Star.
London, England, 1824-04-21 00:00:00

CHRISTI.kNIA, APRIL 2.

On the 23d ultimo, Mr. Kuslruh moved in the
Storthing, that for the future 64,C00 dollars species—
[a dollar species, or species dollar, is worth '25 per cent.'
more than a dollar:l—be paid to his Majesty for his
household, and 32,000 to the Crown Prince, in ready
'money, instead of Bank notes. On the 27th, Mr.
llenslruh moved that Norway should contribute its
share to the expenses of the tour of the Crown Prince
in foreign countries; and Mr. Bull moved that an an-
nual sum be fixed for the household of the Crown Prince
in Norway.
On the 27th, Count Wedel Jarlsberg was chosen
President of the Storthing.

If du►ing the last few years we have not been able
to lessen the aggregate of c►ime, we have at least mo►e
clearly ascertained its character and progress, by the
animal statements that are made up fro►n the official
tett': ns received at the office of the Secretary of State
for the Home Department.

The statistical return for the year 1823 has just been
printed, and, on comparing it with the statement of
the preceding years, we are compelled to acknowledge
that the retrospect is by no means satisfactory ; and the
prospect of amelioration is not very great. In the me-
tropolis crime appears to have been nearly stationary
during the last eight years; the number of persons
committed for trial in London and Middlesex, during
the year 1817 being 2686, and in 1823, 2503; in 1820
the number was 2'773. but in the following year it had
fallen to 2480. Considering, however, how much the
pcipulation of London has been increased in the time, we
may fairly infer that crime is not on the increase: and
if we turn to the country, we shall feel that opinion
strengthened. It appears, by the returns, that in the
year 1817, 13,932 persons were committed for trial in
England and Wales, and in 1819, 14,254 ; but the
number in 1823 is only 12,263, being a diminution of
more than fourteen per cent. on the aggregate of crime.
The number of capital convictions and executions do
not correspond in the same proportion; indeed the lat-
ter have sensibly diminished during the last fourteen
years. In the first seven years, about one in seven or
eight sentenced to death were executed ; and in the lat-
ter seven years, about one in eleven or twelve only ; and
in the last ?par about one in seventeen only, throughout
England and Wales; and but one in ten in the metropolis.
Notwithstanding, however, the increase of offenders
committed, and of the increase of convictions in pro-
portion, yet convictions of climes of magnitude and
atrocity appear to have decreased in the last two or three
years. In this respect alone it is that we can look with any
degree of gratification over the table, of delinquency.

Yesterday forenoon the boys of Christ's Hospital, in
number about (i6O, walked from thence in procession
to the •Hryal Exchange, where they fell out of rank,
and each walked about with his friends, from whom
they received presents of fruits and sweetmeats. At one
o'c;ock they again formed into procession, and, headed
by their Masters, they proceeded to the Mansion House,
where they were admitted to see the Egyptian Hall,
with the ornaments and decorations, as fitted up for the
grand dinner on the preceding day ; after which they
returned with their beadles and nurses through the
great saloon, where the LORD MAYOR, RECORDER,
CIIAMBERLAIY, Sheriffs, and several Aldermen, were
seated, in their robes of office, with the LADY MAYORESS
and several other Ladies. Each of the boys then re-
ceived a plum-cake and a glass of port wine, and a shil-
ling or a sixpence, according to their respective merits.
Alter this ceremony, his Lordship, the Sheriffs, Alder-
men, &c. &c. after partaking of an elegant cold colla-
tion, went in state procession to Christ Church, New.
gate-street, to hear the Spital Sermon, by the Rev.
SAMUEL CROWTU ER, M.A.

GuEsnAnD, by iA hat Ile calls his " Prospectus of
a Royal Spanish Loan," is trying once more to raise
money for King FERDINAND. He talks learnedly about!
the millions to be borrowed—the interest to be paid—
the sundry series or bonds, professing to represent 200
piasters each—the privilege offered to the holders of
tossing up for the priority of payment—and, what is
best of all, be pt esumes to tell the world, that the whole
loan.is to be repaid in '2O years from the day on which
the money shall have been lent to him !I--CredatJudceus!
SancoPuAGUa.—The memorable Sarcophagus, une
La the finest and most perfect remains of remote anti-
quity, which has long been deposited in the
Museum, has, wt dad, at length been rurchased by
J. SOANE, E-I.•