Star.
London, England, 1829-12-26 00:00:00

LON DON.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26.
CLOS' HOLINT•-ST. Swart.

We think it right to inform our readers, that on the
first of January, the STAR will add to its title that of the
SOUTH AMERICAN REGISTER ; and we flatter our-
selves, that they will have already perceived that we may
lay claim to this appellation, from the special and valuable
sources of information of which we are in possession.

The second letter on Columbia will be found in our
second page : it contains some valuable historical facts,
and like the first, breathes sentiments highly honourable
to our distinguished Correspondent.

Among the City reports of this morning, it was said
that a vessel from North America, had brought intel-
ligence of her Majesty Doww* MARIA having arrived
safely at Rio. The date of this happy event is not
stated.

It gives us great satisfaction, to find the general

strictures of our contemporaries upon the late libel pro-
ceedings assuming hourly a tone of graver and intenser
reprehension. Even those Journals, whose blind de-

votedness to the Noble Duke has done so much to con-
solidate his unconstitutional power, alarmed at the use to
which he now so palpably aims to turn it, are showing
signs of recalcitration. They look to the gathering
storm as we do, and are instinctively buckling on their
defences. Nor are they one moment beforehand with the
necessity, seeing that the first blow has been already
struck, and an earnest in the verdicts which oppression
has obtained is given of other verdicts which it will soon
demand. Let it not be supposed that a fit of temporary
irritation has brought the Duke of WELLINGTON before
the tribunals, to inflict on a mere personal vituperator
condign correction. Nothing of the kind. In his
attack upon the Morning Journal, he has declared war
openly against the Press—a war to exterminate opinion
—since, if be destroy it not, opinion will exterminate
his power. It is of the first importance to the No-
ble Duke, to have the Press under his immediate
subjection and controul. He knows well-. that only
by its acquiescence, arbitrary governments can maintain
their sway. The Morning Chronicle has well said to-
day, that Sir JAMES SC A R LETT IS admirably fitted for his
work ; his mind is indeed illiberal : nature designed him
to have been born in the feudal ages. There is an arro-
gance about the West Indian character which we too
seldom find belied by naturalisation here, and Sir
JAMES does not certainly belie it. We feel it quite
unnecessary to be delicate on the score of origin with the
Right Honourable and Learned Gentleman, or to apolo-
gise for so tempting a personality as this. when we re-
collect
the low and coarse vulgarity with which the
ATTORNEY-GENERAL derided the origin of one of
the defendants, whose origin is at least as honour-
able and as fair as his. Nay, Caledon may surely yet
carry it over Jamaica—the highlander, over the driver of
negroes. But these are only petty details ; light pencil-
touches in the great historical grouping which has been
just exhibited at the Old Bailey, and which holds up a
moral warning to public writers, how they prostitute
their talents to do the work of imperious power.
These cursory remarks we hold to be not inconsistent
with our announcement yesterday, that we should forbear
yet a few days from the argumentative discussion of the
trials. Among the many letters which we have received
on this exciting occasion, it is impossible to take
leave of the subject even desultorily as we
have touched it—without quoting from a corre-
spondent, equally distinguished for his patriotic aid
social virtues, the following manly and energetic senti-
ments which cannot be too widely disseminated, at a pe-
riod when in such sentiments only the nationalsedemp-
tion can be hoped for :
" I can think of nothing but the daily increasing—
alarming signs of the times—that so many men should
have been found willing to become such subservient
tools to despotism and corruption, makes me sigh for
my country, and makes me apprehensive we sre going
down as a nation, au grand galop. If so, all attempts
at regeneration are thrown away, and will Prove mere
waste of time and breath. z „

" If there be not a considerable change, these things
must end in the ruin of us all. I fear we shall not long
retain the form even of a constitution. " In the shipwreck
of the State, Villa float and are preserved ; whilst every
thing solid and valuable sinks to the bottom, and is lost
for ever I" Gdn only knows how soon this may be our
condition—l tremble."

We -have*Gerinin Papers this morning ; and Dutch
Papers to the 23d instant. Their contents are very un-
important. Ws extract the following passages :7 -

BERLIN. Dn. 14:

What we bun et the negotiations respecting tbg future fate of
Greece is on the whole pretty satWactocy. Not only for the rat
of Europe. but for the Greeks. tbeinselves, a monarchial Oland-
tad= of their new &ate will be the only advisable one, and the
WI favourable to their prosperity; no valid obiecticeson tbe part
of the Cabinets can be imagined.
The retirement of Count Capo d'lstrias from the post of Presi-
dent would indeed &Mach to be regretted; but why should not
that eminent statesman continuo to serve the country in some other
capacity ? The extraordinary mission ef Count Cops Muter'.
darks, wbicla has kept blot so keg in Paris and Istadarhappaere
to have been perfectly successful. •
. Vianna..Dae. 14. Iletallignes, 102 154; 41pee aook am*
5.4; Sank Emma, Itts.—.4llgenekte Siam. ' • •
. • TaII,•BAKIE, U. • ' • •
The Seeetelebeatbeeet Abe Stmee.Geeeerkfteeleg apiesee4et,
obi rejected YIN *be Abe PAM eseindklee.Mr the ell

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