Star.
London, England, 1827-05-14 00:00:00

MEETING OF FRIENDS OF CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS

LIBERTY.

84turday the Annual Meeting of the Protestant
Society, which was expressly established for the protection of Civil
and Religious Liberty, was held at the City of London Tavern,
Bishopsgate.street. The recent agitation of the question respecting
the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts, together with the
changes in the Ministry, tended to give an unusual interest to the
great Annual Meeting; from three to four thousand persons were
present, amongst whom were several Members of Parliament.—
Lord Viscount Mame was in the Chair. The Noble Chairman
having briefly stated the objects of the Meeting,
Mr. Joan WILK% the senior Secretary, proceeded to read the
Report, which was extremely voluminous. After recapitulating
the fundamental principles which form the basis of the Society,
It adverted to the progress which had been made during the
past year, with an expression of regret that the main object was
as yet unaccomplished. All the leading arguments in favour of
the Dissenters claims for the repeal of those laws which have
so long excluded them front civil zightsi' were warmly insisted
on ; but the Committee, at the same time, suggested that, consi.
dering the extraordinary and unexpezted change which had
taken place iu the Administration, it might not be prudent to
press those claims on the consideration of Parliament, at least dur-
ing the present Session, though they held those rights to be their
unalienable privilege. Several instances (of late occurrence) were
adduced, in proof of the galling and vexatious effect which the Test
and Corporation Acts had upon Dissenters of all denominations.—
The Report concluded with an earnest exhortation to the friends
of civil and religious liberty to persevere in their laudable endea-
vours, which would ultimately be crowned with success.
A host of Clergymen addressed the Meeting, who held out, that,
notwith.tavding the pointed manner in which the Prime Minister
had declared bis intention to oppose a repeal of the Test and Cor•
poration Acts, yet, by firmly petitioning Parliament, and using
every other lawful means, the obnoxious Statutes would be even.
.tually overcome.
The Rev. Mr. Hamlin, (of Bedford:., moved that the Report
be adopted, and contended that these obnoxious enactments were a
disgrace to the Statute Book, and unworthy of a free and enlightened
G overnment.

Several resolutionsZin unison with the sentiments embodied in the
report, were proposed and carried.
Mr. EA6TH, cc, the Member for St. Alban's, in moving one
of the resolutions, took occasion to remark, that he had been
greatly astonished at the declaration which the First Lord of the
Treasury was reported to haw, made, when the question of the
Test and Corporati n Acts was before the House—it was, that
he (Mr. Canning) considered that the disabilities, of which the
Dissenters complained, were merely theoretical. This &clam- '
riots was the more eitraordinary, coming from ono who was the
professed advocate of Catholic Emancipation, and the arrayed cham-
pion of civil and religious toleration. Had be (Mr. Easthope) been
in the House at the time, be would have felt it his duty tam to let
this declaration pass without reply. Unfortunately for the cause of
the Dissenters, many of thaw who were to legislate, were entirely
ignorant of the main question. The Hon. Gentleman declared him-
self favoutahle to Catholic Emancipation; and he was no less sin-
cerely devoted to civil and religious toleration in its general accepta-
tion, because the right of conscience never should be fettered by
legal enactments,

Lord Ishr.vou. in acknowledging a vote of thanks passed to
him, professed his unalterable attachnrent to the objects which
the Society had in view; his attachment was founded on the
basis of the constitution itself; and though the tolling of a bell
was refused to Dissenters, as a tribute of respect to departed
friends (to which allusion had been made by a former speaker),
his Lordship would not be so 'inch ,titable; ior if the Test and
Corporation Acts were dead, and decently buried, he would not
object to the bell being tolled for them—(Cheers). His Lord-
ship said, he should never abandon ibis great cause; and he hoped,
at no very distant period, to see these obnoxious enactments blotted
(torn the page of the Statute Book.—The Meeting then broke up.

Thursday, the Anniversary of the Royal Westmirster
institution for the ik.emes of the Eye, was commemorated by the
friends and Mnefacturs to that useful Charity, at Almack's Rooms,
St. Jarn-s's ; his Royal Highness the Duke of 04am,, Lord
High Admiral of Great Britain, in the Chair. The attendance was
numerous, and most respectable.

Saturday, the Annual Asiociatinn Dinner of the Me-
dical Officers of the Army, took place at the Thatched House Ta-
vern, in St. Janes's Street; rATILICIC M.Gamaoa, Esq. Sergeant
Surgeon to the King, in the Chair. The company was more
numerous than usual, amounting to 100 persona, and consisted of
some of the moat respectable Professional Gentlemen of the Me-
tropolis, besides Army Medical Officer, and other friends, amongst
whom were Sir Hanky HALTOM). President of the Royal College
of llysicians; Sir A Cowes, of the Royal College of Sur-
geons; Sir JAMIE, 111.01.16011; Sir WILLIAM FRANKLIN: Sir A.
liAritaior • the It/CORI/IR of London; Dr. Buoiorrr, of the Navy
Board; Doctors SOMFRiILLI. EXIMSON, Sear, GRISORY,

F 0141115, GOllOOll, BAILLIK Measr► IiILATI4 THOMAS, WARREN,
RUSK, RCM), M.I.11:00, FRINCH, &c. Major 31aaino ; Messrs.
MaariaiL, Ct.Aarq &c. The mama harmony and cordiality
sevailud, and the company did not aepasate till a late ham

LITERATURg.

The Military Vetch Book. 2 ,oh. 12mo. COLBUR d.

(secoxn Notice.)
We take an early opportunity of recurring to these
pleshing volumes, in order to furnish our Readers *ith
a more extended notice of this clever production, than
our limits would permit us to do in the article which
we gave in our columns a few days back. For the pot•
pose we now extract the following little narrative:

♦ LtTTLR CONSIPURNI:t
OR, A SMALL DIPTIRRIOCE IN RIGHT TO R 4

My consequence—nay consequence—my consequence!
bIUNIMN'S Sir Anthony Absolute.
A certain little Gentleman attached to the army of Lord Wel-
lington, while on the march in Portugal, mice took up his quarters
in the best house he could find, and having seen his horses well put
up in the rear of it, retired to the best apartment to indulge himself
in a cup of coffee ; which luxury, with many others, he was, from
the nature of his sitnation, enabled to carry with hint, while others,
his superiors, were obliged to put up with what they could procure
eft ',assent. Scarcely had his repot drawn off his boots and re-covered
his feet with slippers, when it was announced to him, that an
officer was below examining the stables, and had ordered his horses
to be put up in thens—thet the officer's baggage was already un-
loading at the door of the house—and that the officer himstilf had
selected the quarters in preference to any other in the village.
The slippered possessor, in all the conseqnente of his grade, im-
mediately determined that no man should turn him out of his
quarters, unless he could establish fully a claim to a rank superior
to his own—and that too pretty clearly ; in which resolution he
began to stride across the chamber with becoming dignity. At this
moment the officer in question entered the apartment, and proceeded
to inspect its conveniences without observing she occupier, who
with three formidable strides approached the intruder, and de-
manded what he wanted? which question was answered by the
officer's saying, that he wished to have the quarters in which he
then stood.

" You shall not have them, Sir, replied the little Gentleman; (WI
was about four feet four inches in height; but a very respectable
and dapper member of the army.) " You shall not have them,
Sir—l am determined on that."

" Pray, Sir," demanded the stranger with astonishment, " may I
be permitted to inpire what is your rank in the army?"
" My rank, Sir,' replied the little disputant, considerably WI.
tated; " my rank, Sir !"—At this moment he put his two hands
into his side pockets in a style that perfectly astonished the listener
—" I am, Sir—since you must know My rank—l am, Sir, Mr.
LIME, APOTHICART TO Tilt FORCES!"
" Indeed!" replied the stranger, "that rank, I presume, in Wising
quarters Is equivalent to a Lieutenant's?"
" Yes, Sir, it is, Sir," rejoined the Apothecary to the Forces;
" and now, Sir, let me ask you, Sir, what is your rank, Sir?"
" The only difference between our respective ranks is this," said
the stranger, " that you are Apothecary to the Forces ;—I am
Consmanderain Chief of the same Forces; and now, Sir, I order you,
to be out of these quarters in Kilian hour!"
The tiny Gentleman stared ; and with the most polite and sub-
missive bow, (when he had recovered front the consternation into
which the explanation had thrown bim,) pulled out kis watch and
said, Half on hour I your Lordship—haf an hour P that's very short
notice indeed I—say Writ/Zoe minutes, and it shall be done."
The Commander-in-Chtef nodded assort, and laughing heartily,
left the little Gentleman to take kis own time to removing.

The Guards. A Novel. 3 vols.l2mo. T. CLERC SMITH.
At no one time did our literature present so varied
an attractive appearance as now. We have our auto-
biographies, recollections, reminiscences, and portraits
and sketches of men of renown, with remarks on men
and manners in general ; military and naval sketch
books, with plain matter-olfact details, and spirited fic-
titious narrative; and in the room of the novels of the
Minerva class, that were wont to satisfy our tale•loving
ancestors, we have productions of a lighter genera,
blending information with amusement, and pleasant
satire with caustic observation. The volumes before us
are of the latter class, and altogether we have been
pleased with them, and can pronounce them as possess.
ing considerable interest. Our author introduces us to
" a Guardsman" in the first page of the first volume,
and he describes him as a being sui generis, not in the
vulgar interpretation of the swinish multitude, but.in
the most refined and sublimated acceptation of the
word ; an individual select, distinct, and separate from
the soldier or civilian of any other kind. After this
portrait we become acquainted with the hero of the
tale—but as we intend giving a copious extract we
forbear further remark, leaving the enjoyment of the
tale to those of our Readers, who intend to read the
book, and we imagine that after refusing the following
clever sketch of our gracious and beloved Sovereign,
our friends will do as we have dune, namely—read
The Guards.
" He who has ever had the honour and pleasure (for such an
advantage contains both) of seeing his present must gracious Ma-
jesty in a circle of society, which his amenity, elegant and polished
manners, and kind heart, have drawn round him, can alpue duly
appreciate the value of such a treat. The King has a variety of
talents the most eminently calculated to endear him to those who
approach him ; and the nearer that approach is, the greater the
power of the magnet: attachment irresistibly follows such ap-
prfiximation, for there are an infinity of reasons both fur loving
and admiring him. First, the condescendence which invites a sub-
ject to partake of his sumptuous hospitality ; next the him* of his
conversational abilities ; thirdly, the superlative polish of his exte-
rior ; fourthly, not only manners the most exquisitely refined, but
a manner which is all and quite his own, and which gives the last
touch of finished high breeding and affable politeness; and which,
like odours tit rich flavour which embalm the air, not only delight
those who enjoy their fragrance, but seem to impart a pnrtion of
it to those who come within their power and influence. the King,
doubtless, must have studied the Graces more than any other
crowned head or subject; but what has amply repaid bins for this
is, an ease which puts all study, art, method, and system beyond
the line of companion. Ms Majesty is naturally graceful in per-
son, attitude, and the play of countenance, and has a facility of
acquiring all the accomplishments of the body : but there is a huge
portion of mind mixed up with all this, which presided over his
studies, and bears a part in every gesture and change of his fea-
tures ; and there are also a warmth and kindness presiding over the
motions of his person and intellect, which gain him every heart,
and which make a stranger wonder how he can preserve such ex-
alted dignity mingled with qualities dependent on humility, and
which, in general, are strangers at Courts. But the fact is, that
the King nut only possesses a very strong and superior degree of
good sense and discernment ; but be has, from his earliest youth,
examined books and men. At the same time, he has not, like the
misty-minded Potentates of the larger portion of the Continent,
intrenched himself in cold pride, and been blinded by the cobwebs
of obsolete error and regal prejudice, string through the medium
of sycophants, and acting through the agency of interested minions.
The King, when Prince of Wales, mixed with his Nobility and
Gentry; descending the lofty steps which lead to palaces and
thrones, to view his people, not at a distance, but in close contact.
His smiling countenance (and his smile is of a peculiar radiancy and
attraction) was felt and welcomed by all who perceived it. At,
different Clubs, his (then) Royal Highness appeared as a private
character, with no star but the rays 01 an enlightened interior ; nu
decoration but a princely person and a noble heart ; seeking no
humiliating subserviency from those Wilol7l lie deigned to make his
intimates and arm companions; bur commanding duty, service,
deference, and love, from all those with whom he thus cordially and
kindly associated. In the sporting field the Prince of Wales was
a forward and a first-rate rider, a very fine and intrepid Irrsernan,
yet never forgetting gtacefulness—•which is not absent from him
one moment even in the most trivial at cunsstances or actions. At
the review or parade his fine person and sonorous voice were sent
and beard both with surprise and delight; with surprise, because
he had made himself must respectable as the Commanding Officer of
the field Jay ; with delight, because be went through his bullies.' in a
11101.! pleasant yet dignified style as a Colonel. Ilere lie stands
pre-eminent. The most grateful sight that a soldier and a subject
could posaibly enjoy was to see him mix with the officers of his re-
g, iment and make himself at once the brother, prince, and friend,
lout as he now is the lather, ornament, and the beloved monarch
of his people. So much for that innate goodness which enabled
him thus to rule and reign in the loyalty and affections of his people.
But with this inclination to be generous and kind, nature had also
most extensively gifted bins with a quick apprehension, whith seizes
knowledge in its first stage, and which, leading to taste and ele-
gance of idea, perfected ail which he undertook. Ills person manly
and gm:dui, his features soft pet expressiv2, a be. i.:,n snit e, ad:d

an harmonious cheerful voice, *cul,l setup allehilon tnil fin* lit
even hhmble birth; but what an ornamental form did 16,-14 as..
kume when coming from the heir apparent of a vast empire—front
one born to reign over a flatfeet celebrated id arts and arms, by selt
and land, and which held the balance of Europe In her just and
mighty hand ; Westing the course of tyranny and bppreesion; and
calling neighbouring nations, under her protective wing, to enjoy
their rights and just privileges;—ln fine, when such antiabilitiee
proceeded from him who now wears (and long may he continue BO
to do!) the diadem of the freest and most thinking people in the
world! Amongst his well-known accomplishments may he eouhted
his being a scholar, a linguist, a first-rate dancer, a fl•it.nt and de+
gant speaker, and a thorough mUsician, both as a performer on the
•ioloncello, and as being a correct judge of harmony in all its de+
partments, composition, execution, effect, style, and tendency;
and its greatest perfection, vocal or instrumental. The King is nut
an ordinary amateur of the concord of sweet sounds—not one of
yont s bravo! bravo I vastly pretty!' men—who have a smattering
of music, and listen to it from fashion; he fi:els it, it goes to his
soul, the sympathies of which are well known to those who nearly
approach him. There is a last accomplishment, which is, ' though
last not least in out dear love,' namely, his table talent. Here alt
who have ever participated of the feast of friendship and the floe
of soul with the most illustrious and able chairman who can pasta
bly fill a chair, must have felt that they were under the wand of
the enchanter. Since the rich autumn of his ;Majesty's years had
taught the trite but useful lesson (hard and diflcult for yOuth td
learn,) to be merry and wise, the pleasures of the banquet have
been more regulated, and less extensive. Cheerful and witty con.
versation has been in general succeeded by a concert; and, by rea
tiring at a prudent hour to rest, the King is preserving that health
which is dear to every honest man in his dominions, and which we
ardently pea, will lead to a happy, healthy, and eatreme old bile I
but when his Majesty entertains in form and at large, his magnifis
cence, munificence, and taste, beggar all description. '