some explanation by Mr. LOCKHART. the
motion was put arid carried, and the suns to be ap-
propriated to this purpose agreed to.

391,7001. for Dread, Meat, Forage, Candles, die. fur lite
Troops in Foreign Garrisoitr.
89,0001. fur the Barrack Department of Great Britain.
A emir ersation then ensued on the reduced y rant
of •21.1.000/. for making a navigable col 1111 l unication
from the Western to tlw Eastern SCUP, I.l'olll lover-
tress to Fort William, when, after.a few words from
Mr. Goarion and Mr. IVlrts
• Mr. FORBES lamented to see the disposition
to economy was su often discoverable in the votes
of that Home, towards works of a public na-
ture iii langh.)—lt was the grea.er
pity, because it led to a s•ipposition that
they were improvident in that country ; and
next, he had heard it said, that the Colonies
ought to be able to maintain tlworselves, rosnlying
the maxim to Scotland os if it bad been a Colony.
--(Lunghier)-11thase sums granted to the African
forts had bees. applied to more reasonable projects
nearer home, they taight have produced much
more importwit effects in the improvement of the
Highlands of Scoilaial by good roads awl bridges,
'Arr. by the poor inhabitants of that part of the
kingdom might be prevented in the winter limn
starving, tor want of any means of communicating
with the low-lands, where there was ii!our to be had
food for themselves, or fodder fur their cattle w the
severs *CIO4/11,.
Mr. Swtvr thought this the most ill-timed and
ill-judged moment for a remonstrance upon the
Iran of the Scottish people against the liberality of
Parliament, when it was well known that within
these 16 years not less than 900,000/. had been
voted to the very object of creating Highland roads
and bridges—(llear, hear, and laughing)—which
was a sum exceeding all the sums pot together
voted for a similar purpose during the last two
hundred years in this country.—(ileoe, hear.)—
lie thought the canal one of great utility. The
Hon. Member (Mr. Forbes) spoke of Scotland as
a colony, now if the farther told of the empire
deserved that mime, it should be applied to this
quarter and out to the north.—(d hash.)
Mr. FORM explained, that iiisteoil of his hay-
ing said that Scotland WAS a colony, the ground of
his complaint was, that she should have been spoken
of as if she were such—llleaei—when she hail
a right to participate in the benefit of public grants
fur gem-fel improvements.
Mr. PROTHEROE said, that so far from Scotland
being treated us a colony, site had more than a pro-
portional share oh the public money for her local
improvements.

Mr. ARBUTHNOT said, that so far from forget-
thug Scotland, be had already pi-flamed u Kraut of
20,0001. for makiiig roads in the Ilighlaials, but
lie had uo objection to withdraw the present resolu-
tion, to consider the propriety of a larger rum, if
that should seem the pleasure of the Committee.
Mr. WYNN thought that would be the better
course, as the Report of the Caled_oniais Canal Com-
missioners was not yet before the house.
Mr. FINLAY recommended a larger sum for the
canal, as the object wee not merely for a local
advantage, but for a general improvenn•ut in the
navigation, which would diffuse its
throughout the %bole commerce of the empire, by
cousiecting the two seas. It would also, by giving
employment to a hardy race of men, prevent them
emigrating from their own country.
Afivr a few words from Mr. A 91111ITIINOT, Sir N.
W. RIDLEY. and the CHANCELLOR of ll,e ExcitrAi
QUER, the resolution was with(lrawn, for the pur-
pose of colowlering the propriety of pruposiiig a
larger grant after the Isolidajs.
Mr. ARBUTHNOT HioVrii. that a sum not exceed-
ing 10,0001. be voted lor iletra)log the expenses of
works in the College of Edinburgh, for the veer
1818. Ile hoped this vote would satisfy the
!lien. her Ilcit Scotland war out foigottris iu the
public graiits.—(d /..ugh).
Air. FrinsEs would have preferred to hear a state-
ment if the whole sum to be relnired for U e!ie
improvrinetitaa

On the motion of Mr. A RIIUTIIN AT,
The sum of 1,350,000/. was voitd for Eatraordisaries fur
the Army;
Also a 'us of 50,000/. fur Army
land.

for Ire-

• •
. •
Sit AI. W. RIDLEY irquired as to the amount
specified in the eta imptekr for the College ks.
Mr. A aduruts OT said the whole SUM was 80,0001.,
but 10,000/. wars ull that was wanted in the present
year.
Mr. W. Di:NOM; raid, it would be unwise to
vote a larger sum than tlw3rar's expense demanded.
Uu the subject of the grunts to Scotland, he
thought it light to say that for the iii or '2O yrues
he wit in Parliament, he thought the liberality of
Parliament had been unbounded towards tbnt coon.
try—( I /ear, hear.) and the effect of this apish.
cation of the public ituriey was stick us to advance
the prosperity of Scotland within that period, to a
far greater extent than was observable fur the
whole preceding craittiry.—( I kar.
•
The resolution was carried.

On the resolution for granting a sum not exceed-
ing 3,494/. for the repair► of !lolly the Seventh'.
Chapel—

gr. BAN NES begged to know whut had ulreutly
been ex printed on the etlttice, tend how match %mild
be requited to fluid' the repalrs ?
Mr. A tinnily: o r replied, that ,27.0001. had been
already expended, and lie behaved very kw
thon‘ands more mould complete the mask.

The resolution was agreed to.
On the resolution for grunting n sum not exceed-
ing 73,000/. to defray the expense of the gold
coinage for 1818—
Air. J. P. GRANT expressed his stirprese at hear-
ing such a sum called for to defray the expense of
a gold coinage, which it use admitted could not be
kept in the country, and which fact induced the
Chanerilo► of the Exchequer to call for a continu-
arce of the Bank Restriction Act. Two millions
and a half of soverrigt.s and half sovereigns had
List year heels coined, not nue of which w.le
be seen except in the pocket of smite gond old lady,
who kept too or three of them as %%hist markers.—
(II laugh.)—The gold coinage was now, it ap-
peared, to be carried up to eight millions, and the
public to pay the expense, though they had no
chance of rushee grating or keeping it in circula..
lion.— ( was surprised at a resolution
for such an expense.

Mr.IlY ILL I.ES EY I'OLE said the Hon. and Lenrrt-
ed surpriAe would have ceseed if he
considered the law applicable to the subject. The
Hon. Gentlrinini wrong in saying that only two
millions and a halfluoil hero conied.—(%lr. .1. I'.
Giant " or issued." —'Elie fact war, serer, millions
had been ru iucd. The Hint was by law hound to
coin the builion sent into it, nod an appropriation
of expeti-e was made liy the public to enable it to
(i rn. The Batik hail sent a meat quatitity of
bullion for coniage, mid if the demand continued
fur the reinait.der of the year in the same propor-
tion that was ohservalile fur the last three or
mouth., nearly eight 111 l s would he coined in
181$. The Bank had certainly fully issued two
millions and rt I all, hut the remainder Will 11,410,1
ill their coffer., prrparatoiy to the resumption of
cash payments.

. ,
A1r..1. P. GRANT replied, that lie did not 01 tject
to the Mien citmpl Mg with the provisions of the
lan', though he did to the !Look airing proltilntril
to resume cash peyments, if they had this large
treasure in their cutters. lesides, it war quite
absurd to let a law of this kind exist, which imposed
on the public m this uu rso Mtge tin expense,
to prepare the Rank for 'cariling into effect that
of wit ch -so much was said sod so little dom.—
( lleur.)
Mr. FINLAY said, that the law which prohi-
bited list exportation of gold coin wits an evil, even
supposmg it could he curried into effect. Ile saw no
reason whatever why this export should not he per-
mitted like any other commodity to ply the debt: of
the k ingdoin. As the law stood, the coin could not be
taken out of the country until it was incited down,
the consequence of nlt iela wits, that those who hail
an interest m sending it, inched that for the coinage
of which the public hail uheady Ao much, and
for which they were again called to pay all equal
sum, when the bulliou was imported back into the
kingdom. --(liear.)-lle also alluded to the effect
of this system ou the exchanges, and thought the
lew should i tttttt ediately altered.
Mr. W. PoLE concurred in what had just Gillen
from the Honourable ;Reuther, though his observa-
tions were ill-timed here. The question um*, as to
the existing less on the subject of the coinage.
This lie admitted might with advantage be ievlsed,
as it was certainly inefficiscious.—(Hear.)
Mr. Ft a LAY was glad to hear this adini•shto
from the Right llon. Gentleman, and he hoped air
would consider the necessity of this revisioti.—
(Ilster.)
511.. W. SMITH said, that it was a waste of money
to pay 75.0001. for the exprose of a Coinage of
8.1)00.0001. so Itnig as there was a possibility of
uttltiug the coin into bullitom expoitiog that haul-
tttt imporliu it isgaill, and re-c tt ill hag it. The
expense, while such a ifft.l4:3 was practicable, was
a niere waste. (Ileur.)
Mr. BANK ES concurred ill the necessity of a revi-
tion of the law, and regretted this was not <lone be-
fore the lest coinage. So material au error in the
commercial spirits of the country ought to be re-
moved—or else it would be in rata to keep up a
gold currency at all.
Mr. W. Putt; *greed in these general observa-
tions, and iii the iiect-i,sity of revi-mg the existing
law ou this subject. It would. however, be int-
politic to make the nominal value of the coin much
above its intriii-ic value, us this would affect the
character of the country in the eyes other snit.%
soil also atreet the general property of the king-
dom in the proportion of the artificial price fixed
on the cusps. This was the opintoot of Mr. Locke
in his controversy with Mr. Louth on the silver
rreitcy.
Mr. D. GILBERT was against seigitiorage alto-
gether on gold.
Mr. 11*YSIN inquired what was the expense of
this tit the Muni

Mr. W. Pohn replied, three quarter• per cent.
Relining mt. Kim) curried ttn w the Alnit 15 per
cent. cheliper than el.ewhere.

'.
\

F1111(16117, the vim '7:as to n e an ane rne:*l as a Plat-ai-
m" Or value, and he did not think gold rhuuld
be the one to lected for this purpose. The theory
was rather fanciful, iwhich went to skier► that
wealthy commercial liksono preferrt d gold iii their
dealings. The fact waY, their large fo far
from being conducted iii gold, were emoted nu in
paper. It was decidedly so evil to have to tat tuts
of unequal standard.
Mr. W. POLE explained, and the Retillittion
WWI carried.

A la nuolotion for granting n sum not exceeding M. 3371.
fur arraying the expelise of 111,• silver coinvge of IS Ili, n
them tweed to, ns well n 9 the fot:oning :
A cum not exceeding 21,004. lur prititing the Voles
during the present SCFSilltl
A sum not exceeding 3,700/ for printing 1 750 copiev of
the 73.1 Volume of the JUUEII al., and 4,0001. fur I cpriiiting
other Journals.

The flon%e then resumNl, anti the nrionst %whit
oidered to he it t roved to-tnorrim.
RISII EX(7II EQU ER FEES.

11r. PE►L :awe notice, that he w'oul•1 to-morrow to.,ve r„.
A continuum.r of the Act I.lr totroutolioz the 1.... a of the
(:heck of the Court of Exchetioter in Ireland.

SEPTENNIAL PILL.

Sir R. II FROM %aid, ilia', in roost Ire life of an i,iiim•ti inn
fruits •of his Majesty's Ministers that it • In•
venienl for hint to atteiat on Thursday u• I„• would
pone-, until the 19th of Mn,y his motion fur a Hepesl of the
Septennial Hilt.