The Sun.
London, England, 1829-11-24 00:00:00

DOVER, Nov. 23.

Arrived from CALis his Majesty's steam packet, 5416-
mander, Captain Hamilton, with his Serene Higbee°
Prince Leopold, accompanied by Sir Robert Gardiner.
His Highness was received by the Commandant of the
Garrison, Colonel Gosset, and a Guard of Honour from
Royal Brigade, under the command of Major Logan) sr'
landed undr a salute from the Western Heights. He ift
ceeded for London early in the afternoon with Sir Ho"""
Gardiner and Sir H. Seton, and was again saluted.
all
The lodging
the summer, continue to be for the most houses here, which have been well filled ed ,
part ocemr the
and we Lye reason to think will remain so during
~ss
winter. Lords Dunally, Orford, Byron, Sir ,i.O
Tyrwhitt; Ladies Mordaunt, Ryecroft, Catharine I,°"'
&c. &c. are of the number of visitors that continue W (*.
cupy houses on the Marine Parade.

On the night of Saturday, the Ist of 1.45,"
vernber, a burglary was committed in the house Of
NEWMAN, Esq., near Salisbury. Much property tea-
carried off, but fortunately, a few days since, the burglar
was detected and fully committed for trial at the Dalt
Wilts Assizes.
aln
ATTEMPT TO MURDER.—A few days "--e„
1
a man named MARSHALL, who keeps a small hode'la
warehouse, in a fit of intoxication attempted to murder
-
watchman, named GASICELL, and a surgeon narneelJra';
He has been lodged in the Old Bailey, until be'
wounded individuals are pronounced out of danger' c
Lieut. CHARLES HENRY ACHERI.Y7
Majesty's ship Ocean (son of J. H. AenEaLva
barrister), now in the Mediterranean, and forming a pf",,
of the fleet under Sir PULTENEY MALCOLM, IRIS bee
presented by the Paella of SMYRNA with a firtnin!
sprinkled with gold dust, which empowers him to travel
through every:part of the Turkish dominions.—Morn Pap.
It is quite true that Mr. GRANBY CAL,
camar has commenced proceedings in the Ecclesiastics'
Court against his wife.— Globe —The lady, we believe,
ia
Miss LOVE, a singer at one of the Theatres.— Times.
The Spaniards having lately intruded on the
ire":
French territory, by sending armed men beyond the
tiers, to arrest some individuals, it is announced that do!
affair is to be treated diplomatically, and that the Prefec,;
of the Pyrenees Oriectales has informed Count d'Ess'aGt"
of this circumstance, that he might stop any subseque°
measures against the persons who have been arrested.-'
French Paper.
Westminster Abbey
and
m dilapidation,uch
of,
the
interiormutilation, aonfd filth i
Nothing can equal the disgraceful state °,
n
sent.—Morning Paper.
On Monday, a fine specimen of green Pe,
was gathered by a gentleman of Sheffield, in his o°o g 6
den, sufficiently large for the family dinner.
lsoe
The new Comedy announced at Drury'
is from the pen of Lord GLENGALL. tines'
A very brilliant meteor was seen on V e,btee
day evening in this city, by a gentleman, for about '.OO
bablieythare ecja°tiePtreel-
minutes. It moved slowly' in the heavens in dvire'Lit 0f
from south to north, when it burst in two, and 1°- °
sight.— Carlisle Patriot. ,en.
t in
There is some prospect of an improce',„
the Bath road out of Worcester, by which the it;e1;; gstie
dangerous hill immediately after passing the Turn
will be avoided, by carrying the road along the 10° 1)40'
to the right, and uniting it with the old line at $O,OO.
which will admit of a very gradual aseent.—athydaY,
A melancholy accident occurred on pro"
on hoard the ship Eliza, of Greenock, as she svAalhlie
ceeding down the river, on her voyage to Janialea' t
off the Bay of Quick, one of the boys had been Sept
re h
for the purpose of loosing the mizen top-sail, but before
to
could do so, he had to loose and trace, or makefaa.soall'
another part of the rigging—the top-mast-studdingti it
boom. Through some accident, he lost hold of it, ai',o
came down endways, and struk Mr. ALEXANDER 13iit
who was standing on deck, onc the head. with such Wetl lijo
as to penetrate the brain, and literally to force on
boat
right eye. He was immediately put into the ship
„I his
and sent ashore, but before he was landed lie breathe of
last. He was a young man, about 25 veers of age'age
steady habits; he was Master of the Trusty lugguta
steam-boat, and had gone on board the Eliza for the Pia
pose of bidding farewell to his brother, a seaman belle.
to that ship, when the unfortunate occurrence took Pa.
In the Gazette des Trihunaux there Pe,
curious trial for crim. con., in which a M. CeanT jay
his wife and her paramour sentenced to three monthf
tor'
prisonment, after a trial which excited a good deal 0 hthe
riment in the Court from the novel mode in Wine. al*
plaintiff obtained conclusive evidence of the offenc
nee.day
st
COROT hid been from home, and returned one fi
stator
one o'clock, when, having waited some time in the
b
room for his spouse, he thought of proceeding to heurroale
ro. Hing. fd the door locked, and being. 011
toom t au av
answeroun from within, he bethought hiln t, 00,
looking through the key-hole, when to his borrov. el °`
amazement he saw two persons in his bell ! insdp-r3, ,
taking any immediate steps to dislodge the intrui; ttr
quietly went down four pair of stairs, and asked tnaesvit"
two persona whom he met on the street to ascel;oooor'
him, and be witnesses of his misfortunes and (1° laud'
The three, after some parley', mounted to 11 an` (1°
room, when the invader was again sumnionned ,d
obi,
der. After much knecking, Madame GIRO' oPen`cao ,
door, protesting there was no other person in tl!e
M. COROT'S key-hole survey had, however, told Inn",aoo,,
wise, and lie was resolved that his two witnesseeae,aige,i
not have been called in vain. On searching the P wee
010 riali
the paramour waa discovered, to the confusion,
- fee- leo
both the dame and himself. Mad. C. made fight "taalj'thr
nate on her vigilant spouse in Court, called 00 ilex Ode of
and we it.
hr
t. The male defend .nt, who La! atvollacaeettl'
lady by his military mustachios, protested his j Vet late
But ato
the injury lie was doing to M. COROT
tines were of no avail. Ile was not only fa.ntertics.
months' imprisonment, but to a fine of 10°

CHURCH REFORM, BY A CHURCHMAN,

We are disposed to think the present, days of singular,
Perhaps even of unexampled interest, to England ; whether
h be the natural love of an over-strained excitement, glad,
tt length, to find repose from turbulence; or that, by the
concurrence of external circumstances, matters of quieter
tantideration have, in their turn, occupied the public
kind, and party has at length lost its violence. For our
sWn part we are well inclined to avail ourselves of so
favourable a conjuncture to argue in favour of individual
Ind personal convictions, as they stand opposed to col-
lective and corporate dictations ; in other words to dis-
eourage and deprecate whatever may fairly come under the
denomination of that word of evil omen, " party"—if not
gravely to propose that the term itself be expunged from
our vocabulary. Never, we are of opinion, did a spirit of
Patient, sober, and penetrating inquiry more largely
abound or promise richer and riper fruits than at this
moment. And it is curium to observe how many things,
*hie!' but a few years since, were deemed so sacred that
tven to breathe a suspicion of their soundness would sub-
lest the bold disputant to the charge of disaffection to-
w/arils Church and State, if not of want of moral prin-
ciple itself, are now quietly conceded ; and how general
k reaching forward there is to a more intrinsically perfect
tondition of our various institutions than has hitherto been
hssnteniplated. The universal spread of instruction is, be-
and all doubt, contributory to this happy result, and the
:kt is an answer to a hundred of those objections to its
1 'lngress which are daily stated without producing any
ssoviction; or, at Atri l, pise iction con-
plated ; for whilst it cis readilye concededconv that so con-
ono a change in the intellectual habits of the people
, %not Possibly take place without frequent irregularity,
a*ithout, indeed, occasional positive evil too palpable to he
denied a far more than equivalent satisfaction ie derived
ft-ta Observers that the whole mass is progressive on the
Path of in, r
tile int P ?vernent ; and. .
that to the universality, not
I.ruPtton of the principle, are we too look for a cure
mail of the mischiefs complained of.
We are very far from asserting—to return from this
Zgression to a former position—that party was guilty of
krnalioe prepense," in hanging upon the wheels of im-
, ttosenaent ; or that principles, at any given time, fit to be
lit(1 Pon, must always be so, under whatever varying
pat,?crnatimees. No doubt it was often constrained to de-
-1 I,.`r°rn the middle line of truth by the violence of con-
t:3 ton
e ,; and, often under the necessity of delaying or
-8
ether opposing measures, really good in them-
te4„,
I, lest concasione at an unlucky moment should
titrengthen the hands of a combination, felt ton bee in its
liebaleral bearings prejudicial. It is not altogether impos-
e, moreover,
treatat
bosodin..ethpi.ng
, that in certain contingencies, party may
of a beneficial influence, if not over the
kg ahti 1 of its adherents—at least, over the more think-
it fo ••leading
portion,—those, who having to marshal.
h.! contest and victory, are interested to inquire and in-
ctinte, and thus eventually may prepare the way for
iwat more temperate, almost healthy state of mind, which
tit ha" spoken of as so strongly characterizing our own
hnt°,„ea* We think this has been recently verified. Whether,
~,,;ever, we are right or wrong in pretending to discover.
kooca! the fact is certainly indisputable that inquiry. is
at
nn into most of the questions which have a more direct
tisi-eeticin with our religious, moral, and political con-
,l,,°n, and we will endeavour briefly to prove that it is
.°:eciing under favourable auspices.
have
s.des that the "earthquake" and the " fire" li4sed,
ion. and the "still small voice" of calm judgment is
..
kt;i"eard, there is that national confidence in the ability,
l--
views, and honest intentions of our rulers, which
k:itablothe aPprehensions even of the most timid as to thke
!wound Jesuit of the large body of speculation atwo
~tio_ hem, and which would reconcile them to the very
ic?ges, not to be effected without distrust and discontent,
siti,tldeed, without danger, under the auspices ofrulers, less
l'lngUigheci fo
knon r good sense, candour, and
la on.. gst other proofs of this spirit of improvement being
Ceil,a,i°4 may be enumerated the following :—The
seen n'ei:,-..'f'oso, any interference with which has long
,41d i.-grnatised as, at least, hazardous, if not positively
sise'nes°l: bag at length undergone very important re-
The it::e Probable forerunner of others still more marked.
lee -"ilk's relating to juries have been subjected to a
it ere correction. Those prohibiting usury are occupy-
titttheir share of attention, and evidently likely to be
4 tr
11 repealed or remodelled. New and sound principles
ift„,,,ai°ll and calculation have been supplied for the con-
t'V those very essential and now common ingredients
igo;:c Poor man's comfort and respectability, " Friendly
*eri "Parliamentary Commission is at this mo-
linut . eB. A
tie- in into the expediency of abolishing the
~mup-
i 2Pallireficature of one integral part of the British Ism-
e' Witte% Some considerable change in our Game
1%04'11 ii manifestly ripening, and a simplification of our.
skoPieat and expensive,
and for those precise reasons in.
Lrree rr° of 4' conveyancing," will probably follow, if
itipecian any trust in the " signs of the times," more
lidva, Y as they are indicated and embodied in the open
Thacy of reform by a few able and distinguished men.from
Ithein "e are legislative measures, and if we pass illti a the less Public haunts of life, we shall alsothoerfecom.
Itioti gr.eat body of thought busied upon points . i
It 4" tnatnediate interest. Now the age is the advance(
of tht.e vsorld,ivilization and luxury have proceeded
'sn'e Of taiglit be presumed beforehand that the aggre-
ska "i one national sentiment would be in favour of per-
ioe f illatligenee, that it would seek a still further ei.rten-
, 0 ,uxutio
Ike-quer and us refinement, having no sympathy with a
4 more self-denying philosophy; but this
Cam. w•' is not
tion before
itleerted bether it be that the universal educe
40dy ~, taf has called into action the faculties of a vast
tettoot' our citizens, hitherto obeying impulse rather thank
44 ten, or acting upon the dictation of others, and as
4 e'reated a more than equal counterpoise to the
Olin°,
t'lll 3 Of the few till then deemed national, because the
Y one • .
kali - Intelligibly expressed, we do not know ; but cer-
la the various changes already perfected and those now
t agitation,o,or
p do appear to us to be from a more artificial to
14rceivii,nzpie state. And, if we are correct, then the can
toilet ' "e Wrong in hailing them as an augury that the
Ittiol,..rY Possesses in itself a power and a will of -pontaneous
h ii‘.tion, and that it is at this very period applying them.
Itio._tunPossible to deny that the open recognition of re-
s,..urzbligation is mightily increased. Nothing appears
ti,ll7el re sat:sfactorily to prove this than the conditiono
lager iessreY*
, 11Iosr of us remember the time when the
s they ridicule was wont to be pointed at those, especially.
dpr ahio happened to be young, who sat about
their
Note', With an„ e
-.7 anew of earnestness. Now, contempt,
kii() Irma n,„,..„
' --urla of his own age, will be usually found to
It' vs the lax and negligent pastor. Public opinion,
lt:lrief.ore, is
not without its best, and richest leaven.
tr lot's" more or less enters into it ; and renders it more
It -
n,W°rtby of confidence.
th - as Perfectly natural that, in such a state of things,
Lc character
..
:ad 5h0,„,,, and condition of our own Church of Eng-
m'inen, "' come under review. In the first place, its pro-
N,,..,-Yi as a mere national institution, would entitle it to
I,lteration. In the next place, the religious spirit afloat
aw=ed "UntrY, could not LB to speculate upon the auth-
like Vehicle of religious instruction. And lastly, certain
kj4,l42l4lents had been long nit to be so absolutely requi-
-41. els:,T,lsgb either they had not been publicly advocat.ed,
;hence 'nue, suggestion at once frowned or whispered into
4Py cisiotnat the moment discussion could proceed, with
,lirented net:),f a candid bearing, it was quite certain to be
~uang 1-A'ae great question of temperate and healthy
fag ee*l, And as an index to the state of the public mind
'set 0)(•"e mistaken, we have before us, at this moment, the
t 1 there having just issued from the press a book upon
it Itch RR - the it isgenerally
401" Foitat, from pen, as .
411,4 ' of an amiable and respectable, but certainly, also,
keg :ft:41110(10x and sober-minded Clergyman. When
red * this l " • f in " we think that
re%
ro stamp no longer refrain," ra ,
tiled nat be and must have been felt to be, imperatively
t for '
1 We *
Ulla Pr°Polle to devote the remainder of this paper to
, to kblieation
%halt • , or rather to the thoughts it is calculated
aoula , and, assuredly, topics of more vivid interest
no .
,s, eau Possibly present themselves to our mind.
nottnrch, properly so called, is authorized and gua-
fc by both scripture and reason.
tere,l,_ religious
acts
must be kept alive, and. fos.-
la h.,7 the religious act. Or, were it possible, which it
li eeZtlaat it could exist without, still the latter is quite
PrtliedrY' as a sign and admonition to the yet unin.i-
It, Wh but the religious act has a peculiar strength in
toeo ell a°efaL Sympathywith others presents,. and
IL, Peratine •
gip to e gives energy to, what we do. Social wor-
' %Wei trol/a q• face of united revolution, in a good and holy
of
ma
ilenenlie3 and gainsayers. It takes away the edge
etttittoThi from the
profession of religion. By the visible
!that ki:ti.nn With us of fellow men, in a common, and
I;ein, 4,,',," high an interest, it enlarges our hearts to
',lino ." generally enhances our regard for " whatever
tito-esare bolt, lovely, and of good report." It fixes
Silo to and seasons" for duties, which else, with no public
'rat e„,,,g,..uide, no authorized witness to convict, might be
r (ls'eted, and then disused.
tatliresitli., ands Considerations, social worship was, from
tve,d .uaYs, constituted, and it was one of the few out.'
tit,
..ItUal
- p • 'Oen t ing it—and by that express testimony to
'4ll'in P c •---" Where two or three are gathered toge-
i,e ir, er,..
inci l .
services whit.
•h Ciantsx sanctioned by
his prac-
-1 seeiai tr'Y name, there am I in the midst of them." But
t'ilvt4i:r "ligregational worship, necessarily consisting of
"terned acts, such as praisiug, praying, singing,

reading regular rules, and regular persons, to enforce and
effect them, must of necessity form part of the system.--
And lastly, to repress jealousies, rivalries, and the other
ill consequences attendant, in the imperfect state of human
nature, upon separation, and distinction, and to combine
into one harmonious and effective whole, it became im-
portant to subject to the same rules, and common func-
tionaries, with local rules and minor officers, subordinate
to them, as many congregations, or as great a number of
Christian men, as possible, it being left to the sound dis-
cretion of " the King, and such as are in authority under
him," to determine, with reference to circumstances, and
with a strict and conscientious regard to " the maintenance
of religion and virtue"—to determine the precise bounds
of such a common uniform Church.

We see these principles recognized in the ecclesiastical
proceedings, of which the Acts of the Apostles relate the
history; and in the admonitions and directions of the
Epistles, and upon them our own Church of England is
grounded. Under the sanction of the Legislature she pre-
scribes a public worship, beautifully suited to the various
contingencies and necessities of man's life, in a certain
fixed form, in certain places, at certain times, conducted and
superintended by certain functionaries ; her ultimate ap-
peal being " to the law and to the testimony ;" not only
as the warrant for these, her general rules, and prepara-
tory outlines, but also for the fillings up, and substantial
details. Now it is very certain that many of those lead-
ing doctrines and propositions of time Bible, which distin-
guish it as a peculiar, a Christian record, are capable of
more than one construction ; and in point of fact, have
been variously undo stood by various interpreters, all ap-
parently actuated by equal zeal in the pursuit of truth,
and equally fitted, by gifts of head and heart, fir its dis-
covery. That there cannot, in reality, be a variance, is
as certain as that there may be a difference. All the
senses contended for, and neither exclusively, being con-
tained, for instance, under the larger comprehensive head.
If we were called upon to account for the fact, we might,
with all humility, suirgest that something may be due to
the difficulty both of understanding, with unerring accu-
racy, a dead language, and of translating from it into pre-
cisely equivalent terms. Something, also, in certain in-
stances, to imperfect transcription, but a great deal more to
the incompetency of our present faculties to apprehend
what are offered to them designedly as objects of faith,
rather than of distinct apprehension, and to the intention
of their great author to turn and cherish in us a spirit of
candour and forbearance. May we not also, without pre-
sumption, indeed, with feelings of the warmest gratitude,
conceive the word of salvation to hate been constructed
with a view to the varieties of men's minds,—so that its
saving truths should have attractions for one under this
shape, and another under that; no " latitude" of interpre-
tation being absolutely disallowed, which does not militate
against the great end, " love towards GOD, and faith to-
wards our Lord JESUS CHRIST."

Let us, for the present, carry this reasoning into what
we are about to discuss, our Church, justly solicitous
that, within her own pale, at least, there should be cohe-
rency in her teachings, and, betwixt them and the Bible,
endeavour to secure this, by what she calls " Articles of
Religion," to be subscribed principally by her officiating
Ministers. They cannot, from the yery nature of things,
all possess that ability, which an instructor of others
ought, in very strictness, to have; nor all candour and
moderation ; nor all that singleness of heart which Gon
never permits greatly to err; it seems well, therefore; it
seems even necessary, that their line of teaching, as far as
it is personal, and their own, should be defined by certain
boundaries. But in fixing or continuing such boundaries,
some highly important considerations were, and are, ne-
cessary to be kept in view. We have supposed that seve-
ral constructions of one text might be true, though not
exclusively so. Now extreme caution should be used
in precisely defining the public faith of a Church and its
Ministers, not to pronounce dogmatically upon what the
Scripture itself hath left more at large; not to require
peremptory assent as matter of evidence to what may pos-
sibly not be affirmed in that sense ; not to substitute fal-
lible dicta of man for infallible ones of Gon, without service
or qualification.

Propositions, of undisputed plainness, may assuredly be
left in the Bible, under the general declaration that the
Church refers to that as to her rule of faith ; and must be
so left unless it is intended to attach to her Ministers, as a
body, the charge of wilful falsification ; for if they will not
teach what is indisputably clear, or if they distort it, they
are unworthy of trust or respect. Others, more ambi-
guous, it may be wise, it may be a duty, if the right ap-
prehension of them be " generally necessary," or generally
m inistrant, " to salvation," for the " avoiding diversities
of opinion" (as it is stated in King James's Preface to our
Articles), to draw out of it and affirm ; but these, in words
as nearly scriptural as is possible, and with a declaration
that she adopts the sense now affixed simply as, after pa-
tient and diligent search, her own, not as rejecting and
condemning every other as being absolutely untrue.
Once more—A national church should obviously be
calculated for the spiritual necessities of a nation. A
Christian Church affords as little opportunity as possible
for breach of unity. Now, bow stands our own in these
respects? Its Articles are thirty-nine. And the first ques-
tion which naturally occurs on the sight of such an aggre-
gate, is, "Is it possible that there can be so many as thirty..
nine points of belief—all disputable, and all likewise neces-
sary to be categorically pronounced upon ?" Now, it is first
to be observed, that under the term " Articles," are com-
prised propositions of very different weight; same upon
faith, properly speaking, others not : some, that is, de-
fining and declaring the substance of her minister's
TEACHINGS : others, what may be called the bye-laws or
regulations of the society. And it is certainly to be re-
gretted that they were not classed under separate heads ;
so that what concerns the "present need alone" might have
been at a glance distinguished from what was of perma-
nent, and essential, and intrinsic importance. Let it be
supposed, however, that twenty out of the thirty-nine are
of pure faith—and then let the question be applied
to this more limited number. A very cursory exa-
mination may furnish a present reply. " It is believed,"
says the third, " that Christ went down into hell."
Now can this be said to be one of the tornino points of
salvation ? or one necessary now to be dwelt upon, or se-
lected for enunciation ? And does it not in reality declare,
to our present apprehension, according to the present
meaning of words, a doubtful thing, if not a positive un-
truth ? The eighth affirms that " the three creeds ougbt
thoroughly to be received." But is not this again, by an
unseemly juxta-position, to place the traditions of Men
upon "something like an equality with the word, and
under the common point of reference—Faith ?" To be
sure, the Article goes on to state, that " they may be
proved by most certain warrants of Holy Scripture."
Still they are not Scripture itself. And the reason assign-
ed for their reception is insufficient. If the Athanasian
Creed can be verified by the Bible, it cannot certainly be
shown from the Bible, that Christians have authority to
pronounce those, who do not accept its positions, accursed.
We might, but will not, now, extend similar remarks to
others of the Articles : contenting ourselves with observ-
ing, by the way, that the first of all is headed by a word not
found in the Bible ; and which, by the very attempt at a
concise definition, does but create a new difficulty.
It is important to advert to the history of the Articles.
Tbey were composed in very different days--days when
English Protestantism was yet young and fresh, when the
Reformation bad not yet settled down into its present soli-
dity and quietness. Something to prevent the irregular
oscillation of the religious pendulum, this way or that,
might have been, and, in all probability, was necessary.
Add to which, that biblical knowledge had made but a
very small progress, numerically speaking, though, in a
few distinguished individuals, it had been carried to an ex-
tent altogether marvellous. And the experience of the
few, thus already advanced, might be, and most probably
was, essential, as a way-mark to the great majority, in a
field to be by the latter yet explored. But it is by no
means a necessary consequence of this that such, or, at all
events, the same guidance is needful, under quite diffe-
rent circumstances. When, for instance, civilization and
instruction have arrived at their present high pitch, and
when the Scriptures are in the general hand, and generally
read. Again, it is reasonable to demand, has time taught
nothing, which it might he wise, which it might be a duty
to engraft into the deductions of past ages? Articles,
themselves, are grounded upon an idea, that the greater
learning of some may serve to direct the lesser of others.
They presuppose gradations and proportions of acquire-
ment. But will any go the length of affirming, that in
all the long period which has elapsed since the year 1562,
no light has been thrown upon the Scriptures by the ad-
vancement of philology—critical and philosophical, by in •
qutry, by commerce with foreign—and, more especially,
Eastern nations?
It is remarlgable that BISHOP JEBD, in a treatise, ex-
pressly written in defence of the Articles and Liturgy, as
they now stand, observes upon the absurdity of imagining
that the enquirer of the 19th century is to begin and end
where the enquirer of the Ist century began and ended :
and yet both he himself, and all who contend for the un-
changeableness of our formularies, are guilty of this precise
absurdity.
The design of Articles is excellent : it is to prevent per-
plexity and disunion :—and there can be no manner of
question that, fur a season, our• own really did so :—and
that, without any unwise, or unfair interference with
Phristianity : any interference which was not counter-
balanced by a still greater gain. But this was when, as

we have just been saying, either famillaity With GOD's
word was rare, or Scriptural mass of the
people, had not been long enough, vat iou.ly enough, and
patiently enough, at work, ,0 be tru-tol with discretion
to dictate or pronounce; when ]shire of rational and
manly discussion were not yet forme —when discriminat-
ing masses of opinion had not taken shape or colour, and
weight of judgment could not he, from any inlelligible
indications, collected.

As guides therefore, they may seem no longer wanting,
when such a vast body of inquiry and intelligence is
brought to bear upon religious themes: for either they
treat of plain things, or they do not. If yes—then plain
things may be safely left in their original record, the
Bible. If no—doubtful things will hardly, under such
altered circumstances, conciliate honest assent : they will
continue doubtful still : and, being pronounced upon pe-
remptorily, will probably have the effect of preventing, it
may be, public official controversy within the pale of the
Church, so fenced about—but then, also, it is to be feared,
of sullying the purity, and blunting the edge, of many con-
sciences, obliged, humanly speaking, and with respect, to a
hard necessity of worldly circumstances, to conform to an
imposed test, and from preventing that Church of availing
itself, in days of mightily increasing religion, of that spirit,
and therefore arming her against herself.
Shall we prefer the phrase, " Articles of peace 9" As-
suiedly it is possible to conceal the fact, that our Church
has had, perhaps still has, though we are of opinion, in a
very diminishing degree, its Jansenists and its Jesuits—its
moral, and its evangelical Clergy, we mean no more than
a general comparison, dividing it in the very teeth of Arti-
cles and canons of uniformity—almost as much—saving
the point of absolute, locomotive dissent—as if they were
of different communions. The circumstance appears at
first sight to shew the inadequacy of our present system,
to prevent differences; but yet the necessity of setting
bounds in some way, to freedom of interpretation, ex
cathedrii—for here the grievance principally lies—in mi-
nisterial "liberty of propbecying." Let there once be
uniformity of sermon, as there is of Liturgy, and there is
peace; or a vast approxim ition to it. But how can this
be secured ? and so secured, as, if possible, to wound n •
honest conscience, to quench no laudable inquiries after
the truth, and to exclude, on account of any such safe-
guard, as few persons as possible ?

Now, the Liturgy, with the exception of certain por-
tions, of the Christian propriety of amending, er altogether
expunging which, we shall have to speak by and bye, has
a singular affinity with the words, style, and substance of
the Bible. It is undogmatical, if we may so speak, large,
Catholic. Most Christians could conscientiously worship
in it. Let us suppose that to be made the test. It has,
in the first place, far greater ambiguity than our Articles,
if that be a recommendation. It is admitted to comprise
all essential, all saving points ; or, to vary the phrase, as
many as cordially believed and honestly acted upon, will
save. Suppose it the pastoral, official, charge to
the Church Minister that he simply conformed him-
self to the Liturgy. Would that be complained
of? would more than that be required. Or sup-
pose an injunction added, that, although high and mys-
terious points were not to be avoided in sermons—(for if
they were, what would be their Christianity, what their
aptness to save ?) yet that, in adverting to them, preachers
should never go beyond, but should scrupulously use the
very words of the Bible ? Would this suffice—and why
should it not ? or must there be a more express declara-
tion of faith ? Once more, and at this position of our ar-
gument, let us consider the complexion of our own days.
There seems, unless we greatly deceive ourselves, to be
a tacit, hut very distinct recession, in the religious world,
from the extremes to the centre—ultra opinions, on
whatever side, are becoming moderate, from a grow-
ing persuasion, that in that centre truth will be
found—and candour, and charity, and rest. And can
any one doubt that the persuasion is just? So much for
Articles, whether of faith absolutely, or of faith with a
view to peace. With respect to those which we have
before adverted to, under the term by-laws, it set ma to
matter little whether they remain as Articles, or are in-
corporated into Canons. Perhaps, under the latter shape,
they might be less liable to misconstruction. However
and wherever stated, it seems important that they relate
simply to those municipal corporate duties, which the
Church has a distinct scriptural authority, general, or spe-
cial, to define and require; and that they leave personal
conviction and discretion as much at large as ccnsiats with
general safety.
_ _

Now, if our Church's opinions be represented by her
Liturgy, then is there no religious fellowship in the world,
so likely we believe, with very little alteration, to attract
towards it the body of the people. Whether that attrac-
tion shall be into, as well as towards, our sanctuary, must
depend upon other provisions, of which, however, as we
delight to persuade ourselves, there is no reason for de-
spairing to see adopted.
Let us now at once proceed to the Liturgy. And
here we do not hesitate to make our first stand at the
Athanasian Creed, as the point from which improvements
must commence. Our objections to it are indeed many.
To begin with its composition, it is at utter variance with
the exemplary and refreshing plainness of our other ser-
vices. Of the clergy few apprehend it—of the laity fewer
still—of the poor none. The bulk of its ideas are purely
scholastic—the bulk of its terms equally so. It defines
strictly what the Scripture has not so defined. It calls
upon a congregation to hear, and respond to, what as we
have been saving, it cannot possibly understand, as a con-
gregation. It occupies valuable time, by the recital of
propositions to which no hostility, requirirg this mode of
offensive, or defensive warfare, now manifests itself. It
shews, by its very minuteness of detail, what it were better
to conceal—bow many are the sects and sentiments of
Christians. But its worst feature is, that as the summing
up of all its clauses, it boldly adds, " This is the Catholic
faith, which, except a man keep whole, and undefiled,
without doubt, he shall perish everlastingly,"—the people
answering " Amen." What then is "this ?" Let three
parts of an average English congregation be asked, and
they will say, "All that we have been repeating." " But
what is that ?" the question may go on to demand—
" What does it mean?" " Nay, that we cannot tell ; we
only know it is we have been repeating after the Minis-
ter." Ask, in a word, the whole—and if they have not
been taught otherwise, (and officially, they cannot be so
taught,) scarcely a person but will concur, that the " Ca-
tholic faith," designated by the word "this," and of which
it is affirmed, that unless a man keeps it he shall without
doubt perish, is the entire creed ; so that practically, and
as it is commonly understood, we, fallible creatures, pre-
sume to pronounce " accursed" all who do not strictly
hold positions which neither we nor they can comprehend.
We have been gravely told, indeed, that the darnnatory
sentence refers only to the primary or master tenet, " that
Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped." Let it be granted
that it is so : but then, was there ever a more conclusive
argument for ridding ourselves of a formula, which, whilst
it means to say one thing, actually says another—and this
too in matters of perilous interest? If it be so, still where
is our warrant for pronouncing upon our fellows this fear-
ful verdict of " guilty?"

And what is really gained by retaining the Creed ?
Will it be said, soundness of doctrine ? if this means the
doctrine of the Trinity, we say it is interwoven into our
Liturgy, in a manner so natural—so unoffending--so cha-
ritable—in a word, so scriptural, that it cannot be taken
away, unless, and until the whole garment be rent—which
may our good Gon prevent ! Far better is it, we cannot
but think—far wiser—far more in the spirit of CHRIST,
to leave it in that quiet dwelling place—ministering health
and joy to thousands, than thus to put it forward, as a rock
for " faith, hope, and charity," to split upon.
We are painfully sure, that many decline ourfellowship,
simply because of the mark of intolerance, which this
Creed is felt to set upon our, else, most tolerant Church.
We are no less sure, that many a sincere and humble
member of it hangs down his head in sorrow, and in
shame, when he is unwillingly reminded of this blot upon
that sanctuary, which he so dearly loves, and so unfeign-
edly venerates, and would grudge no sacrifice to behold
" without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing."
A book has recently issued from the press, of which we
will content ourselves with observing, that, whilst it ad-
vocates with us the dismissal of this formula from our
ritual, it also suggests the blotting out certain other parts,
directly confessing the doctrine of the Trinity. In this
we cannot concur. In the precatory and laudatory por-
tions we deem that doctrine most properly embodied.
We simply object to its being dogmatized upon, and in
scholastic, unintelligible, and uncharitable terms.
The Author of " Church Reform," contents himself with
asking for the removal of the damnatory clauses. And,
it were certainly no small gain to the cause of forbearance
and clarity, if only thus much were accomplished. Rut
it would only solve a portion of the evil—the largest, it is
admitted, but by no means the whole. 411 the Objections,
on the score of present inapplicability, unintelligibleness,
and so forth, would reosain in full foice. And, therefore,
we are of opinion, that it were wiser at once, and once for
all, to expunge it. For supposing it transferred from our
congregational services to our Articles, as a profession of
faith—for none but ministers understood, and expected to
comprehend what is confessedly beyond the reach of the
ordinary hearer, it would but add straitness and eicl;:iiiye,
ncss to Articles already, as we hare teen Urging, some=what top numerous and too positive, in dayi like these--
it would but continue to subject the Clergy 'to the charge
Of too 'readily submitting to dictation. It would atilt hang

,s a millstrr I lie neck of the Church, though in
an alter shap•
It will 1w tl, this instance relates, primarily, to
the doc'rine it do 1 ..:ty t owl the suspicion may at once
arise, that the pr ,ft • menti,tions originate in a lurkirg
spirit or Soeiniani-m.
No ‘-, to the char-eter of the Author of the work under
review, we have ...mike,. 4 inn.

For out selves if we know any thing t our own opinions,
they are strongly oppi.,,ed to to the Sn.cinian hypothesis
our hopes of salvation humbly resting upon the cross of
CHRIST, as our actual redemption from the pains and penal-
ties of sin, and upon the workings of the HOLY SPIRIT, as
our regenerating, renewing, and sanctifying principle.
The remonstrances, therefore, now respectfully made,
not until, we are disposed to add, we had long kept
silence " yea, even from good words,' though it was
pain and grief to us," cannot, we think, be justly sus-
pected of coming from covert enemies. They are, in truth,
the affectionate words of companions and familiar friends !
And let it be considered in what an advantageous posture,
for salutary reform, the Church is placed by this very fact,
and by our being, as we verily believe we severally are, the
mouthpieces of a very considerable aggregate of concurrent
sentiment.

If an abandonment of any point be conceded, it is not
to the demands of foes, covert or overt, but to the prayers
of those of her own household; it is at a moment, as we
have hinted before, when the singular moderation of the
various sects of Protestant Christians, leaves temper un-
ruffled and judgment unclouded ; at a conjuncture which
Providence seems to have contrived, that we might " walk
about our Sion, and go round about her ; and tell the
towers thereof, and mark well her bulwarks, and set up
her house, that we may tell them that come after :"

" Deus nobis I,mc otia fecit."

We proceed, next, to the point of intelligibleness, in
such parts of our ritual as are confessedly excellent in re-
spect of every other particular. Intelligibleness we hold to
be one of the essential characteristics of the reformed, as
contrasted with the Romish'faitli, and that the further we
depart from it the less do we hold fast to our integrity,
and the more obnoxious do we become to the reproof of
St. Paul, "If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, &c."
No doubt the universal education of the people is daily
raising them to our level ; in the mean time, however,
and even when education shall have produced its results,
certain words have ceased to represent the ideas which once
they expressed. They have either become obsolete, or
obsolete in the sense of the text. If, for the sake of phi-
lology a consideration of some importance, it be deemed ad-
visable not to expunge such terms, it might suffice and
would be a real improvement, to put syuonimes in the
margin, leaving the choice to the individual Minister.
We have considerable doubts whether the time occupied
in our church service be too much, and are inclined to
think the weariness some complain of will be found to
arise rather from repetition than continuance. We cer-
tainly are afraid, however, that in the administration of our
most solemn rite, the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, as
it now stands, evil arises from both these causes. Old
age and delicate health, we fear, cannot, the young and
the wavering we are sure will not, in populous places, de-
vote the time and the attention necessary for its reception.
And in our present posture of what we venture to
call utterly inadequate provision, with respect to
numbers of Ministers, it is very much to be ap-
prehended that the Parochial Clergyman already
oppressed by the Sunday's duty, is actually prevented by
the anticipation of an additional burthen, absolutely over-
whelming, from being, as he, of all men, should be, a
cheerful commemorator of the great Christian sacrifice, and
from bidding guests with any earnestness of private exhor-
tation to that holy feast.
Our services for baptism, burial, the visitation of the
sick, and marriage, might, we are disposed to think, be
amended. The first strikes us as upon the whole too
long. It might also be considered, whether the suretyship
required by it might not, in these days, be profitably ex-
changed for a solemn charge to the parents and near kin-
dred, both in those relations and as witnesses of the child's
introduction into the Church of Cnrasr. Certain parts
of the marriage service, it is quite certain that many of
even our highest Clergy, from feelings of delicacy, seldom
read, they are, virtually, either disused or used at discretion,
and had better, therefore, be at once expunged ; any thing
being better than a law whose observance varies, and will
continue to vary do what we chose, with the will of the
subject
The objectionable feature of the " visitation of the sick"
is the absolution, not that the Romanist can have the
smallest right to parallel it with I.is own, and to retort
upon the Protestant, objecting that the faith of the former
empowers the Priest to forgive sins, that the latter's does
the same. The difference is the essential one between a
law merely standing in the statute book and one daily en-
forced. The Catholic Priest exec cises this function un-
ceasingly. It is one of his most prominent, his most
usual, his most characteristic duth s. The laity are taught
to look to it as one of their dearest privileges. On the
other hand, the Protestant Minister has never, in point of
practice, been deemed the deposit ry of an absolving power.
This opinion has never been fostered. Ile may not exer-
cise it without the minute precautions as to absolute sin-
cerity of repentance prescribed in the Liturgy ; and very
few are the cases in which it is required, and without its
being desired by the sick person it is no part of his office.
But though it be, thus, for the most part, disused, from the
awe with which both Clergy and Laity approach it, and is
so far innocuous, we would willingly silence all objections
by for ever divorcing it from our Liturgy.

In our burial service, calculated it is manifest for days
when discipline was in its vigour, and sentence of excom-
munication, without scruple, pronounced upon offenders,
the Church, through the mouth of the individual Minister,
now, indiscriminately declares, of all persons brought for
interment, within her precincts, that they have departed
this life " in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to
eternal life, through JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD." The
consequence is, that she appears to attribute to the mere
fact of death a mysterious and undefined power to change
the spirit of a man from evil to good : and thus, by her last
office—her farewell word over the departed brother, to
undo and make void her former strenuous admonitions, so
to pass our time of trial here in godliness and holy fear—
that at the last we fail not of the promises of God ! Would
we then give the Minister, itiwill be asked, a discretionary
power to pronounce over the grave of one man, that he
bath died with, and of another that he hath died without
" hope ?" Far from it, we would place him in no such ex-
posure to odium. We would subject him to no such
heavy responsibility. But can it be necessary for educa-
tion, or for peace, or for comfort, to do more than state
the Christian hope, in general omitting all individual ap-
plication of it.
These, then, are the amendments we would for the pre-
sent suggest, with, perhaps, one addition—adverted to by
both our authors : the substitution, here and there, of more
appropriate, we had almost said less objectionable, lessons
than some of those now standing in the calendar. Local
and timely adaptation enters, as a principle, into our se-
lection from the Bible; there can he nothing chargeable
with novelty, therefore, nothing irreverent, in contending
for still more perfect adaptation, especially since it is
abundantly clear that the Scriptures have their various
uses, some being calculated for humiliating meditation in
the very depths of privacy, and for a certain position of
spiritual advancement; others for the mixed, and average,
and congregational ear.
In looking back at these suggestions for the improve-
ment of our Liturgy, we are struck with their fewness,
and deem it a testimony to the astonishing wisdom with
which the frame and fabric of our ritual have been com-
pacted. " See," we say, with the wondering disciples,
" see, what manner of stones, and what buildings
are here."—The last review was in the year 1661, but
the substance of it is hundreds of years older. And though,
if we could now interrogate the master-spirits who ar-
ranged it for "our house of defence and our castle,"
they would hardly reply, that it was intended to endure
in its then accurate shape and proportions throughont all
ages, and in any conceivable advancement of our spiritual
knowledge ; yet, of such sound materials has it been corn-
posed, and like the portraits of some of our great paint* rs
of past days, with such a large and Catholic relation to
the general principles, which must ever discriminate at
once and pervade eur human nature, that even now, in al;r,
age so far snore civilized and learned than th4t in wh4
it bad its birth, how small a coomparative. iroprovermiat
is needed.

put here we are, obliged to ask a very painful question—,
What avail the most Perfect services if the people cannot
be disciplined to the lose of them, or cannot be present
to join in them ? When we look abroad, and observe the
paucity of our Ministers and of our Churches, we are re.,
luctautly constrained to confesA, that such is unhappily
too truly the case in Protestant England ; in that coun-
try, whose religious character is supposed to be represented
by, and identified with her natural Church
The dissenting meetings throughout the land may be
taken as a fair guage of the people's demands. They
indicate with very tolerable correctness the poinSs where,
and the extent to which, Churches were wanted—or if not
literal pm-.:c1-.es, at least io‘zai plimei of worship in con-
nection with" the establislinient—and what a tale of ne-
glect do they Proclaim ; what a scene of barrenness do
they unfold.

here was a time when the wish CAnqql was ade-
quate to the reeeptinn of it 3 popVlatiOn. And, to hear the

clamour against dissent so frequently uttered, by appa-
rently thinking and well-informel men, one might be dis-
posed to believe, as it is evident they themselves do, that
it n•as so still,—instead of being so utterly, so lamentably
disproportioned. If population has oc,:opled itself, (to sta'e
a rough calculation) and Churches have not even been
doubled, why or. d we look farther fur the origin and
growth of sectat ianism ;—and humiliating as it is to ask
the question, what would now have been the religion of
England without it? Our parochial Clergy again—
the :accredited Ministers of the National Religion—the
body of functions ies, whose " lips are to keep know-
Ldge" for the mass of the people—the dehg ited way-
marks in the read to life—what is their numerical
sufficiency? If the abstract question were asked any rea •
sonably and conscientious person, alive to the spiritual
interests of his fellow men, and aware of the difficulty of
fixing their thoughts upon them, how many souls might
safely be placed under the superintendance of a single pas-
tor, he might perhaps reply, a few hundreds. What
would be think of our Church's claim to be deemed the
" nursing mother" of the people,—what of our religion,
what of our humanity, if he were told that it was a com-
mon thing, a thing no man wondered at, for one Clergy-
man to have the charge of as many thousands ?
Most happily, all his nominal are not his real flock.
Whilst in the eyes of the State they are so deemed, and
whilst the unsllowing and unreflecting visit them with
bitter words and hard thoughts, for a transftrence of al-
lei,Tiance, which they have no opportunity of maintaining,
other teachers unauthorized, indeed, and unrecognized,
step in and ease him of his most proportioned burthen.
Even then he is so harassed beyord his means of endur-
ance, by multiplicity of duties, that it is no wonder it
certain parts of them are perfunctorily done. It is no
wonder, for instance, if sermons exhibit signs in their
want of force and accuracy, of the distractions in the
midst of which they are written—and the character of the
pulpit falls below its just level. The admirable and truly
Christian society, for building Churches, is, as far as its
limited means allow, wiping out one reproach which has
long been merited by us,—that of providing for the rich
and reglecting the poor. A foreigner estimating our con •
d.tion, by the appearance of our town Churches, would
pronounce us a nation of opulents. It is no charac-
,eristic of these that " to the poor the Gospel is preach-
e:l." That they are driven to hear elsewhere--and their
affections have, consequently, and most naturally been
given, where their interests have been most sedulously at-
tended to, that is, we regret to say it—to the Conven-
ticle. We contend, therefore, for a greater increase of
Church of England places of worship—and a greater of
Church of England pastors, as positively necessary for the
maintenance of our name, and the satisfaction of our
claims : and, what is still more vital, for the sound in-
struction of the people in religious and moral truth. But
intimately and inseparably connected with such a provi-
sion are others also. Strictness of residence, for instance,
not simply in subordinate, but in superior functionaries.
If Parliamentary duties, or comtnendams—the former not
to be dispensed with under any practical view of our
civil and ecclesiastical Constitution, the latter a tempo-
rarily necessary aid to the straightened revenues of our
literally poor Bishoprics—take our chief shepherds away
from their charge, for any considerable portion of the year
—as it is certain they do, with no small diminution of
their• pastoral efficiency, no small detriment to the cause
of religion, within their several jurisdictions,—substitutes,
—" second selves"—should at least be provided—to
carry on the chain of communication between the " head"
and the " members ;" and to be present, and competent
points of reference in these innumerable instances, and at
those unremitting moments, when counsel, and comfort,
and direction, are sought, and can from no point be de-
rived, but from the principal authority.
Again—if residence' be enforced, residence must be
made practicable and efficient, by a far more just distribu-
tion of " hire" to the " labourer," than exists even
now, when the Curate's Bill has so much improved the
pecuniary, and, with it, we hope the moral condition of
that particular hard working functionary:
Again, there is grievously wanted a new proportion of
men to localities—either by leaving jurisdictions as they
ate, and dividing them amongst other officers, or by par-
ing them down to narrower limits with the same.
Finally—(And by this we mean—finally with te:pect
to our present paper—not to the discussion itself, which
might be extended to many a highly-interesting poi' t, not
now touched upon)—it is only necessary dispassionately
to weigh the arguments adduced by our author, and to
compare them with the facts, coming within the range
of their own experience, and which we earnestly entreat
our readers to do, to be convinced how imperfect, and in-
applicable a system of discipline is to be found in our
Canons.

And now, before we conclude, a few words for our-
,selves—we are most fully aware, under what hazard of
unkind, and unharsh suspicion we have ventured upon
this well nigh prohibited topic of Church refoi-m. And
if we look forward thus early, it is really the spirit of one
who would probe to heal, not to earn the poor praise of
sharpsightedness, or of walking in an unfrequented and
somewhat perilous path, reckless of other men's opinions.
We are too affectionately, too unchangeably attached to
our " first love," either to expose her defects, when pri-
vacy and quiet forbearance have the smallest chance of
blotting them out, and restoring her to her strength and
beauty, or of concealing them, when the remedy can only
be found in a general conviction that she has her ailments,
and in a general pressing forward to remedy them. The
former would be cruelty, the latter treachery.
The present Bishop of WINCHESTER has said, in his
primary charge to the Diocese of LANDAFF, " There is
no wisdom in shutting our eyes upon the face of the land,
until others come in, and sow, and reap, in our own
neglected vineyard." Now this appears to us a sentence
worthy, for its wisdom and its manliness, to be treasured
up in all our memories; and it may well serve both as a
motto to our paper, and as an index to our design in com-
posing it. We have given it as a true but an imperfect
delineation of our condition as Churchmen—we have
slightly sketched what might have been expanded into
volumes. We shall be satisfied, nevertheless, if the little
that has been said, shall induce the candid and reflecting
reader to peruse the book which heads our article, and to
act as opportunity shall order, upon the highly interest-
ing reflection it cannot but suggest.

The CHANCELLOR Of the EXCHEQUER left
town yesterday, to join the party at Mr. Secretary PEEL'S
residence, Stowe Hall, Norfolk.

Sir GEORGE MURRAY transacted business
with Lord HILL yesterday, at the office of the Commander
of the Forces in the Horse Guards.

The Russian Ambassador entertainad the
Prussian Minister, the Duke of DEVONSHIRE, the Larl of
ABEn.nEEN, and a select party to dinner, au Sunday, at
Ashburnham }louse.

DRURY LANE THEATRE.—The tragedy
of Othello, so inseparably linked with the genius of KEAN,
was last night performed at this theatre, on which occasion
Mr. Your:o represented the " fiery" Moor. His apting
was correct, as iv always is, but tame and unimpassioned.
The earlier scenes were, however, acted in a masterly
manner—it was only in the third Act that Mr. YOUNG
was found wanting. His hurricane of passion wag too
much like a Zephyr, it did not sweep over him with suf-
ficient power. Miss PHILLIPS made an interesting Des-
demona, and Mr. WALLACE a respectable lago.
TOTTENHAM STREET THEATRE.—This
theatre opened last night with the adaptation from The
Marriage of Figaro, a pretty ballet entitled The Devi,dy
in Distress, and a new piece, False and Cotst424, All
the performances were well received by a crawde4 house.
Among the actors were our old favourites, VINING,
LIAMS, Mrs. WAYLE'“, and Miss A. TREE,

We b4lieve it is not generally known that the
late Dr. T. YOUNG, the physician and astronomer, upon
one occasion personated the character of 4Uorlequin at a
grand masquerade at the Panthco;. This learned and
accomplished person begaa Lie in Norwich, as a Quaker
He was a profound musician, an excellent dancer, billiard
players and private actor—in short, a sort of " admirable
CRICHTON."

Madame AIAIMIRAN GARCIA will return
to London in April, when, it is said, she will perform a
certain number of nights at Drury-lane. theatre. In that
event Ilaan_cg is the only individual who ought to ac-
company her. The report is untrue which states GARCIA'S
voice to have experienced an unfavourable change.
The French Plays, at the Theatre-Re: 4f,
English Opera-house, will commence in the rniii.dla of Ja-
nuary. LAPORTE has become a proprietor; this enter-
prising person has been some time lo France, collecting a
company of a superior .?Kaer. PonER is engaged, and
the season will begin with his performances. JENNY COLON
also retained.

The beautiful little Theta erected by
LAPORTE in the Grand contentßoom at the Italian
Opera-house, will
c,J*n in December with the Italian,
try iili4 Pupils of the Royal Academy of Music, aad
Kobanly continue until the middle of January, when the
ingse Theatre will commence its regular season, aided by
a vast a,ccession of talents ez..-iaged in France, Germany, 1
and Italy.

-

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

A. respectable correspondent, writing to us on
the subject of the high prices still retained by
retail dealers, particularly butchers, recommends
to us to publish the names, addresses, and prices
of those tradesmen who may signifytheir wil-
ling,ness to serve the public at reasonable rates.
We would indeed advise those who have such a
disposition, to make the fact known through the
journals, and this is at once an easy and effec-
tual way of inviting customers—at least of invit •
ing such customers as are not in the trammels of
their own servants, or in the perhaps less servile
state of being in debt to those whose articles
they take. It is said that if prices universally
fall, the interest of the national debt cannot be
paid. What an absurdity! Surely the less a
man pays for the necessary commodi!ies of lift.,
the more he will have left for the tax-gatherer,
whether the taxation be for the current expenses
of the Government, or on account of the con-
tracted debt of the country.—Times.
We insert a long letter from Paris which we
received yesterday. The writer is unknown
to us, but he is evidently well acquainted
with French affairs. His statements are, un-
questionably, startling, but they must speak for
themselves. Jefferson, in his Memoirs, observes
in his usual calm way—" The pecuniary dis-
tresses of France produced this year a measure of
which there had been no example for near two
centuries, and the consequences of which, good
and evil, are not yet calculable. He observes
towards the close of his Memoirs—" Here 1
discontinue any relation of the French _if evolu •
Can. The minuteness with which I have so
far given its details, is disproportioned to the
general scale of my narrative. But I have
thought it justified by the interest which the
whole world must take in this Revolution. As
yet we are but in the first chapter of its history.**
We are yet, we believe, but in the first chapter
of its history. If the Government do not, how-
ever, understand the nature of their situation,
like all unfortunate speculators, they must pay
for their mistakes. Our Correspondent, like
another Cassandra, turns with dismay from the
events which he predicts. We, on the contrary,
are somewhat optimists in this respect. Nations
never die, however Governments may change.—
A Government ought to have no will dis-
tinct from that of the people, and it is
clear that the French Government conceives
itself to have a right to have a will of its own,
and to impose that will on the People, from the
circumstance that the property and intelligence
of the country are arrayed against it. There
can be no peace till the question is settled,
whether the will of the French People shall be
obeyed by their Executive, or the Executive
shall force the French People to obey its will.
Between France and England there is all the
difference in the world, and those who would
reason from England to France must commit
serious mistakes. France is essentially a De-
mocracy. The estates of the Nobility were cut
up at the Revolution, and the law which divides
the estates among the children is one which can
only be changed by a revolution, because any
new law of so violent a character as to deprive
the children vested with rights under the law, is
not to be thought of in peaceable times. The
immense estates of the Church, which gave
such immense power to a Corporation identical
in interest with the Nobility were also cut up.
What is there, then, to oppose to the popular
will ? A Monarchy, without an Aristocracy,
must soon resolve itself into a Democracy. The
King can only exist by considering himself as
the first Magistrate of the country, the organ of
the popular will, with no power but that which
the law gives him. Tile sort of power to
be derived from a Church without property
is nothing when opposed to the will of the
people, serving indeed only to irritate. The
Bourbons are misled by their recollections ; they
should forget the History of France before the
Revolution, and resign themselves patiently to
the condition in which alone they can exert that
of hereditary first Magistrates of the nation.—
England is differently circumstanced, England
is essentially an Aristocracy, because, by time ex-
isting Constitution, the Aristocracy dictate the
laws. The possessors of great properties and
boroughs draw along with them all the power
and influence of the country. Occasionally these
great properties are divided, and a clever and
active King may manage to have considerable
influence by playing off one party against an-
other. But the people are nothing. In France
there is nothing to oppose to the people but mi.,
litary force, which never can be relied in
times of popular agitation, because the soldiery
are carried away by the general enthusiasm. But
in England, no appeal to the people can ever,
introduce into Parliament a power equal to the
power which now commands the resources of
the country. We have more than once observed
that the example of England has misled the
Governments of the Continent, There cannot
long exist in any country two powers in colli-
sion with each other. The Continental States
have supposed tho possibility of combining a
representation of the people with a power to con
troul that zepresentatton. They shave not been
able to discover that England has not a popular
representation, and that the machinery by which
England has, to appearance a popular representa-
tion, while, in reality, the repreF.entation is merely
a mode in which the Ariste,eraey act through the
instrumentality of a part, of the people as 4:noir
tools, cannot be crPated. The Governments of
Europe, whether they are called Representative
Monarchies, as France, or single; Monarchies,
as, Prussia, are all much nearer Democracy than
England, and they every day receive more and
more a democratic tendency. The King of
Prussia, for instance, is merely the first Magis-
trace of the kingdom. Everything is popular ;
the Church Establishments, the Universities,
the Army, the Councils of Government. The
French Itetolution has read a salutary tesseh to
aolfl Gboievkeeriiiiiii:gesntsa.ndDiinatirnigguteshe
owfhool:eieofdtiliffeerl
ea, s. t
century, the history of Europe was the history
t
Courts, and wanton acts of atrWession the fruit
of them. The people e,
'-,,ucilted for nothing.
Governments are now
more aware of their re-
do not consider the late in-
terferenceal the two Peninsulas an exception,
we apprehend the Governments of the
beea
of danger to themselves. Let us take for in-
stance Alliance acted under a strong apprehension
stance the affair of the Stadtholder, in which
England and Prussia acted so infamous a part
the same
before the French Revolution—we do Ilr,t think
" The object of the Pistiuks
terforonee, which nearly led, any Government would dare to act
It) a general war
shameless manner now. The r I • •
Govern-
men[. The ajorityo•iorvine• is the
account which Jefferson gives ,c .1 • .
es-
tablish a Represemitve (says he) was to (.1 this act of
theond
Suites-Generals
RepublicanGovevirnns-
with thork, but the • I
Maxim"C the populace of the
towns Was with the Prince of Orange; and that

pnpulace was played off' with great effect by the
triumvirate of • 'Po *—ilirris, the English Ambas-
_ _

sador, afterwards Lord Malmesbury, the Prince of
4 Orange, a stupid man, and the Princess, as much a
man as either-of her colleagues in audaciousness, in
enterprize, and in the thirst of domination. By
these the mobs of the Hague were excited against
the members of the States-General; their persons
were insulted and endangered in the streets; the
sanctuary of their houses were violated; and the
Prince, whose function and duty it was to repress
and punish these violations of order, took no steps
for that purpose. The States-General, for their
own protection, were, therefore, obliged to place
their militia under the command of a Committee
The Prince filled the Courts of London and Beilin
with complaints at this usurpation of his preroga--
tives; and forgetting that he was but the first ser-
vant of a Republic, marched his regular troops
against the City of Utrecht, where the States were
in Session. They were repulsed by the militia.
Ilia interests now became marshalled with those of
the public enemy and against his own country. The
States, therefore, exercising the rights of Sove-
reignty, deprived him of all his powers."
The Prussians, backed by England, marched
an army into Holland for the sacred cause of
the Stadtholder ; and if France had not been
bullied, the resources of this country and of
Prussia would have been expended in a war to
which the interest of the two countries was a
stranger. It is some consolation to think that
the wasteful expenditure of this and other coun-
tries in wars, without an object, have greatly
contributed to the wisdom of the existing Go-
vernments. Should the French Government
persist in misundertanding its true situation, and
force on a crisis, the neighbouring Govern-
ments will be cautious how they embroil them.-
selves with French affairs. As to England,
once the most busy meddling power in the whole
world, she is now as wise as any one could wish
her to be. The instinct of self-preservation dic-
tates prudence, and an abstinence from rash in-
tilgences.--Morning Chronicle.
We perfectly agree with a correspondent that
the language used by Mr. Walker, the Magis-
trate of Lambeth-street, with respect to the poor
laws, deserves the severest reprehension. We
do not know whether the Guardians of the
Poor of the Parish of St. Anne, Linzehouse,
are remarkable for the strictness or the laxity with
which they administer those laws, but when the
worthy Magistrate, in his Circular, addressed to
those officers, speaks of his " thorough convic-
tion, from lopg experience, of the impolicy,
cruelty, and,unchristian tendency of the poor
laws, and his earnest desire, by a strict adinini-
stration, to facilitate their abolition," we must
tell him that he travels beyond the bounds of
his duty to endeavour to bring into hatred and
contempt that portion of the law of the land
which has its origin in Christian charity, and is
the inheritance of the poor. We admit the ex-
istence of numerous abuses which have grown
up under the poor laws, by which their beneficent
effect is much impaired; but Mr. Walker comes
forward to arraign their principle in its purest ope-
ration, for lie says that he bas an earnest desire, by
a strict administration, to facilitate their aboli-
tion; which is equivalent to saying that the more
properly they are executed the more improper
they will appear. He must, therefore, wish the
public to believe that the excrescences of the
system tend to reconcile society to the system
itself—that the deviation from the original prin-
ciple tends to conceal the inherent deformity of
its nature, which is " cruel, impolitic, and un-
christian," and that the system only wants to be
• strictly, that is, in other words, correctly ad-
ministered, to be no longer endured. Now that
any man, and especially a Magistrate, should
dare, even in the present day of paradox and
false philosophy, to give utterance to such a
sentiment, does somewhat astonish us. We
know, indeed, that Mr. Walker's opinion is not
new, for we recollect that a Morning Paper,
now strenuously recommending the introduction
of the poor laws into Ireland, was not very long
ago, as- earnestly labouring to eradicate them,
as a pest and mischief, from the soil of England.
There is no disputing about tastes ; and we
should not quarrel with the worthy Magistrate
for taking up the cast-off opinions of that
Journal, and enforcing them by all the eloquence
of his pen, if he did not hold a situation
which might make the declaration of his senti-
ments on this subject extensively injurious. We
tell Mr. Walker that so far are the poor laws,
when strictly administered, from being of a cruel
impolitic, and unchristian tendency, that they are
of the very essence of sound social policy and
Christian benevolence. We tell him they are
founded in that wisdom which takes a compre-
hensive view of the interests of humanity, and
that they ratify with the sanctions of law one of
the noblest principles of that religion to which
our temples are consecrated, Is it of the -spirit
of cruelty, or of Christian charity, to feed the
hungry, to clothe the naked, to be eyes to the
blind, and feet to the lame, to help him that is
ready to perish, and to open the hand of bounty
to the widow and the fatherless in affliction ?
These duties the Poor Laws inculcate, and they
leave not the performance of them to chance or
to casual compassion, but they make an observ-
ance of the claims of humanity imperative, and
consecrate a portion of the wealth of the coin-
:nullity as the fund of the destitute—the inalien-
able property of the poor. Surely the relief
, tvhich for centuries the Legislature has set apart
to those benevolent purposes, the poor man has
as much right to as Mr. Walker has to his sa-
lary. The one as well as the other comes out
of takes necessarily levied upon the public.—
The motives of the worthy Magistrate may be
most pure and upright—he may imagine he
is acting with great wisdom and patriotism
in endeavouring to facilitate the abolition
of those laws which—in the name of huma-
nity, of nature, and religion—declare that no
man shall perish of starvation in England. But
a wiser Dispenser of justice than Mr. Walker
has declared; in that Book which, notvvithstand-
ing the lights of modern philosophy, contains
more of the true science of Government than
the political economists have yet taught the
world—" Whoso stopped' his ears to the cry pf
the poor, he shall cry himself, but shall not be
heard." The enactors of the Poor Laws did
not stop their ears to the cries of the poor—
they gave them a perinanent .provision from the
State, in place of the, contributions levied on
the wealthy and humane by the importunities of
vagrant mendicancy. The 43d Eliobeth may
be called the Magna (Marta of the poor=--that
Act contains in few words the comprehensive
principle of the Poor Laws. It directs the
Overseers, &c. of every parish, by taxation of
every inhabitant, &c. to raise, weekly or other-
wise, a convenient stock of flax, hemp, ,vool,
thread, iron, and other ware and stuff, to set the
poor on work ; and also competent sums of
money for and towards the necessary relief of
the lame, impotent, blind, old, and such among
them being poor and not able to work, and also
fir putting out poor children as apprentices.
This is the pure and strict principle of the Poor

Laws. The abuses which lidve grown up un-
der the system it is not necessary here to touch
upon, because Mr. Walker denounces those
Laws, independently of their abu-ec.; Int, un-
til he substitutes some more eligible scheme of
charity, we hope the principle of the Poor Laws
will be as enduring as the Constitution of Eng-
land.—Morning Herald.
We promised in our paper of yesterday to lay
before our rewlers some additional facts and ob-
servations respecting the state of trade, and the
prospects of the commercial, manufacturing, and
agricultural classes, and we now address our-
selves to the task. The accounts of the state of
trade in the provincial papers are in a few in-
“ances contradictory. At Huddersfield, it is
stated, that " there is no improvement in trade,
that is to say, that there is no improvement in
prices or wages:" and at Bradford again, " that
the demand for fine goods still continues brisk,
and that a great deal of them were sold in
Thursday's market." The same discrepancy in
point of facts would be observed in the accounts
given by the Manchester Courier and the
Manchester Advertise?, which appeared in our
yesterday's paper ; and a similar remark ap-
plies to those of the Leeds papers—one of
them asserting that " leaving out of considera-
tion the reduced scale of the establish-
ments, out of 2,240 looms, the customary
number in bad ti?nes, no less than 785
are idle ; and a considerable portion of those are
only partially employed ; while more, it would
seem, are worked to keep up a show of work ;'''
and the other declaring that there is consider-
able exaggeration in the statement, and that more
looms are employed, and for a greater length of
time, than the other has given credit for. The
Leeds Mercury, in fact, reduces the number of
unemployed looms to about 200, which, it adds,
is about as small a number as can be found un-
employed at any time in Leeds. There is one
sentence, however, in the leading article of the
Mercury, qn the subject, which speaks volumes
on the present state of trade. " Many of the
manufacturers," says it, " are already engaged
in preparing for the spring trade, though the
merchants and retail dealers do not begin to lay
in their stocks till after the commencement of
the year." On the other hand—for we are
anxious to put our readers in possession of the
truth—the demand for cotton in the Liverpool
market has been buisk ; but whether for imme-
diate consumption, or the spring. trade, does not
appear. Turning from the commercial and ma-
nufacturing to the agricultural classes, we regret
to find no change of scene. Agricultural pro-
duce is always in demand, and except in the
worst of times, finds a market, sooner or later;
but the prices have greatly declined within the
last eighteen months, and the farmer who had
contracted to pay a high rent in paper-money,
now finds himself unable to meet his landlord's
demand in the augmented currency in which,
and in no other, must he now pay it. This fact
is confessed by the Leeds Mercury, which has
the following sensible observations on the sub-
ject :
" The reduction of rents," says it, " appears to
us not merely a measure of humanity on the part of
landed proprietors to their tenants, but of sound
policy, and even of necessity. It is manifest that
the value of money has been increased, and the no-
minal value of produce lowered, by the return to a
metallic currency ; and it is therefore impossible for
farmers, who before only just obtained a subsistence
out of their farms, to continue to pay the same rents
which they have paid hitherto. An attempt to
wring from them the same rents would either com-
pel the farmer to throw up his farm or it would
ruin him. Those who are bound by leases ought to
have their rents lowered, as well as those who take
from year to year; otherwise every future year of
their lease will reduce their means, and sink them
deeper in insolvency. We are convinced that the
reduction of rents must become general through the
country, and that the sooner it is made the better it
will be both for landiords and tenants. It cannot be
for the interest of landlords, in the long run, to
grind down their tenants by excessive rents ; because
this must lead either to a change of tenants, which
is generally attended with loss on the part of the
landlord, or ti the throwing of farms on the land-
lord's hands. By a timely reduction of rent the
farmer may be saved, and the connection between
him and the proprietor continue to be mutually
beneficial."

We fear, however, that the farmer who calcu-
lates on the liberality of his landlord in reducing
his rent, in proportion to the augmented value
of the currency, will calculate without his host.
The land-owners generally, neither understand
the ciubjeet, nor, if they did, would they be
inclined to agree to any measure of equitable
adjustment, until the fear of having their land
returned upon them, had become more visible
than it has yet been. They will have their
" pound of flesh" for their " ounce of gold,"
while. a pound remains; and nothing, we are
convinced, can possibly save the farmer from
their ruinous gripe, but a legislative measure,
which by realising the farmer from his contract
with the landowner, and enabling him to make
a new bargain, may afford him a chance of ap-
portioning his rent to the increased value of the
currency in which it is to be paid. Now what is
the result of the preceding facts and observa-
tions? First, that trade and agriculture are
in a very unprofitable, not to say ruinous state,
in consequence of a fall in wages, prices, and
profits ; and, secondly, that though not wholly
cuing to the increased value of the currency,
these fesults have been immediately caused by it.
Confirmatiouz Of the truth of the latter doctrine
are now pouring in upon us from all quarters.
However despicable the one and two-pound.
ncites may be, or might have been in the eyes of
some pea.o.ns, it is now found that the country
cannot do without them—that we are too poor
in fact, to afford to jay for every thing in gold,
and that unless a correspo,r.ding reduction is
made in the public burthens, these same despised
rags, with their equally despised issuers, must
be called in to assistthe public in getting through
its difficulties. 'l'o-morrow we shall resume
this iubjpct. In the mean time we submit the
following just ponclusions from the above facts
and reasoning, frotA tiie Leeds Mercury:—
" If the landlord," says " is compelled to
his rents, it is manifest that tie public func-
tionary to submit to a reduction of his meaty.
Many public officers had their salaries and allow-
ances raised during the we-7, on the express ground
of an increased price of all corron.s4ikies, caused by
:he depreciation in the value of money. the
same r2eson those salaries ought now to be reduced
to their torrcz; amount ; money has regained its
value, the price a g. commodities has fallen, and
these functionaries are the;.e.fcsre receiving a larger
payment than it was intended they che4ld receive.
In the present state of the country it is the impera-
tive duty of Government to enforce the utmost
practicable economy in every department of the
public serviee. Now that the disconteuts of Ireland
are appeased, and the war in the East terininated„
eve should think that a reduction might, with per-
fect safety, be made in the number of our forces."
" As it is the duty of Government to grant a
reduction of the taxes, so it is the interest of the
people to ask for it. All panics are agreed as to
the existence of distress, and all parties ought

therefore to concur in demanding an alleviation of
the public burdens. Those especially who see no-
thing but despair and ruin in the aspect of affairs,
ought to direct their efforts to this practical mode
(if relief, instead of keeping up a clamour which
can answer no end but to gratify party spirit. The
Ultra Tories will adopt this course, unless their oh-
iect is merely to force their way back to power--
not to advance their country's good. Let the dif-
ficulties of the nation be insisted upon, but let it
be for some useful end. Let us not waste our
strength in idle disputation, but let us all join in
impressing the necessities of the people onyarlia-
mew. By so doing every economical disposition in
the Ministry and the Legislature will be confirmed,
every tendency to needless expenditure checked,
and a powerful motive imparted to reduce the ex-
tent of our establishments and the pressure of the
taxes."—illorning Advertiser.

A report has been for some time in circula-
tion that it is the intention of his Majesty's
Ministers to propose to the holders of Four per
Cent. Government Annuities the alternative of
accepting a reduced rate of interest, or of having
their annuities redeemed at par. On the truth
or falsehood of this rumour we are not about to
offer any opinion, excepting that we are per-
suaded it does not rest upon the authority of
any disclosure which can have emanated from an
official quarter. The character of the Adminis-
tration is a sufficient pledge that a resolution of
this nature would not be suffered to transpire by
means of any premature and partial revelation ;
and that the official reserve which has hitherto
distinguished his Majesty's present Ministers
would not, for the first time, be laid aside on an
occasion upon which the advantage of indi-
vidual speculators only could be promoted
by its cessation. The report therefore we
take to be founded solely upon the ge-
neral grounds of the facility which it may
be supposed the present state of the mo-
ney market would afford to such an ope-
ration ; and the duty, at all times imperative
upon Government, to avail itself of every
legitimate means, and every favourable op-
portunity, of lightening the public burdens. We
advert to this subject because we find some of
our contemporaries disposed to censure Govern.
ment by anticipation on account of this measure,
and to bespeak the commiseration of the public
for .the fundholders whose incomes are liable to
reduction. This is an error in the opposite
direction to that (and less censurable certainly,
inasmuch as it is on the side of generosity)
which we have too often had occasion to correct,
of representing a temporary pressure on the
national finances as a sufficient cause or apology
for a breach of national faith. Our contempo-
raries, rather than be without a pretence for com-
plaint, are now ready to contend that the fund-
holder ought to have more than Government
has contracted to -pay, although on many
former occasions they have contemplated, with-
out much apparent repugnance, his being
compelled to put up with less. The true
doctime we apprehend to be—and it is so
plain that deviation on either side seems
scarcely possible—that Government ought to
reduce the charges upon the public to the lowest
amount which fair dealings towards individuals
will admit, but on no account, nor under the in-
fluence of any temptation whatever, to attempt
reduction beyond this point. The question then
is, will Government deal fairly towards this
particular class of fundholders if it should re-
duce them to choose between the redemption of
their stock at par and the diminution of their
dividends ? And upon this question there
cannot, we think, be any doubt. Government,
in the original contract by which these annuities
were created, reserved to itself the right of re-
deeming them, after a certain period, now past,
and for this right the public paid an adequate
price by receiving as the consideration for them
a smaller sum than would have been their fair
value had they then been made irredeemable.
Their price in the market also has been con-
stantly less than it would have been, but for the
universal knowledge that they were subject
to redemption or reduction. What corn-
plaint then can be reasonably made on be-
half eithei of the original holders of these se-
curities, or of those who have purchased them
at any subsequent period, in case the option
contemplated by the contract to which they have
become the voluntary parties should now be
offered them ? There is only one supposition
upon which the good faith and honourable con-
duct of Government in such a transaction could
be impeached, that of its having by some tem-
porary expedients forced up the price of the
public securities with a view to promote the
success of the meditated operation. From
this suspicion the Government, in the case
under our consideration, would be wholly free,
inasmuch as by the measures which have been
adopted for the regulation of the Currency,
it has divested itself of the power, even if
it had the inclination, to produce an occasional
or artificial advance in the price of any descrip-
tion whatever of commodity or security. The
only means now left to Government of affecting
the market value of the National Securities is its
manner of conducting the affairs of the State.
If this be such as inspires general confidence,
and is thought likely to promote the general
welfare and prosperity of the country, it is na-
tural that the Funds should be high ; but it will
scarcely be pretended that the character and con-
duct of Government give any class of fund-
holders a just occasion of complaint merely be-
cause it is their natural tendency to produce this
state of things.—Morning P.

A Morning Contemporary yesterday, in allu-H
sion to the surrender by the Duke of Welling-
ton of the emoluments of his office as Warden
of the Cinque Ports, remarks upon the " vanity"
and " affectation" of its being remitted to the
Exchequer. The amount of the sum so ten-
dered to the exigencies of the State has little to
do with the principle upon which the Noble
Duke has acted, and we cannot divine how an
example so worthy of imitation by every public
man, can with justice be considered as the result
of " vanity" or " affectation." But the.ernolu-
tnents of the office, it is asserted, arise from
fees," and if the office be " unnecessary" the
fees should be " aboli'Shed" rather than when
collected be handed over to the Exchequer.
Now admitting that the emoluments arise from
fees, it by no means follows than office h
unnecessary. It is„an office of ancient standing,
of great trust and honour, and like many others of
similar importance, has been filled by some of the
most eminent men this country has produced.
The Courts of the Cinque Ports have duties
and prerogatives attached to them, not very
dissiria-,.r to those of the Counties Palatine, and
particularly an exclusive jurisdiction (before the
Mayor and Jurats of the ports, Dover, Sand-
Rotnney, Hastings, and Hythe, to which
Winebelsea and Rye have since been added), in
which exclusive jurisdiction the King's writ
does nor run. A writ of error lies from the
Mayor and Jurats of each port to the Lord
'Warden of the Cimre Ports in his Court of

_Shepway, and from the Coult of Shepway to.
the King's Bench ; so likewise a writ of error
lies from all the other jurisdictions to the Su-
preme Court of Judicature, as an ensign of su-
periority reserved to the Crown at the ori-
ginal creation of the franchises. And all pre-
rogative writs (as those of habeas corpus,
prohibitions, certiorari, and mandamus) may
issue, for the same reason, to all those
exempt jurisdictions ; because the privi-
lege that the King's writ does not run must be
intended between party and party, for there can
be no such privilege against the King. (See 3.
Blackstone, " Courts of Special Jurisdiction,"
and the authorities there recited.) . Now whether
courts such as the CinqUe Ports, and whether
the office of head of these courts, ought to be
abolished, we do not pretend to say ; but it is
clear that until some other jurisdiction' be ap-
pointed to supply that which has been so long
and so beneficially established, the office of Head
Warden is necessary, and must be continued. It
is asserted that if the office be paid by " fees,"
and little or nothing be done, they should not be
exacted, they should beremitted to the payers : if
it be an office requiring care and attention, they
should be retained. Blackstone has shown the latter
position to be the correct one; and therefore s'e
argue that the fees being handed over to the be-
nefit of the State, a manifest desire is pro tanto
evinced on the part of the Duke of Wellington
to lend a helping hand to relieve the necessities
of the country. We set out with saying that
the amount (somewhat above 1,0001.) had no-
thing whatever to do with the generosity .of the
principle, and we feel satisfied there is not a
man of upright or honourable mind in the com-
munity, who will not share in our opinion. The
miserable cavilling by which it is assailed, and
the more miserable suppositions upon which the
attempt at reasoning it down is supported, are
their own sufficient condemnation.—lbid.

- -
POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

MANSION-HOUSE

Mr. Bowler, Secretary to the Mines Royal Cop-
per Company, Upper Thames-street, appeared at the
Justice-room to prefer a charge against two men
named Baylit and Baker.
_ _

Mr. Bowler stated, that Baker, who is a porter,
called at the Company's office, on Friday, with a
mitten order for some copper, professing to come
from Mr. Butler, of Wigmore-street, a customer of
the company. The order was for lcwt. 661b.--2oz.
It occurred to him that the writing was not that of
Mr. Butler, and he was soon confirmed irethe
opinion by that gentleman himself, who happened
to call. The prisoner was absent at this time, but
he returned in a quarter of an hour for the copper,
which was given to him by the direction of the
witness, who took care that he should .be followed,
in order, if possible, to trace the imposture to its
source.

John Mitchell, warehouseman to the Company,
accompanied by two officers, followed from the
Company's premises. Baker went along without
stopping anywhere, until he reached Fleet-market.
There he stopped upon being met by Baylis, the
other prisoner, to whom he delivered the bill.of
parcels. The two prisoners then went on con-
versing together as far as Shoe-lane, when Baylis
ran away, leaving Baker with the load of copper
still in his possession. Neither witness nor the
officers had spoken to the prisoners at the time.
They continued to follow Baker, who went as far
as Seven Dials, when he was apprehended in a
public.house by an officer.
Betterton, the officer confirmed this account, and
added, Baylis had been taken in Shoe-lane unknown
to Baker. The pris'oners were both remanded.
Amongst the paupers who were brought up was
a wretched young woman, about 20 years of age,
with a child in her arms, and accompanied by a sister
who appeared rather idiotic than insane. The mi-
serable group had been found the preceding night in
a perishing state. They had but just arrived in
London from Staffordshire. The husband was out
of employment, and had come to town in search of
some; but under one of those unaccountable im-
pulses which misery sometimes communicates to her
victims, whether in the selfish hope of providing for
himself, or at the vague suggestion of despair, he
snatched a kiss from his infant, ran off from his fa-
mily, and has not since been heard of. Such was the
exhaustion of the mother, that the infant had been
some days deprived of its natural nourishment.
They were ordered to be taken care of in the
workhouse.