Star.
London, England, 1830-11-03 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF TILE JOURNALS.

POST—Yestertlay his Majesty went in the usual state to the House
of Lords, and opened the Session of Parliament with a Speech from the
Throne. Such a Speech is worthy of the occasion on which it was de.
livered, and will not fail to give universal satisfaction to the Nation.—
On the debates in both Houses we must content ourselves for the pre-
sent with observing, that the sophistical displays of Mr. Hume and
Mr. Brougham did no credit to their uolitical sagacity, and were totally
unworthy of any men having the slightest pretensions to the character
of Statesmen. We really did not suppose either of those Gentlemen
capable of such weakness of subterfuge u that in which they so pro-
fusely indulged on the occasion.

lIIIALD.—We are quite sure that if his Majesty had spoken the
genuine sentiments of his own heart, he would not have been content
with merely expressing his determination to enforce the vigour of the
laws, without at the same time, proposing also to Parliament to inquire
into the causes which induced any portion of his " faithful and loyal
people^ to be guilty of excesses in their nature highly criminal, and
calculated to render the misery of which they complain still more exten-
sive. When popular violence and the destruction of property are re-
sorted to as a means of redressing political evils, we admit that the first
duty of the Executive is to enforce the law; but certainly the next duty
is to inquire if the grievances of which the people complain actually ex-
ist ; and, if so, to endeavour to remove them. We regret, therefore, '
that when his Majesty very properly spoke of vindicating the authority
of the law, he did not also as strongly indicate his sympathy for the dis-
tresses of the people, and encourage the hope that, although violence
would be sure to bring down upon them certain punishments. their corn-
plaints would find ready attention, and their grievances meet with
prompt redress, by peaceable applications to Parliament and the
Throne.

Mfrs.—The conjuncture is an important and critical one, and the
King's speech, without pretending to expose or develop minutely the
future policy of the Government, alludes to topics or public interest in
a fuller manner than is usual. The change of Government in France is
a fact : it is simply stated as such in the speech. The affairs of Bel-
gium are treated of more at length, and with stronger hint,, of the pos.
:ability of our interference. We hope this part of the speech will not be
misunderstood by the public, and that we ourselves do not misunderstand
it. Internal interference, except in the way of arbitration or upon refer-
ence, we hope not to be intended. Indeed, the very next paragraph
speaks with confidence of the continuance of peace ; and the observations
of the Duke of Wellington and Sir It. Peel express more distinctly the
same hope. The passage which begins with the words " Impressed at all
dmes," intimates, at the same time, that the treaty of Vienna, with respect
to the territorial circumscription or boundary of the whole kingdom of the
Netherlands, will be retained and enforced at all hazards, whatever be
the internal government, by the great Powers of Europe. We now
come with pleasure to that part of the King's Speech, which, being ad.
dressed to the Commons exclusively, informs, through them, the pets.
pie of England, that his Majesty means to give up his dmits of the
Crown, or of the Admiralty, and, which is more still, the whole of the
West India duties, with all casual Godsends, many of which drop in to
the nation, to the people of England. We receive this boon with
unmingled satisfaction, both as a substantial benefit to the country,
and also as a proof of the regard which a kind-hearted So-
vereign (eels for his faithful subjects. That which he has be-
stowed with a generosity unprecedented, will, we have no
doubt, be received with gratitude and aflec:ion for the donor.—
The actual and political incendiaries, the firers of barns and haystacks,
and the inflamers of disunion and rebellion are spoken of in the same
breath ; and upon all these His Majesty, with great propriety, threat.
ens to inflict the penalties of the existing law, relying, as he always
may in such cases "on the loyalty and affectionate attachment of the
great body of his people !" The debates upon the speech in both Houses
of Parliament are interesting. The Duke's declaration on the subject
of reform will not escape notice ; but Lord Althorp's exposition, in the
House of Commons, of his own future course of action, that be will
support detached mantes of the Administration, which may seem usm
Cul to the State, though be would promote any measure for the overthrow
of the will, we apprehend, tend practically to keep the pre-
sent men together and in power; for as they are intent upon popular
measures, they will have his Lordship's assistance towards the accom-
plishment of cash, whilst a sweeping proposition for their removal
would bo negatived, from the difficulty of finding a body of successors.

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papers, reviews, and magazines, but the principal
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Mr. BENNIS is agent to the West of England Life Insurance
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English, and American Library."