The Sun.
London, England, 1825-01-27 00:00:00

LITERARY NOTICE. ;,

A VOICE from INDIA, in Answer to the. RelOortira of
England. Dedicated by permission to the Might HO-
President of the Board of Controul. By Jon if SEELTJ
Captain in the Bombay Native Infantry, and late Second in
Command First Battalion of the Regular Briga,le of his
Highness the Rajah of Nagpore ; Author of The Won-
ders of Elora."

Whatever relates to the'*elfare of our Indian
possessions is of such impfftance, that we took
up this work with eager curiosity. The Author
indeed, had introduced his main subject, viz: the
question respecting the utility or danger of a Free
Press in India in a series of letters, subscribed by
his own name, in THE SUN, and we have rear
son to believe that they produced a powerful effec-
upon those who turn their attention to the con-
sideration of this important topic. Captain
SEELY urges very strong arguments against the
toleration of a Free Press in India, and the work
before us may be considered a WAlL:uric- Volcr,
which sagacity and experience justify him in
holding forth to the country, and to which it may
listen with great advantage. Mr. RucitiNoisitm
has entered the lists against our Author, and sup-
ports the opposite side of the question. We
have not room to enter into the controversy, but
we confess, however, that we feel a strong bias in
favour of the reasoning advanced by Captain
SEELY, notwithstanding our conviction of the
vital importance of a Free Press in this country.
Capt. SEELY, though attacked without ceremony
by his opponent, keeps his temper, and seems
more anxious for the diffusion of truth than
for victory. The subject is too interesting to
be canvassed in this place, nor is it necessary
to our Readers, in particular, who have perused
the series of letters which appeared in our Paper;
we therefore refer them to the Work before us,
in which the Author has supported his opinions
with cogent arguments, founded upon strik-
ing and solid facts. The Work is written in an
easy and temperate style, and the long and va-
ried local experience of the Author gives it a claim
to the attention of the Philosopher, the Politician,
the Merchant, and the Statesman.

NATIONAL GUARDIAN INSTITUTION.

Yesterday a numerous Meeting of Gentlemen
waa held at the London Coffeehouse, Ludgate.hill, for the
purpOse of establishing the above Institution—T. W. HOD.
ESCI in the Chair.

The Own max opened the business of die Meeting by scat.
ing, that two Institutions having been formed under the title of
"The National Registry and Benevolent Institution," and" The
Commercial and Domestic Guardian Institution," the objects of
which were in a great measure the same, it had been deemed ad-
visable to form a union of the two Societies, in order the more
effectually to promote the benevolent objects in view. He felt
that it was unnecessary for him to go into a detail of the plans
atiotit to be submitted to them, or to point out the necessity
which existed for the well-directed labours of such an Institution
as that now contemplated. Ile trusted that the exertions of the
Gentlemen who had been engaged in organizing the two Institu-
tions would be cordially and zealously given to the promotion
of the United Society. The Gentlemen who formed the Com-
mittee for effecting this union had, with much labour and
ability, prepared a report, and a code of bye-laws, which he
would request a Gentlinan near him to read to the meeting.
Mr. F. A. WINDSOR read the report. After noticing the
measures taken by the two Societies, the committee recommend-
ed a union of the same, under the title of the " National Guar-
dian Institution." The report then submitted that the exer-
tions of the Society "should be directed to ameliorate the condi.
tion of that large and useful class of the community, which com-
prise the employed in every capacity, by facilitating the means
of their obta►ning honest employment, by rendering them timely
assistance and protection in sickness and adversity, as well as
permanent support when they are disabled by age or infirmity;
and, on the other hand, to secure families anti employers
against the numerous evils to which they are continually sub-
jected by the introduction of designing and dishonest indivi-
duals into their establishments.

" Your Committee refrain from entering into a minute sur-
vey of the wide field, which the experience already acquired
has made manifest for the labours of this Institution ; but,
for the attainment of the great objects in view, they propose—
" 1. To register the names, characters, and connexions of per-
sons seeking employ in every capacity, commercial, domestic, or
otherwise; to investigate such characters, and, when approved,
then, and then only, at a small charge, so recommend them to
situations ; and, as a farther inducement to good conduct; to
distinguish meritorious individuals by the annual distribution
of medals.

" 2. To register the names and addresses of employers; and
to make necessary inquiries as to their respectability previous to
supplying them with the parties whom they may require.
" li. To prosecute persons recommended by the Institution,
who shall be guilty of any flagrant act in their situations.
" 4. To protect persons of good character so recommended,
who shall be oppressed, injured, or defrauded.
" b. To afford temporary pecuniary relief, as well as medical
advice and assistance, to such persons of good character as are
proper objects for the attention of the Institution, in times of
s►ckness and distress, who may come recommended by mem-
bers duly qualified, or any 3letropolitan Magistrate.
" 6. To raise a Fund for the erection and endowment of
Alms-houses, for the permanent maintenance and support of
decayed servants of good character.
" 7. To afford a residence to all unemployed candidates (at
a low and proper compensation) who have no parents or friends
with whom they can reside, and who are destitute of protec-
tion, in order to preserve theM from contamination and evil
association.

" Your Committee further recommend that, At a seasonable
time hereafter, a Saving Bank be established, for the encou-
ragement of habits of industry and economy amongst the em-
ployed classes who are more immediately contemplated by this
Institution."

" In concluding their report, your Committee cannot refrain
from expressing an ardent hope that one united and cordial feel-
ing will be entertained for the promotion of the single object
which all must have in view."

On the motion of Mr. DawsoN, the report was received and
adopted.
he By-Laws having been read to the Meeting,
Mr. Jouw WILIcs suggested several amendments thereto,
and pointed out the advantages which it was fair to calculate
would result from the efforts of the Institution.
An Honorary Board of Directors, and a Ladies' Committee,
were then formed.
Sir Walter Stirling,Bart., Sir Jobn Perring,Bart., and WITI.
Fry, Esq., were appointed trustees, and Thos. Wm. Hodson,
Esq., treasurer of the Institution.
The thanks of the Meeting were unanimously given to the
CHAIRMAN' who, in returning thanks, pledged himself to use
his best exertions on behalf of the-Institution.
A liberal subscription was entered into by the gentlemen
present.

On Tuesday afternoon a chimney-sweep, who
had been at work in a house situated in the Mint, Southwark,
having missed a bag of soot, and suspecting the party who had
deprived him of it, and being much irritated, said, " May God
strike me dead if I don't serve them out for it !" He had
scarcely uttered the words before he fell down dead on the spot.