The Sun.
London, England, 1812-05-07 00:00:00

t 1142 '7I,IPAT lE.

LYCEUM'
,
A new Opera, iii three acts, was last night rept,"
rented at this Theatre, under the tide of Me pi,
Bridge. The piece is avowedly Likr-li from 1.1
French, and Las been adapted lb the English Stf
by• Mr. AttNoib, the Proprietor of this The'll,o
There is merit enough ih this drama to deserVe,'
introdu6tion on the English Stage, and the alt.dr'
dons which Mr. Atttiot.v has made certainly
.‘,;,
-tribute to its improveinent. Toe chief view, 1).0
ever, in bringing forward this Opera was to 111.:0
Mr. BKAILI M again in tliq service of the,Thl
and introduce some music which lie had coterrYit
for-it, not only for his own perforMance, but tote?
pupil, young Roy Ebl NO, who made his first apil of
ance in public hal night. The songs composed.,,ejl
Mr. BRAtiAm for himself were, of courfie 'lOl,
suited for the full disp!ay of his powers, and he'd,
formly exerted them ~.k i.h admirable effea, Itideer,
he never appeared fo greiter advantage as a si''gefit.
or to so much, considered as an ac9or. His "Itio
in (he former capacity needs no eulogium ie id..
place, and it may be fairly added, that he s 0111'111'4
his part with judgment and .feeling. Tue so'4ll'
which Mr. BRAIIAM composed for i\Jr. Fiovroiv
are also well calculated to display the talents Ofo6l
latter, who posses4es a fine voice, though it Iff
evidently restrained by diffidence and the 1111'01
of his situation, and who very successfully 101')e, I
the style of his- master. Some of the - airs ''' 4
encored that were sung by BHAHAN and Roveld,
and a duet in particular was very highly applau oi
• Mrs. DicKONS, also excited herself very ablif/jo
sung with great skill. Mrs. BLAND and
..170.
KELLY acquitted thetnselves very well. RAY o.l',
-who is always terrific in characters of dark vilolo,
was sufficiently so on this occasion. Lovaaft°
tir
throughout, acted inns( excellently. OxßEagY it 4
played a ;.vhinasical hutment-, but his part has nat.
very striking, and is too long. DECAMP has bal'
eili
sh J
ort character, but he reudered it very promt of
A little girl, named BIiEVETON, in the par7o,l,
displayed extrin:rdinary merit for her early Pe' ide
and evinced a very pleasing naivete, 'Thereoi
many very interesting situations in this pieee'feeli
the fable altogether -takes a strong hold of the. --00
ings. • The unexpected death of Paulo, the 11111:00
of the wicked Baron, by a pistol-shot, at theid 01
meat when it wits supposed that Belino growiret4
the victim of his cruelty, produced a Strong etcupon the audience. The .sentiments in geneild'
natural and impressive, and are expressed in of
fected language. The piece was received ihr° #f
out with great approbation, and was announced
Bsso,fiAm for this evening, amidst a tu3-I°ii of
applause.-
is WC
For.the amusement of our Country Reade •
subjoin the following sketch of the fable.

CHARACTERS.
The Baron Toraldi . • Mr. RAymoia"
Count Belino • Mr. BR .1 HANI•
1‘1.41.'1..1 (a Farmer and Innkeeper) Mr. 9v
Antonio (his Father) . • Mr. Al AK skint.i.•
Fabricio (Squire to the Marchio-
ness of S.iza) . Mr. DE CANIT'.O.,
Paulo (Squire to Toraldi) . Mr. WALDEGg'
Julio . Miss BitEat'r°l4•
Petro (a Country Lad, Waiter to
Marcelli)
Florian (a Peasant) . : AM\t";o°vNlGBCE;azarTl:ll4loll'
his first aPr-
on any Stag''
Mrs. Dreic.oo'
Mrs. BLAND.
Miss Iti.zi.l.Y•

The Countess Rosalvina
Claudine ( Wife to NlarceJli)
Lauretta (11larcelli's Sister)

FABLE.
Count Benno, who has secretly frorrleJ 511°1
Countess •Rosalyina, d.wgitter of the Marchinaliir
Suza,wreck afterwrecked
in
his years'voyag ea absence, n
hisce phaarveinnigs
atbeet'
rn,./e_srll'l"
and, in a subsequent v,,yage,
sair, arrives, dt,guised as a painter, on the c°- ,ect,
of Piedmont, where the Castle of Suza is
been taker) bY a6lO
He here sets up at the• Lin of
.Marcelli,bY -11-itljt
Julio, the off piing of his marriage with Iluv-ribo'v°
is protetled-71 he secret of his birth beim; 001 Y
to Vabricin, a faithful Squire, and Maice- ":',,r3ILD
keeper: Belino here learns that the 13aru11
is about to be, united to his wile, who siill
,ii)e6ll
iAnt of his existene:, and supposes him to
lust at. sea. In consequence of big port/0/i0 .jltvt.i:j
been exposed, through the lolly of Petlo, 3 n.5(.104
countrr vvai'e-r, he is called into the preseoce
rival, Baron Tor.ifd:, and "tmerro 'wed a' (`),.siot/
cular drawings which appear in it 6 His pe':it'tvo
of these be accounts for by stating, that lie4,1"00.00
his patron, and, before his ship''A reek, b 3-,,
them a present to ; one of them, 11°;s17„11,18efr
sketch, he. fills up, by describing the 01",-,
comprised in it poetically. speaking of Jt
wheit;iive
ron,. whose figure is introduced amon4
describes him as t‘ a muraleroUs wretch, vvi';,,o.,
he is sol;citing a briJe, has immured his '4,117
dunvon.., Suspicion flashes on (tie mind °if,
raldi, that the painter: eh he'r' Belino bialseoLivi'
litsemis,ary. Toe,joytel eiclaination of the-,,,,
when, he hears t liar !us wife has tied (roca lie'Aritts
thet's castle', to avoid this hated match,
„„qe
Toraltli's feats. Belmo is seized and
and, when on tile. point of- being a.ga55i1.3,411.,e
Paolo; the cleat are of.Toraidi, is re.cued by r `3'11)1
the servant of the Mart:Lioness Suzl, %iv>
dungeon by a private door, arid having, s"-(109
assassin, gives.life and liberty‘ Retina'. Por9tieoce(
all sides by the troops of his mortal foe; the rite
takes refuge in the glen where the cottage a(' 04
nio, the father of-Marcelli, ts-situat, d. Her dab
honest Inn-keeper, after mans' " -bair-„bUir 1)0;
'scopes," has lodged RosalOna. The a"-Orst4
ba6.l of course met:: ; but •sc,ircely are their Jai V'
lations over, when they learn itiat the trouP" etre
.raldl arcieady to pour'down On them.
Junctuie, a mine is . sprung on the
.Pridge is blown u;.:—ibetyninnica) tot
is forced to retreat—while F'abricio alltIOUP", irico
a letter which Belirio had dispatched to l'i9
is attended with the best CODSVF.ICIICeS--ille if
Be,
of the Baron being exposed, and the virtue 4)f flat
lino rendered triumphant. The imagination °doped
auditor is left to do justice to ttle ab3n
Toraldi.

The volunteering from the Royal Norili
cester Regiment of Militia into the I.IIIC, tOtA 1)00
on Monday last, when, immediately ttie °";1:cio0‘
read on the parade, upwards of 100 men to; °wool'
for that old and tavout Lie corps the 56th, or oeif
padourS. The number 'allowed t. extend OtOf
services is 83, and a ballot is to take phice ,
to decade who arc to remain behind.

T )ETT?V

THE PRAYER OF VENUS.

'Rom otpsß'b °yin.

From beav'n Walla's GoUd,is sieli'd to trace
The V-arious sorrows or her earth-b6in race;
'And thbs, with eyes that bearn'd celestial loVi,
Woo'd the stern 13rother of her fattier [ova
0, Monarch of the NI tin ! to whom is giv'n
rowfr next in rank to Him who reigns
Great is the boon I,covet haste to free
1711,wretchet1 outcasts frarth' lonian Sea
Ur let them near thy throne their station keep,
And rule in scaly Demi-Cods the deep :
Some claim I hold— some influence o'er the waves,
And N trtv r, sure, may grant what VENUS craves,
Since from thy sparkling foam Walla's Dame
Detivra her being, and the Greeks hit name."

NI PTV NE consents ; but ere lie bids them shine,
Illowtal no more, in majesty divine,
New names on both he hastens-to confer,
Andllirn P - AL./C.MON calls,. LEVCOTHoE her..

4 Aphrodite

.PREACH PAPERS.

APRIL 19.—The Government has pub-
'Dated s'eferal,nbtices relative to the maintenance of
the corps d'arinee which are •in our country ; it en-
gagesto pay for the goods `three weeks after their
delivery.
The country is` perfealy tranquil, and all ,the
reports which arrive speak of the harmony that sub-
sists between the subjects of the Monarchy and the
foreign troops who_pass through the different Prus-
, Can proilnces.
COPENHAGEN, APRIL 18.—Seafaring men assure
us, that 'here are aireadv eight of the enemy's ships
..at t;,p ~r-itrance" of the Bell, but letters from Cor-
-B°"tdated the 16th;take nn notice of this intent-
gente. To night there, was a great fire in this city.
The •Corps of firemen, encouraged by the presence
of his Majesty, succeeded in extinguishing it. -
ALTONA, APRIL, 23.--On the 18th instant, an
English snip disembarked at Border Oog (a small
ii;and upon the western coasts of the Duchy of
Sleswicti) Gcneral Baron Dc Geramb; immediately
tt,on leis 1.1 ,Ci'ng he sent a Courier to the Austrian
at Copenhagen, and a letter to.his Majesty
the King of Denteark.

GANDDUCHY OF WARSAW. ,
APPIL 16.—His Majesty the King of
Wes' phaliA arrived in our town on the 13th, at nine
oclock in the evening: His Majesty yesterday re-
view,:d the Ist and 2d divisions of the Westphalian

The .soldiers evinced, by the most lively acclama-
tions, ti e joy with which 'their Soreteign's arrival
inspired them.. The Westphalian army has hitherto
11)arcied in the most perfe6t order, -and borne well
the fatigues of the .jOurney. It has scarcely ex-.
Perienc,!cl any sickness ; all .the corps rivalled each
!Aber in their,good coudu6t on the march. • Their
fine appearance has been noticed in all the places
through which they passed.
MADRID, APRIL intelligence we re-
ceive from Toledo, Burgos, Vilencia, Vidoria, and
-several other places, announises that the anniversary
of his Majesty has been celebrated with the greatest
Aolenir) ty.
Ministers.
his Majesty presided at a Council of
alinisters.
VIENNA, APRIL 18.—To establish magdzines
'or the su6sistence of the troops, which from all
Parts of the Austrian Empire have ben concentrated
R4one point, is now the principal occupation of Go-
vernment.
The news that reaches ris from Turkey is not in-
teresting. Military operations have not yet corn-
nlenced there.
PATERSBURGH, APRIL 7.—An army of re-
serve is forming at Pkow, it will be divided into
btwo small corps, one of which will be commanded
dy
Major Nordeveaux, and the- other by Major
--6ehanoli. •
The army of 'reserve, placed between Tharnapool
and Shitoicie, will be composed of four divisions of
infantry and two of cavalry.
t 13ERLIN, APRIL 21.=--Baron Serdolen, Secretary
„0 the Rusiiati Embassy, the day before yesterday,
v,,3ssed-through this city: on his way front Peters-
our
gh .
AUGSBURGH, APRIL 25.—Two hundred wag-
-1::,:hs have left Stutg,ard for the Wortemborgh corps
Arrnee, which is in march.
VIENNA. APRIL I7.—The town of Szistowe, a
mall place in Wallachia, la the vicinity of Bucha-.
known by the. Congress which was'held there
11, 1791, to conclude peace' between the Emperor
N' Germany and the Turks, has just been- burnt.—
O
details respe6ting this event have been given.

k„.l4t-isic.—The season of the Concerts under the
"VETTS and the VAUGHANS terminated on Mon-
(lay night, at the Hanover-square Rooms. It has
„very chart-Ili/1g concert throughout, and,. in jus-
"ce to the tlanagers, it must be said, that they rer
lained the best performers that could be procured,
,except those who conduacd another-concert of the
,
nature. l'he several pieces, vocal and instru-
rhental, were well diversified, and Were performed
th exquisite skill in geneial: The KNYVETTS,
the VAeGLIANS, TRAMEZZANI, FISCHER, Mrs.
and the At hole vocal corps, exerted themselves
foe y a y• ifuld Robin Gray, haimoniztd As a glee
,",; four voices, by W. KNYVETT was much ad-
-"1ed• The eXcell, nt glee " Father of Heroes,"
„
CALLCOTT, who has been peculiarly suc-
Issful\i„ entering into the genius of Ossian, was
It is full of character and expression,
(lidthe audience, by the warmth of their applause,
,he displayed that interest in the situation of
lee ingenious eourp6ser, which -we have no iced on
previous occasions. The KNYVE.TTS much
KiSlinglll,l)ed themselves in these Concerts, and C.
r,-"veTT. in the la4t but one, gave the first grand
711terio Organ by HANDEL, with the true chatac-
IV' of the waster.—The Duke of GLOUCESTER, and
I,:nY of Nobility, were present, as well as a nu-
rcms and elegant audience. •
*--)
br • -.ore is engaged for the 'new Theatre in
iii(l)*Y-Lane. Several other-Performers of establish-
A.‘„rtltrit are, we understand, either engaged or in
,7 tVi and
the Theatre, by all•accotints, will open
n a large iind liberal scale, and by the tune

.PER AL PAl?l,LlitigN2,

HOUSE OF 23.ERS--WEDNESijAY, MAY

OADERS IN COUNCIL.

Their Loidshipk, by special adjournment, Met at
halt-past two o'clock, and immediately resolved into
a Committee, Lord Walsingham in the Chair, for
the consideration of the various Petitions which had
been presented to the House on the subjea of the
Orders in Council.

-Mr. Spooner, banker, ip Birmingham, was the
first witness called in support of the alleg tions in
the Petitions against the Orders; he underwent an
examination of nearly three hours. Mr. Potts,
trader and manufa6turer of the.same place, was the
next witness,' and who was also examined at consi-
derable length.
After the witness bad withdrawn, a conversuion
ensued between the Earls of LauderdalcN Rosslyn,
Selkirk, Liverpool, and Grey, and the Lord Chan-
cellor, respecting the most eligible and' convenient
hours for the future proceedings of the Cornmittee,
the result of which was, that under the circum-
stances particularly alluded to, the Committee of the
whole House - should meet on .Friday,• at two
o'clock, but that its subsequent meetings should be
at five. •

The Bills upon the table were forwarded in their
regpeaive stages. Among these, the Scots Cus-
toms Officers' Superanuatton Bill passed through a
Committee, and was reported without Atriend-
ment.

The Scots Local Militia, and the Wrought•plate.
Duty Drawback, and a few Private Bills, were
brought up from-the Commons by Mr. Lushington,
Scudamore, and other Gentlemen, and seve-
rally read a first time.

The LORD CHANCELLOR reminded the House,
with respe& to the business arrangements of Friday,
the Committee of Privileges on the Roxburgh Peer-
ages would be brought on the first thing. This was
not expeCted to take up much 'time ; and, he pro-
posed to move the farther consideration of Moore's
Divorce Bill on ,the same day, with reference to a
clause for preventing the intermarriage of the Adul•
terer with the Lady divorced.
The House, then adjourned (tO-thorrow being
,As-
cension liSursday), till Friday.

HOUSE OF COPI4IOIV4--WEDNESDAY, MAY G.

The Irish Population Bill was postponed to Mon-,
Say next. -
Sir WILLIAM -CURTIS, Mr.. Alderman Con-kne,
Mr. MELLISH, Sir JAMES SHAW, and Mr. BYNG,
presented. Petitions from the Merchants, Manufac-
turers, -Traders, Bhip-wrightb, Sail-makers, and.va-
rious other bodies interested in the Export Trade to
India and China, pra) ing for the confinement of
that Trade to the Port of London, as usual. They
were all ordered to lie on the table.
Mr. W. FITZGERALD was ordered to be discharg-
ed from the custod) of the Serjeant at Arms, on the
motion of Lord Dysart.
Mr. CREEVEY gave notice of a motion for the 2d
of June, foundtd upon Papers presented to the
House in the course of last Session. Tt'e object of
his motion, he slated to be, to procure the recall
of Sir George Barlow from the -Government of
Madras. ,

The Sheriffs of the City of London presented
a Petition from the Aldermen and Common Coun-
cil, to enable them to ipprove and grant Leases in
Moor-fields.

Orderelto lie on the table.
CATHOLIC QUESTION.
Mr. CANNING rose to give notice of his intention,
before the conclusion of the presNlt Session, to bring
a subjeal before the House, which heAvas aware had
been already under its consideration this Session.
Fr(4ll the 'Complexion of the Debate, however, •he
was induced to think, that it would not be difficult
to persuade the House to recommend to the Execu-

tive Government, to take the suhjed under its con-
sideration in another form. He alluded to the

penal laws affeaini his Majesty's Catholic subjects.
The nature of the Motion which he should subunit
would be an Address to the Pince Regent, praying
that he would take the subject, into consideration
during\ the recess, especially with a view to ascer-
tain the nature and extent of the securities which
would be necessary to fence the Established Church,
in case it should be deemed.expeidient, that further
.concessions should be granted. A Call of the House
*having been fixed for Wednesday, the 27th, he
should tale the day following, which_: happened to
be an open day) for his motion.
The House then went into a Committee on the
Orders in Council.

Two Wil'nesses from Shefk+i►l were examined,
after which the House resumed—the Chaiiman se-
ported progress, and obtained leave to sit again to'-
morrow (this day).
USHER OF THE BLACK ROD.
Mr. TIERNEY wished fur some information re.
speciing the salary, fees, and other emoluments of
the Usher of the Black Rod.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER knew no-
thing about the office, or emoluments of it, and it
the Right Honourable Gentleman was desirous of
information, he might, make a motion on the
subject.

PROPERTY TAX.
Sir T. Tußrorr rose to submit- a motion respea-
ing the present mode of assessing persons for' their
income. The Honourable Baronet adverted to the
tax as originalty broughi forward—it then being de-
scribed as-a means of supporting the State, to which
every personwasliable to his ability, above 601., a
year up tot 501. from which sums certain all:.wances
were wanted, but there were no allowances above
2001. a year. fie objeeled to the lowness of the
scale, which, unlike the original tax of 1803, now,
begins with forty shillings a year, funded property,
out of which modicum ten per cent. was dedu4ed.,
The mechanic who earned his 355. per week was
also subjed to the tax. So that the pressure was
very unequal ; for llkise in the higher ranks of life
paid no more in proportion than the lowest mecha-
nic. He had various cases of hardship tp detail,
which he had received in the course of the last six-
or seven years. The Honourable Baronet proceed-
ed at considerable length to expatiate on the•injustice
of making the possessor of a life annuity of 2001.
and the pr,oprietor of a freehold worth cool. per an-
num, contribute equally to the property tax. He
coaiplairod of the exemptions allowed to foreigners,

and `st6tea, a variety acme; io which 4hB opera•lon
of-the.tat we, such ac loudly tti,Call for the pruning
knife. if th.e,R.ght Honourable 'Gentleman (the
Chancellor of the. Exchequer) would giire hini any
hopes of a Select Coaintittee being appointed to in-
.quite into the merits of the case, or if .he '.voutcl
even promise to g4Te his attention to the subjeat, lie
(Sir Thotirts Turton). wonld most %Wing)), ‘vith-
draw his motion. He conCladed by tuoving asa Re-
solution, that the property tax, from the inequality
of its operation on the ntiddlitt and lower class s
of the community; Was unjust, and that the exemp-
tions allowed to loreignerS were unwise and itnpro—
per.,_

NO one roseio second the motion of the I4on. Ba-
ronet, apd,conse,quently the IL-solution proposal
was not put from the Chair.'

Mr. BENNETT wished to know if the Chancellor
of the Exchequer had any- objedion to al,swer a
question he had to put, as to whether or pot he
would oppose the produttion of a copy of the -ap-
pointment of the Deputy,Usher of the Black Rod,
with accounts of the sutrA paid to that Officer within
the last ten years ?

The CHANCELLOR (f (he EXCHEQUER COUld not
immediately state whether or not such a motion
could be obje&ed to, relating, as'it did in some sort,
to an individual 'now no more; but the Honourable
Geollennani could, if he
,pleased, give notice of
such_ a motion for to=morrow. This, he:con-
ceived, would answer his purpose in every point of
view.

Mr. WHITBREAD postponed his motion for 'Ante
ticJn Papers, to ihe 2t it inst. •

SUITORS IN CHANCERY.

Mr. M.--A. TAYLOR again called the-attention of
the House Tb this snhjeti. He stated a\; great length
what was the nature of his views, and what had
been the effe9 of the.vArious motions which had at
different times been made for the relief of Suitors
in Chancery. The peculiar hardsh-ips under which
they Jab,iured.he placed in a strong point of- view,
and represented the advantage 4 which would result
from allowing the Committee on -the subject to ex-
amine tho,e who, from the.situations they occupied
in the Court of Chancery, were qu:ilified to attbrd
information with respect to the tine cause of the
existing delays. He concluded by moving—
" That it be a special instruelidn to the Committee ap-
pointed to inquire into the causes which have retarded the
decision of suits in t!;e High Court of Chaucer), to examine
persons poetising at the bar of that Court, as Well as Soli.
citors practising in the said Court, touching the causes of
'

Mr. MORRIS obieaed to thus bringing the Bench
to the Bar, and making the Bar sit on the Bench ; a
step which could be justified only by a very extra-
ordinary necessity. If the House acceded to the
motion, they would place the Gentlemen at the Bar
ofthe Court of Chancery in .a situation of delicacy,
in 'which they ought not to be placed. He pane-
gyrised the conduct of the Lord Chancellor, whose
decisions were almost invariably. satisfaelorY, and
whose-only fault perhaps was, that •he was more dis-
trustful of his own judgment than any other person
was. The delay complained of arose frOin the pro-
digious increase of business, and the union, in the
person of one individual, of the offices of Lord Chan-
cellor and Speaker of the House of Lords. 'The
question how far these offices' ought to be separated
was one of state policy, on which the persons de-
scribed in the motion before the House were not..
competint io give an opinion.
Mr. ABERCROMBIE denied ,that the motion in-
volvedlany attack 'on the Lord Chancellor. The
documentary evidence before the Committee was
-insufficient to enable them to ascertain the cause of
the delays in the Chancery Court, and it was there-
fore desirable to examine persons whose. habits qua-
lified them to give the necessary information.
Sir W. LEMON thought that as the House had gone
so far as to appoint a Committee, they ought to give
that Committee all posssible means of bringing their
labours.to a satisfactory termination.
Mr. SIMEON declared that he had had the honour
to know the present Lord Chancellor, during the
-whole course of his professional life,' and bore the
highest testimony to the juditill as well as to the
professional excellencies of 'the Noble and Learned
Lord. s He opposed the motion on the ground that
the doctimentary evidence afforded a sufficient elu-
cidation of the causes witch retarded the disposal _
of the arrears in the Court of Chancery.
Mr. M. A. TAYLOR made a short- reply, in the
ccittrge of which, he stated that he should deceive.
the world, if he did 'lra say, that it-would be
possible for the Committee to ascertain the real
cause of the delays, unless they were' permitted to
examine, persons' intimately conneded- with the
Court of Chancery.
The House then divided.

For the motion
Against it _ _

M a joriry

. 26
. 85
• -64

COM\HTTEE OE -SUPPLY..

On the motion of Mr. W. POLE, Resolutions for
-the Grant of the following Sums were put arid
cart ied

s),0001. To the Commissioners of First Fruits.
'6,1651. To the Commissioners for making Wide Streets
in the City of Dublin.

1,20.1. For Betraying the expence of Printing 250 Copies
of the Public Aas.
2501. To the I nspeStor-General of Imports and Exports,
and the usual remuneration to the various Public Offices.

•
Mr. WHARTO moved, in the same Committee;
for 5,365,0001. and 1,384,0001. (or paving off Ex-
cheglier. Bills, and for the sum of 1,700,0001. for
discharging the interest on Exchequer Bills.
The usual grants for printing the Journals, &c.
were also voted, and the report ordered to be‘recti'v'-
ed to-morrow.

Mr. H. MARTIN poitponed the Admiralty Regis-
trars' Bill to Fiiday -be'nnight.
The Securities Bill was Lead a third time, and
passed.

- The Report on the Bankrupt Members Bill .was
taken further consideration, and the Amendment
agreed to.

—The Riot- ASR Amendment Bill was read a se-
cond time, and
_ordered to be committed to,
morrow. , .

The Excise Superannuation Bill was read a third
time, and passed.

The CHANCELLOR of, the EXCHEQUER brought in
a Bill for the better prevention of the administering
of unlawful oaths. It was ordered to be read a se-
cond time to-morrow.
The other orders of the day were then disposed
of, a4d the house adjourned tilKta-morrow.

MINUTES. OP ERDENCE,'
TAKEN BEFORE THE COMMITTEE THE WHOL
•

HOUSE, TO WHOM IT WAS REFERRED, TO COWL.
DER OF THE SEVERAL PETITIONS, A IIICH HAVE

BEEN yEESENTEI) TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,

IN THIS SESSION OF PARLIAMENT, AGAINST THE

ORDBRS IN COUNCIL.

Wl . .
ercurii, 2g9 die Alisilig, 281 g.
THOMAS BABINGTON,gsq. in the Char,

Mr. Ilitom As ATT WOOD, called,,in and examined..
Are you High Bailiff of Birminghani ?—I am.
Row long have you filled ilia! situation ?—Aboat
six months.
In what line of business ale you ?—A banker, in
Birmingham.
Are you vOnneEted with the iron trade ?-1. am.
Are you. particularly connected with the
trade am. -

Can you slate what May be the population of
Birmingham, and the neighbouring man,,facturing
districts ?—The populatioreof Birmingham and the -
neighbouring manufacturing districts is near four
hundred thousand souls.
Can you state how many of these are engaged in
the different branches of 'the iron an brass trade;
peculiar to Birmingham ?-z.The wholf popula-
tion of Birmingham and, the neighboniing ma,
nufacturing districts are intinerely .connected
gether, and are all employed in hardwares and in
de4criptionsof manufactures: I can hardly
say what proportion of the 40;4,000 are employed
in the iron trade; but I should contrive at least
50,000 souls are employed in the manuf,ottire of
iron, and in the prodikainn of coals and minerals for
the manufactures of Birmingha n, and withiu
• .
miles of Birmingham. •
By 50,000 souls employed, do you mean .50,000
workmen actu.ally.emyloyedin the iron rade and .
the 0,1116 subservient to it ?—I mean men, women,
and children. -
Employed in the hat) trade, and trades suliAer-
vier), to it ?—Yes, in the trades Origipating in the
iron:trale and subservient to it. •
Besides the iron trade, what are the other linep.
of trade known to Birmingham ?—The priecipat
manufactures of Birmingliatn are, brass-foundries,
buttons, jewellery, gold and silver plated ware, and
hardware of every description.
Do you know what part of the population may
be' employed in the brass-fotindry trade ?—T,ie
brass•foundry trade is confined almost to the town
cif Birmingham; I should consider that about
10,0947 individuals were employed in that species of
manufa6ture only.
Are the villages which you have mentioned in the
neighbourhood of Birmingham, and within fifteen '-
miles,
chiefly-employed in the branches of the iron
trade.—The manufactories within fifteen miles of
Birmingham ate chiefly occupied in the different '
branches of the iron aid cual trade, and trade, aris-
ing out of those, such as locks and hicges, and
hardwares of every description.
With what branches of these trades are you,ear.
Ocularly acquainted, from your situation in Birfoing-
ham
.am intimately-.acquainted with th
-.trade in all its branches, and with the nail trade;
the other trades .of Birmingham and its ne:Obour.
hood I know principally from rny personal acquaint.
anee.and my situation in life.
By your situation in life, do you mean as a hanker,
and as High Biiliff ?—I mean as a banker.
What proportion of the inhabitants of Birming-
ham and neighbourhood aoyou believe to be ern-
ploYed,in the nail
,branch of the iron,trade ?—I
have no doubt- that 30,000 souls ate employed in
the Manufaalure of nails, within fifteen'miles of Bir-
mingham.
In Birmingham, itself, and within , fifteen 'miles ? •
—Yes, within L 5 miles; I speak within b'iunds
when I say 30,000; ii may be 50; I know all the
nailing districts, I have resided in those.'distrias from
my infancy.
How long have you been engaged in business in
Birmingham ?—About twelve years.
Are the other branches of your family engaged in
the iron business 17-They'ate all engaged in the iron
business, the steel business) th-e nail business; aed. •
other branches of the' iron ttade.
Can yon state to the Committee whether the dif-
ferent branches of the iron trade with winch )eu
are acquainted, as you have described; are at pre-
sent in 'a flourishing state. ?—Eve-ry blanch of the
iron trade is in a deplorable state ; the liist branch
of the iron trade, which- is-the smelting o pig iron",
till within these tcvo rears, was in a tolerable coniti- •
tion ; all other branches of the iron trade are note
in a dreadful condition,' the master ti6taitacturets -
are turning off their wotkineo, and they do hot find
any profit whatever in any br mch of the trade;
even the smelting, that till within these two years
atiOrded some degree of profit, now affords no pro
lit whatever.

You say that this has been kx it bin these last two
years that the trade has been in what: ou descritr
as a deplotable state; precious to such last two
years, were any such appearances observed in the
irort trade of BirminghaM ?—The iron trade within
fifteen miles of Birmingham, about seven years an,
was in a 'flourishing condition ; about three or four
years ago it declined, and several of toy own family,
among others, •eec:ined the trade ; and since that
time, very many other respectable .rriatinfaCturerfr
have declined the tr.tde, 'and their workmen are
thrown out
.cif employment, and'are seeking it in all
parts of England.

- Do you know whether the different persons ell:.
gaged in the iron trod:- hare lately dismissed a num-
ber of their workmen ?—I know that great numbers
of workmen have been dismissed wit hit? the last •12
months ; I know also that the labourers that tw.-ke
monOs ago could obtain 'in the iron-works 20s. a
we( k, cannot now obtain more than I Os. or I 2;;. and
hundreds of them are to be hat! at 12s. a week.
Since what ,time is it th.rt this number,of work-
men have been dismissed, and that these rates f
work have been diminished ?—Wit bin thelast twelve
months a more serious Change haslaken place, than
had tabiren place tviihin the last four or five years.
(To I.:e continued.)

---
PIOAULT Bttutsr, the ,celebroted author of
"-Monsiepr Botte" and '! Mon Uncle Thomas," has
gist produced a new romance, entitled " One Mace-
doine." The powers of this writer are wg known,
and the public rnly therefore- ex;ied, as usual,
fun.d.ofieotertainment horn this new effort of his ct,

.1

LAW 'REPORT.

COURT OV KING's BENCH, MAY 6.

THE KING V. THE JUSTICES OF GLOUCESTER-

SAIRE.

The
.ATTORNEY-GENERAL shewed cause against
this rule, which caAeh upon Otte defendants to shew
cause why a mandamus"shOuld 'not issue,to them,
commanding t ()canto administer the oaths to Thomas.
Standtast- Britton, and John Packcr,i and to permit
them, to make and subscribe the deClaration required -
under the statute :1 W. and M. C. 8, commonly
called the Trleration Act. The. Attorney,General-
proesed his anxious 'wish' to follow up the spirit of
that Ad,-and to gi%e its qualifications to everybody
whom any rational man .could VLiSh to see in pos-
session on them ; but be thOught they might fairly
lye wit hirld• from those who coulll give no satisfac-
tory aCecunt;.wirV they wished to be invested With
their flowers. The present application was founded
upon the eighth sedion of the statute, which enact-
ed, :that " -no person- dissenting from the Church
of England, in ' holy orders, or pretended holy
orders, or pretending to holy orders; nor any
preacher or teanher of any congregation of dis-
senting Protes'ants„ that shall make and sub-
sCribe the deefiration mentioned in the stat.3o Car.ll
st. v. c. t. (against Popery) and rake the oaths men:-
tioped in the star. tW: and M.;•c. (concerning
the dispo! c. slaws, of that Parliament), at the Ge-
nera, Qu trier S;ssions of the Peaci-, to be hold
for the county, to ivri, parts; or division, where such
person fires, ;which Court is hereby empowrered, to
administer 'the same,' and bliould declare his appro-
bation tit tltid subscribe tie articles of religion men-
tioned its the siatote 13 ZilZ except the 34tii,
35th, 86,1 i, alta certain words of the 20th article,
shall be it.bie to any of the oains and penalties melt-
tione.Y it) th, ,tat. 17 Cdr. 11. c. 2. and 13 Car. 1,1. .
c. 4,, for 'officiating in ant congregation for-the
exercise of religion permitted ald allowed by this
Act." It never could he contended, that the de-
scription of persons who otigh( wane this c` aim ex-
ter-dt-d to all enankind. -11-tno%ed at a distance from
the into' of pirs-ing this Ati, and unacqtkainted"witic
the tln ()logical controversies of that day,it was ditiict it
for tfteAt toraey-General to define who were contetn-
plated by the Ad ; but the statute to C.,!0. •
c. 44. " for the farther relief of Piotrstant Dissent-
ing Mmistera and SchorThnasters," alter reciting the
conditions upon which the toleration was tendered
" persons dissenting from Aire Church of -Eng-
! ;rid in holy orders, or pretended holy orders, or
pretending to holy ordcrt, litid preachers or teachers
of any congregation of D:ssenting Protestants," arid_
that " many soch persons scrupled to declare.their
aoprobatioo of, and to _subscribe the artiees of
Jeluired to be subscribed by the Toleration
Am-, writ " for giving ease to -such scrupulous per-
sons," enacted, " .that every person dissenting from
- tire (Atwell of England, i 9 holy ordersii or pretended
holy orders, or pretending to holy orders, bcing a
teacher or preacher ofiarry Congregation of Dissent..
in Protestants. %Ito, if he scrupled to declare -and
subscribe as aforesaid, slice Id take • the oaths, and
make and subset the the dtclarat ion against popery;
required by the said Ad t W. and Itil. ; and should
also make and Albscribe".3 certain declaration thereiP
mentioned, shout.; be toptilledur all the, exemptions,
benefits, pr v,hrges, and advantages, granted to
Protestani D.ssenting Ministers, by the said Ad
l W. aid IM. and by ioSA tO Anne, c. 2. &C.
Tlr spirit of toleration was certainly more frvourable
nters in the igth-Geo. 3, than in the Ist AV:
and M. .tad the ebjects of relief were meant to be
extende by the 'Act of -the former reign ; but yet
the words of that Ad plainly shewed, that the Le-
gislaturecoosaered-the Toleration Ad as extending
only to such. Dissenters in holy orderS, &c. as were
also teaCht,.rs of congrrgarions ; and it was fit that
there should be some such restraior upon the exten-
sion of this priailege, and that it should not be open
to every wild man, absolved from the rules which
bind the regular clergy, and whom a perverted un-
derstanding ;art persuaded to be in possession of 'a
call from he Aren, to set himself up as a teacher of

the rest or mankind: It never could be the inten

ikon of the Legisliture to countenance the preaihi,g
or discourses 01 these enthusiasts; and the Attorney
General was asserting the'rights of the Dissenters,
whom he chiraMetised as a rational and well-dis-
posed set of 'men, •in separating therrilrom those
fanatics, "tit ho, without either wit,. or. learni-g, or
sense; pretei.ded to a ad! from heavew; and who.
were trim that would cast no lusfre upon the talents'
and piety of the Dissenters as a body.---He there-
fore tistd the Aa of 19 Geo.- 111. as 'a key to the
construttion of the Toleration Att ; and argued, that
• such claiinant, as the present must first be the teachers
of separate congregations. Tie interests of the
public would not be consulted in granting the pp-
plicdnt a-license to teach, when there t as-toevi-
.-denCe before the Court (hit a single person desired
to be taught by him. The Attorney-General had a
ditheulty in construing the meaning of the words in
the Toletation Aa ; but
_the Gentlemen on the
s'ide would contend, that they had-no mean-
ing at all. They insisted that 'all men who chose
.to say they fell within their meani-ng, did so fall.
If applicants needed not to have a separate congre-
gation, he' words of the Act ought to have- tun :
diss,nters in holy orders, or preieuded holy
orders, or pretrnding to holy orders; and all other
persnus whatsoever,:' It lay on the other side tQ
_spew, that the applicant=, came :within one of the
•.doscript ions et the Act : they asserted 'fit the Sess'ons,
that they retended to hdy orders: they were
refused there : and now they came to this C.urt

ettid asserted the same. Would the Court require
nothing -more than this assertion? The woods
pretending to holy ord,fts -must mean something.
Give them any construction ; let them ,Oew how
they pretend to holy. orders. Holy orders were not
a mere act of their own 'hind.; they trust have re.
ttived--thern, tram somebody : ordination implied
Eo;t1 e t invested; or Communiatedlrorn another
quarier 5 and no other quarter was pretended as the
fountain of ofdinanOn.
,The convi.l:tion in their
own mind %tilt trfey were ordained by bod,- was the
proposition which the Attornsy-Genetal, had
to exclude. 17. e likened this to the case of.a claim-
ant-tit be a member of 'a corporation. Would the
,Court grant anlondaninsi upon his swearing that
he was a capital burgess? They would require tb