Star.
London, England, 1820-09-22 00:00:00

CHARGE OF LIBEL.

. Yesterday, little Waddington was put to the Bar
to take his trial upon the charge of having published
a wicked and seditious Libel, for the purpose of ex-
citing sedition amongst the soldiers, and alienating
them from their allegiance to his Majesty.
Waddington, having been arraigned, pleaded Not
Guilty.; and then addressed the Chairman, requesting
that the Jury should be sworn in his presence. They
had been sworn before he entered the Court, but
he said it would be a satisfaction to him to see
the thing done.
The CIIAIRMtM immediately directed that the
book should he banded to the Jury. The Foreman
loving taken it, Waddington was called upon for his
objection, if he had any.
, 'Waddington then said*, If any tax-gasbag, or

~erson employed by Government. or Connected with
Government, or contractor for Government, is in
that bot, 1 object to his being sworn."
The Foreman said, he believed that there was no
person of that description in the box.
The CHAIRMAN put i; to the Gentlemen" of the
Jury, whether any of them answered the description
given by Mr. Waddington ; if that was the case, he
was convinced those so descried would have honour
and feeling now to retire from the box.
The Jury, after a short conversation amongst
themselves, declared, that no person of the kind
objected to was in the blx.
Waddington said, he had no further-objection.
As soon as the Jury were sworn the second time,
he applied for, and was instantly accommodated with,
pen, ink, arid paper, for the purpose of taking notes.
Mr. RF:vsornas then rose, and stated the case in a
speech of considerable force. lie said, the offence
with which the defendant was charged way one of the
most serious description, being no less than a delibe-
rate attempt to alienate the affections of the military
from his Majesty, by the publication of one of the
most gross lihels that have appeared before a Court
of Justice. The Learned Counsel then proceeded to
state the substance of the libel, which he said Wad-
dington had thought fit to .publish .at a period when
the public mind was in a state of great agitation, in
consequence of the proceedings which it had been
deemed expedient to institute against her Majesty.—
The libel was in the shape of a placard, and it stated
that the soldiers were the friends of the injured Queen,
that they would support her rights, and then a de-
pendence might be placed upon their equal eagerness
to support the rights of the country. It then alluded
to the Revolutions in Spain and Naples, and called
upon the people to love the soldiers, who were all
friends to the Queen, but who were cut off from all
communication with the rest of the Public, and, in
fact,: prevented from seeing the faces of their coun-
trymen, except with their bayonets fixed, or drawn
swords.. The Learned Counsel dwelt upon these
sentiments as peculiarly calculated to inflame, but he
thanked Gon that the loyalty of the soldiers was
above the weakness of being shaken by such an appeal.
—Evidence was called, proving the publication of
the libel, and it was put in and read by the Clerk of
the Court, as follows :

" ENGLISHMEN !—Love the brave Soldiers, for they are your
brothers, natives of the same country, sufferers in the same cala-
mities. They have achieved victories which no soldiers, either
ancient or modern, perhaps ever equalled—certainly never ex-
celled. However reprehensible the motives which caused the
war in which those victories were achieved, still the conduct of
the British and Irish soldiery reff:cts immortal honour upon the
arms of your country. But what is the reward of all theta vic-
tories? Are not these brave men confined in barracks ?—cut
off from all communication with society ?—never permitted to
see the faces of their fellow-countrymen, unless it be with fixed
bayonets or drawn swords in their hands? The Soldiers to a
man love your injured Queen ; they are determined to support
her rights—to protect her honour : and, depend upon it, the
hour will shortly arrive when they will shew themselves equally
determined to support the rights and liberties of their country.—
Remember Spain and Naples ! and love and respect the Soldiers.
Eighteen hundred dollars per month paid to two Italian swearers.
How many soldiers would this money make cor,:ortable?"
Waddington then proceeded upon his defence with
a great deal of calmness and collectedness. He was
sure, he said, that the Gentlemen of the Bar had
done their duty to themselves and their employers,
in exercising their talents against him ; but there was
another question, with which he believed the Learned
Gentlemen had not had quite !.o much to do, namely,
the question of their duty to the Public. They had
been professionally taught to reptesent what was
right the wrong way. But it could not be helped ;
the Gentlemen were earning a livelihood in the best
way they could, according to their judgment; but
when he was apprehended, he was .engaged in the
same sort of duty towards himself, in earning a live-
lihood. When he entered upon the business, he was
convinced he was not performing an illegal act, and'
he was now equally convinced that the Jury did not'
consider this bill a libel. Why a libel was a mere
creature of the imagination, and that was a manly
appeal to Englishmen, built upon the authority of
the Bible itself. It called upon them to love their
fellow-creatures; and were we not instructed by' the
Sacred gook to be in brotherly love with each other?
He recommended the friendly connexion, both when
he considered-the character of these who were not sol- '
diers, and those who were to be celebrated in history
for the blood which they had shed for their country.
His opinion was, that the soldiers were highly de-
serving of praise. He contended, that this was not
so much a prosecution against himself as- against the
Press, and begged to know whether there was any
thing condemnable in saying that the soldiers loved
an injured Queen?—Why had not the Morning Post
been prosecuted ?—He then read some observations
which appeared 'against the Queen in that Paper,
and said, that if his bin had been to that effect, and
recommended the making a martyr, by boiling or
roasting, there would have been no complaint; but a
hireling Press was at work, and these were times
when men might expect to be prosecuted even for
thinking what might be called sedition. Grand Ju-
ries would find true bills, for the matter lay all easily
before them; but, thank Goo! there were other sorts
of Juries.—Why had not Flindeirs Luminary, which
contained a direct and cowardly attack upon -the
Queen, been prosecuted, instead of that bill, which
was no more a libel than loyalty was a cause of cor-
ruption ? It all sheered, that ever stnce her first ac-
quittal, she had been beset by spies; but as the 21st
chapter of Proverbs, 25th and 26th verses, says—
" Strength and honour are her clothing, and she shall
rejoice in time to come. Yes, she bath opened her
mouth in wisdom." Had she not proved her mercy,
too, as well as her Strength and honour, by permit-
ting Mr. Majocchi, her enemy, to go, after he had
committed what he might have been mad:. to answer
for? He should say nothing of the highest Autho-
rity, more than that he knew not those things to
which others Were privy—that he knew no more of
what had been done, and what had been doing, than
the deaf or the dumb. The defendant concluded
by quoting a passage from Solomon.
The CHAIRMAN asked Whether he had any wit-
nesses to call ?
Waddington" Sir, my cause has no occasion for
.witnesses."
The CIIAIRMAN (Mr. Coxst) said, the indictment
charged the defepdant with a crime of great magni-
tude. The question had branched into subjects with
which it bad nothing to do, inasmuch as the conduct
of other publications had no reference to-that which
-was laid before thzu. Although Alm-At-41 of the

(basin had prodnettil a great deaf of speaking 3,1
writing, both against 'her Majesty and agains: those
who instituted the proceedings, that Court ha_i not
to question whether she was properly or improperly
arraigned. A time might come for the consideration
of that question. In the meantime, it would be but
prudent and fair to withhold the application of hard
terms from either party. The question was, whetimr
this paper had been published, bona Ale' will the
view merely to political observation and fair part,:
discussion, or as a vehicle for the introductiort-ef
comment of a seditious and dangerous effect. If tl7e.
Jury were of the former opinion, Mr. Wadding tea
was entitled to an acquittal; if cf the latter, he :trim
be responsible for •one of the most heinous-offences
against society.—The Jury retired, and in an hoer
returned with a verdict of Not Guiltg.
Waddington immediately took his hat andwatkef
quietly from the hit- to his friends in the 11-01,
congratulated the little man with loud shoats, aij
clapping of hands.
ANOTHER CEIAEGE OF Lula.

William Holmes, a person of indigent Appearance,
was indicted for having published a seditious and
malicious libel, calculated and intended to exci.e
the soldiers against the Government, and alienate
them from their fidelity and allegiance to the King.
The CHAIRMAN pronounced the libel to be of the
most flagrant description. As to the defendant. he
had told what, unfortunately, often happened, that
men distributed poison without knowing what it wac.
ft was, however, through his means the paper got
before the Public, and he should have known better,
and was responsible.
The Jury immediately returned a verdict of Guiltd,
but recommended the defendant to mercy. .

....
The CHAlRMAN.—Certainly the recommendation
.of a Jury shall be always attended to.
The CHAIRMAN, in passing sentence, said, the re-
commendation of the Jury did not lessen the guilt of
the defendant, who had published one of the most
atrocious libels that ever disgraced the public Press.
He then sentenced the defendant to—" Imprisonment
in the House of Correction for Six Months."

The following Answer has been returned by het
MAJESTY to the• United Incorporations of Mary's
Chapel, of the City of Eciinbur3h :
" The United Incorporations of Wright, and Masons, ani
six of r trades, commonly known by the name of. the United
Incorporations of Mary's Chapel, in the City of Edinburgh, will
accept my unfeigned thanks for this affectionate Address.
" I feel the most unhesitating assurance that the present con-
spiracy against my lionol!r and my rights will experience the
fate of its predecessors ; that it will leave my reputation unsul-
lied ; and bring disgrace only on the contrivers of the plot, with
all its subordinate auxUiaries. _ _ _

' My life will fnr.lish a singular example of the native strength
of truth and innocence. These have been my principal suppoi t
against a host of enemies; and of enemies, too, armed with all
the powers of a mighty State; famished with unlimited supplies
of money, and assisted by a degree of corrupting influence such
as no Government ever.possessed before. But this enemy, so
vast in might, and so unbounded in his means, has been van-
quished by the force of troth, assisted by the Liberty of the
Press. It is the Press by which the sympathies of the People
have been most powerfully excited, and by which myriads of
' friends in every part cf the kingdom have been called forth to
protect my interests and tt: advocate my rights.
" I strenuously exhort and earnestly requsst my friends in the
North, as well as in the South, never to lose sight of tSis truth,
that Britons can never be enslaved while the Press is free.—
Public opinion, which is a new power in States, and which- ise
salutary check upon every other power, owes its origin to the
Liberty of the Press; and it is impossible for one to survive the
other, or for liberty to exist when both are destroyed."
COVENT-GARIMN THEATRE.— The Beggars Open
was repeated last night, and Miss GREENE.S Polly
WAs marked with the same brilliant success which it
experienced the preceding night. The plaudits were
as frequent, the enthusiasm as ardent as before. She
may, we think, consider herself fairly stamped with
the seal of public approbation, and will dcubtleA
prove a very considerable acquisition to the Com-
pany. After the Opera, the principal dancerof the
Opera House, who have been engaged (with one ex-
ception, Mr. OSCAR BYRNE) for a limited number of
nights, made their first appearance in the grand
Ballet of Joconde ; or, Le Prince Troubadour. The
chief characters were supported by
Monsieur, Lachouque, Hullin (file), Toossairt, Than (pert,)
Le Blond; Mademoiselles Mllanie, Miss, Valet, and It,

This elegant little Piece is too 'well known to re-
quire any description, and it was produced in a
manner in all respects calculated to do great credit
to the taste and liberality of Ale Nlanarement. The
music was executed admirably well, the scenery and
decorations were truly magnificent, and the Per-
formers appeared to as great advantage as we ever
recollect to have seen them. From some cause, how-
ever, which it would not perhaps be very -difficult to
divine, a largeportion of the audience seemed to have
come with a pre-determination not to be. pleased.
This hostile disposition was very early manifested in
cries of " Off, of—no Italians !" and various other
vituperative salutations, some of which it would be
impossible for us to repeat. These hostilities were
directed from various quarters, but particularly from
the upper parts of the House.- The Ballet was
brought rather precipitately to a conclusion, and the
curtain fell amid a strong conflict of reprobation and
applause. Mr. CONNOR, who advanced immediately
after to give out the Play and Farce for to-morrow,
made no mention of a Ballet, which circumstance
was bailed, with what justice we know not, as a
triumph, by some of the angry spirits.

BIRTH.
Sept. le, at Manchester, the Lady of Capt. Slegg, Ist SoY4
Dragoons, of t daughter.