Star.
London, England, 1831-01-03 00:00:00

reform, our readers may probably recollect, that one of the
questions specified, Wu limited merely to ascertain,
what alteration ht • )eut system we mese"
gory , to bring the state of tation beck ID
die position in which it was anciently, as far as
can be traced in die constitutional history of the
country. We then expressed our opinion, that the importaiti
and legitimate question, for present discussion, was one which.
while it was limited by what might preserve the essentials of
the British Constitution, as establishad,was not necessarily
▪ to the exact letter of what had been the laws and cas-
te= of antiquity; and such is still our sentiment ; but wahine
always been of opinion, that if even the people of liegleadl
were to receive merely a restitution, of what research must
convince any person, was anciently enjoyed by them,
they would have little farther to be anxious about.
The perusal of a very able article, on Parliamentary Re-
form, in Frazer's Magasias for this month, has brought this
question more directly under oar consideration. The writer
east article, in addition to much reasoning and illustrative
matte: of fact of his own, to prove the necessity of entirely
removing the notorious corruptions of our present system,
has made some very interesting extracts, from a work lately
published by Mr. Sergeant MILREWETHEII, entitled, "Au
Address to the King, the Lords, and Commons, on the re-
presentative Constitution of England," which we recom-
mend to. such of our Readers who may. not have
perused _ the work referred to ; as we think it
will convince them, that the existing errors in
our representative pectic*, are really abases, or de-
viations from what formerly existed. The following passage
from Mr. Sergeant MIZZWITIBIIIeS work, is &swami
enumeration of the most flagrant errors, in our existing re-
presentative system :—" That Old Sarum should return
Members to Parliament; that large and increasing places
be excluded, and that the right of representation should

be deposited in the chests of the' owners of Burgage-tentire
Boroughs ; that the municipal jurisdiction and authorities
intended for the public good, should be reduced to the pee-
,session of a few individuals for the purples of parliamentary
influence ; and that for the same object, non-residents and
honorary freemen, should be increased to an unlimited ex-
tent, are crying and oppressive evils."
Mr. Sergeant • BIM'S", ZTH tit proceeds to prove, that
almost all the evils we have enumerated, have originated in
mistaken, and erroneous decisions, from time to time, of the
House of Commons, and its Committees ; and are really
at entire variance, with the most ancient practice of our an-
cestors, and spirit of our ancient representative constitution.
We are sorry our space will not allow us at present, to ex-
tract the very satisfactory proofs of the position, which the
Learned Sergeant has adduced for the information of the
public ; but we think, if candidly perused, they will con-
vince evert. person, that even a reform, based on couseitu-
tonal bistory,woold not be at any important variance,from that
which would be the result of judgment, unrestrained by
considerations of prior right. We have very little
doubt, but that our present Administration have the

subject anziossly at /wart ; and we have great cone-
deuce, both in their judgment and integrity. We hops
the public will await patiently for what is to be pre-
pared by government; and not fix its determination
prematurely an particular objects, which, by splitting the
friends of reform into small parties, wall ultimately weaken
and render ineffectual, that struggle for essentials, which
should be made, as with one heart and one head.

Before the adjournment of the two Houses it was under-
stood, though not announced, that after the recess, a piss
would be developed by ministers for restoring the issues of
Oil IPOUSD MOTU. This would truly be a boon to the rut-
tion ; but as restrictions and securities ware spoken of, it
mug not be dissembled that the value of this concession de-
ponds on their nature. Many persons suppose that one pound
notes are desirable to Bankers themselves, but this is a vul-
gar error. The stamp. the printing, the papas, &c. ab-
sorb all the profit sa NW pound notes, while they involve
much care and trouble. The advantage arises entirely
to the public, in the facilities which such surrency af-
ford to traders and manufacturers in small pay-

meats. To such persons the withdrawal was an
obstruction of all business, while such notes also added
to their current capital. To the bankers they merely fad-
litate the cimalationof fives and teas, and is that respect only
are useful to them. In truth, many hankers maids. one-
pound notes as so disadvantageous and trenbieseme.
that a full third never issued any, and adspesd AIM
of their neighbours in their own surreal transactions.
We repeat, therefore, that this benefit to the ;labile;
will depend ea the good sense sad liberality, by which the
measure is distinguished ; for any irksome restriction, or
any Amuses which impertinently imply doubts of the sal•
nary of existing establishments, will be resented by the
high-spirited parties, and we shall this coatings to be
fettered by a currency utterly inadequate to the vast trade
of this mighty commeraki emery.
We regret that in the notice, on Saturday, of the lan-
dos petition for a General Amnesty to the labouring deter%
and for redress of grievances, to precede the operates of law,
we omitted to do credit to the zealous exertions making In
London, and elsewhere, by Tall SOCIIITT Or Fatima.
These genuine Christians an never backward, wheat tie
pubis'

of humanity aro called into exertion. In ear
Paper of to-morrow, we hope to And room for the London
Petition, now lying for signature in various parts of
the town. Beneath we have inserted that which
has arrived from Neurcestie-upos-Tyne. As we have
a rooted and religious abhorrence 1 at any sprat'.
motion to a system of terror, we Imams that our pre-
sent Ministry, whom collectively and individually we 1111
highly respect, should have ventured on the animus sew:
of mating a Speeial Commission " Into the Wok"
we believe, since 1686, sad that Parlimmemt *di
not previously to such a pressgang, have selimplal sane
ammo of a truly heeling character.

( Ppm the Ntwessi.)
To do Mae. Mut a.. .
WI, far *lay% am* Mika aid bpi WON, NMI.
we it Newcomb ifs tee sol dos Omit, fa.

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