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


party in France, are evidently men who are anxious to stop
the progress of revolution ; but is it not evident, that a very
large party—probably the most nutuurous, certainly the most i
ardent and efficiently active—are dissatisfied at the present li-
mits of popular influence?—and is it not evident, that they are
not without able men, ready to become leaders in their cause ?
Young France, as the junior part of the population is em-
phatically designated, is in arms ; and young France, it is to
be feared, will give the law to the old. We are, with re-
gret, therefore, obliged to conjecture, that Ca ira may be
chaunted as the national song of oar brave, but unsettled
neighbours for the year 1831, if not a little longer. We are,
however, a little less apprehensive of the future phases of
revolution being as terrific as the past, from a conviction
that the popular mind in Fence has received, during the
interval, much real improvement from the progress of in-
telligence.

In enlarging our view to include the other important
Continental states, we are not without hopes that the pro-
gress of revolution, by which we mean violent change, may
be checked in the only efficient, legitimate, and desirable
mode, by the Governments themselves, at last corking their
own regeneration and improvement. ;
The King of PRUSSIA, it is said, is about to give a new
constitution to his people. We have not yet beard of a si-
Inner wire resolve, directing the policy of the Austrian
Sovereign; and if such should not be the case, no
soothsayer is required to foretell, that a new European
volcano must burst forth, in his Empire. He is not a bad
Sovereign in disposition ; but although no tyrant, espionage
is but a clumsy mode of protecting institutions, which pro-
duce enmity from their defects, and capability of abuse.
Russian policy is always obscure. Report, if credited,
would induce us to hope, that prudence is likely to shield
the Polish patriots. We place no confidence in the winter
declarations of the Autocrat--we fear they will not last longer
than the frost.

Our Home prospects we consider cheering, not because
our national, difficulties are not immense; but, because
we think our Government correctly appreciates them,
and is well inclined to adopt the only remedies for their re-
moval. We must confess, we are more apprehensive of an
injudicious a ant of confidence, and impatience in the people,
than want of a correct feeling of duty, and inclination to act
well, in the Government. The friends of popular advance-
ment should, we conceive, not render inefficient, honest exer-
tions to accomplish much peaceably, just from an impatience
to accomplish more. As far as the constitution of Government
can secure national welfare, we think the British people
commence the new year, under auspicious circumstances.
We have a Monarch the best, and most beloved, that per-
haps ever occupied the throne of these realms ; and
we have every reason to place confidence, as we have al
ready said, in his Councillors. Such are our honest pre-
sentiments, as to the fortunes of the year, we now com-
mence.

RIS, DEC. 28.—Unhappy Poland: The Russian Au-
tocrat is, perhaps, already on his march with his innumera-
ble armies to stifle the independence of Poland, and drown
its liberty in torrents of blood ; there is no doubt bat the re-
sistance will be worthy of the heroes who contended with
so much magnanimity against the savage Suwarrow. But
they will, perhaps, he overwhelmed by numbers, and who
can say where the vengeance of irritated despotism will
stop? The insurrection in Poland is a consequence of our
revolution. This brave nation thought of us when it broke
its chains—it saluted the tri-coloured flag, and without
doubt it hoped in us. What ought Government to do under
such circumstances ? It ought to raise a powerful voice in
favour of an oppressed people, the old friend, the faithful
ally of France, which assisted us in our wars with Europe,
which fought, conquered, and suffered with us. Let the
Government save Poland—this is the wish of France. Let
us not deceive ourselves; when Poland is conquered, the
Russian ignites will come and attack among us the principle
which stirs up nations, and troubles absolute Kings. All
diplomatic protestations to the contrary tend only to deceive
us, to lull us into false security. Why fear a magnani-
mous resolution ? It is most always the prudence of States-
men.

(From the Mond*sr of Wednesday, Dee.
PARIS, Mc. 28.
Every poet that arrives from the Departments brings us
the proof that the troubles, of which Paris had nearly be-
come the theatre, will have served only to give the provinces
an occasion to display with more energy their patriotism,
and their love of the King and the Charter of 1830. Every-
where, as at Rouen, Dieppe, and Versailles, the National
Guards have offered to join their brethren in arms at Paris,
in cue their assistance should be necessary to restore
order. At Melun, on the day when the news came of the
events at Paris, the officers of the National Guard gave an
entertainment to the officers of the garrison. " Vivo le Roi,"
" Vive l'Ordre Public I" Such was the cry of the guests.
The Departments of the Euro and Loire, the Aube, the
Sarthe, and the Somme, have manifested the most lively
sentiments at the conduct of the Parisian National Guard.
At Tours the same enthusiasm in favour of our citizen
soldiers was shown. Scarcely had the Prefect announced
that some attempts of the agitators were baffled, when
the whole population replied by cries of " Vivo le Roi
In the Department of Vienne, an Address was already
drawn up to his Majesty, asking permission to join hit
brave Parisian Guard, when the issue of the events at
Paris doubled their enthusiasm. The anarchists may Mitre
convinced themselves by personal observation of the love
of Paris for public order and liberty ; they have but to
visit the Departments, and they will see that the pro-
vinces in nowise yield to the capital in attachment to the
charter of 1830, or to popular Royalty.

The foreign Exchanges yesterday afternoon underwent a
further depression, and were generally from one quarter to
one-fifth per cent. lower than on last post day. The rate
on Paris has fallen from 25f 50c to 25f 40c a 45c ; that on
Hamburgh from 13 1 lif to 11 a i : and the rate on Am-
sterdam closed at 11 19e. The Exchange on Rio Janeiro
was also lower.

The Annual Meeting of the Merchant Seamen's Bible
Society took place on Thursday at the Jerusalem Coffee-
house, Cornhill, Captain W. Young, R.N. in the Chair.—
According to the Report, which was read by Mr. E. Suter.
one of the Secretaries, the copies of the Scripture distributed
during the. last year exceeded that of every former one, ex-
cept 1818-19—a fact which, it was contended, proved that
the Society had effected some good among the seamen. The
balance which remained in hand was then stated to be 2121.
16e. Id. and Resolutions having been adopted in support of
the Society, and thanks voted to the Chairman, the meeting
miarateld•

TATNN'
•

CITY, ONE O'CLOCK.
Consols which left off yesterday 821 i for the amount,
opened at 826 ;at present they are 8; with little or
nothing doing. In the Foreign Market Spanish Bonds have
improved I per cent.
Our arrivals this morning are so scanty that we have no-
thing to report, with the exception of the express from
Paris.

_
In the Stock Exchange, it is positively said that the prices
of 3 per Cent. Rent's, quoted in the Herald at 63-60, is a
mis-print, and that they are only 62-60.
It appears, according to the Paris information, that every
thing is going on favourable ; and that the Ministers in fu-
ture are determined to act with vigour against all attacks
from the opposite party ; still there appears to be a hidden
danger. The Republican party are numerous and powerful,
and will watch every opportunity to bring about a Republican
Government. It will be a difficult task on the part of the
King of France to please both parties.
CITY. TWO O'CLOCK.

This being New Year's Day, there is but a thin attend-
ance at the Stock Exchange and Foreign Markets, with
scarce any business doing.
Consols have continued, daring the morning at 82i I for
the Account.

The calling out of the pensioners to serve as constables,
has caused some surprise in the City ; from which it is
imagined that Government are in possession of some infor-
mation that the public aro not aware of.
At present another supposition is, that troops will be
wanted to go to Ireland ; whilo the pensioners are to aid in
keeping the peace at home.
We understand that a new loan of one million has been
contracted for, for the young Queen of Portugal.
The Foreign market is in the same state of stagnation as
that of the British market.

NAVAL INTELLIGSNCE.
--•••••-•..41iP•-•.-

Mau AIM= Tun DAL—Dublin, I.

DEAL, Dec. 31.--Wind S. W. squally.
POIVISKOOTM. Dsc. 31.—Wlad W.S.W.—Arrived off the Wight,
the Ragland, Read, from Bengal—sailed 23d July.
PLT)100111, Dec. 30.—Wind S.E.—Arrlved hie Majesty's Alp
Windsor, from the Mediterranean ; and Alert, Smith, from Charente.
FALKOCTII, Dec. 30.—Wind S&L to ES E. fresh gales, and
squally.—Arrivedehe Elisabeth, Lang. from Prince Edward's Island ;
and Caroline, Churchward, from Newfoundland.
Tossar, Dec. 31. Arrived the Queen, Fos, from Seville, with loss
of bowsprit.
Pessascs, Dec. 30.—Arrived the Janvren, —, from Trieste...

Liviaroor., D. 50.—Arrived the Peru, —, from Philadelphia ;
Cyrus Davison, from Mirantichl ; and Messenger, Mortimer, from
Lisbon.
The Albion, Brown, from London to Berbice, ran on shore to the
eastward of Ramsgate harbour yesterday, after being on shore near
Kinpdown. Cargo discharging, and the vessel expected to be got off,
but not without much damage.
The William. Jarrard, from Yarmouth to Newcastle. was on shore
oa Goriest= Beach yesterday, and it was feared would be wrecked.

THE HON. CAPTAIN SPENCER.

01..-.--
MALTA, Dec. 4.—On the 9---... d Nov. the Madagascar arrived at Alex-
andria, with Lord Clarke and suite; at four o'clock Captain Spencer, in
good health and spirits, at down to dinner with his party; at six he
was taken ill, and died the next morning at nine o'clock.
After the frigate takes wake/a, we understand Captain Spencer's
remains will be deposited in one of our Bastions, and a monument
erected to his memory by his relative, our worthy Governor.
By the death of Captain Spencer the following changes take place in
the squadron :
Captain Lions removes from the Blonde into the Madagascar; Sir
T. Palaly into the Blonde • Captain Graham into the Rattlesnake; and
Lieut. Burners into the Philomel.

A petition has been prepared from the Householders of
London, to the King, craving pardon for the deluded scary
ing peasantry of the five counties. It is supposed that it
will receive from 30 to 40,000 signatures. A petition to
the same effect, has already reached town, from Messrs.
ATTWOOD, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and others are pre-
paring through the country.
When the Duke of Wellington with his usual self-
complacency, asserted the very doubtful fact, that
there was nearly as much currency in 1830, as in 1820
and drew from it the inference that the faci-
lities of circulation were as great as before, he be-
trayed his ignorance of the nature of circulation.
It is the mode and manner of the issue which creates the
advantages or disadvantages ,of all currency. Ten times
the usual amount in London would effect little for the coun-
try ; and the issue of three millions by country bankers to
manufacturers and others on the spot, would effect more
general benefit than the existence of thirty in the hands of',
London Capitalists. No idea can be more absurd, than to 1,
suppose that bankers will borrow to lend—give first-rate
security, for second-rate One wiseacre supposed they might
deposit stock as security—that is, buy stock with cash, to
be enabled to issue an equal amount of notes, for the mere
pleasure of sustaining the interests of the country !
' The exportation of the precious metals is again becom-
ing pretty considerable. The entries within a short period
for tbc shipment of gold coin, and foreign silver coin, and
bars, had nearly amounted to 700,000 ounces. The princi-
pal entry was for Calais, made a day or two back, when
notice was given of the export to that port of 400,000
of foreign silver coins and bars. There had been other ni-
-1 tries of 160,000 oz. of silver coin and bars, and 20,000
oz. of gold coin for Rotterdam; and 85,000 oz. of foreign
gold and silver coin for St. Petersburg.
There have been several entries made for the shipment of
muskets, pistols, gunpowder, and other warlike articles,
Iduring the last few days, to ports of the continent, and in
the whole the value may be estimated at about 6,2001.
Other orders for similar articles of British manufacture, are
in the course of completion, The ports to which the ship-
ments were principally sent were to Dunkirk, Bayonne, &e.
Nzw Yzaa's DAY.—It has been estimated that the
amount expended upon bon-bons and sweetmeats alone, for
presents on New Year's Day in Paris, exceeds 20,0001. ster-
ling; while the sale of jewellery and fancy articles in the first
week in the year is computed at one-fourth of the sale during
the twelve months. It is by no means uncommon for a Pa-
risian of 8 or 10,000 francs a year to make presents on New
Year's Day which cost him a fifteenth part of his income. At
an early hour of the morning this interchange of visits and
box-bons is already in full activity, the nearest relations being
first visited, until the furthest in blood, and their friends
and acquaintance, have all had their calls. A dinner is
given by some member of the family to all the rest, and the
evening concludes, like Christmas-day, with cards, dancing,
or other amusements. In London, New Year's-day is not
observed by any public festivity; Ire only open demonstra-
tion of joy is the ringing of merry peals from the belfries of
the numerous steeples late on the eve of the old year, until
after the chimes of the clock have sounded its last hour.
We may have done well to drop what Prynne, in his
Histrio Mastic, calls " a mews relique of paganisme and
idolatry, derived from the heathen Romans' feast of two-
faced Janus, which was spent in mummeries, stage plays,
dancing and such like enteriodes, wherein fidlers and others
acted lascivious effeminate parts, and went about the towns
and cities in women's apparel; but, however the celebra-
tion of the New Year's Day may have been Mimed is the
earlier ages by pagan associations andsupwsddeue rites,
nothing can be man truly Christian than to usher k is with
every cheerful observance that may explain gratitude to-
wards Heaven and promote a kindly and social haling
our friends and fellow-creatures.—[ExtraMed free
No. of The National Library, Festival,, Canes, te.,
a volume by that popular author, Horace Smith.]