The Statesman.
London, England, 1809-12-25 00:00:00

Tug French Prisoners in the various Depots,
have lately conducted themselves very outrageous-
ly. That " the Optiae" should endeavour to
regain his liberty, can excite neither surprize nor
indignation. But the treatment of Prisoners of
War Ist this country ii mutely •ot such as to
warrant the very insulting behaviour of the
French Prisoners to those who, by duty, are com-
pelled to guard them, of which we have recently
heard very numerous instances.
A eentinel fired at a French -prisoner,* few
days sgo, as he was endeavouring to scale the pa-
lisodoes at Yaxley Barracks ; the ball lodging in
his buck occasioned his death. It appeared, from
the evidence of General WILLIAMS, on the Coro.
ner's Inquest, that the soldiers on guard hate in-
variably displayed the most patient forbearance
and moderation to the incessant insults of the pri-
soners, whose conduct had lately been particularly
outrageous and tumultuous.
Several mood's ago, we took occasion to offer
some remarks on the Fruelly and impolicy of pre.
hihiting the sale of articles manufactured by the
French prisoners. , That measure, which originat-
ed in the mean and contemptible jealousy of a few
manufacturers of trifles made from straw, has,
we are assured, greatly contributed to excite
the unfortunate captives to that outrageous
conduct, which is so greatly to be lamented.—
The inhumanity of the prohibition is obvious...
and not less so, to us, is the inspolicy—fur " idle-
, loess is the root of all evil"---and nothing could
so certainly contribute to the quiet and orderly de-
meaneur of the multitude whom the fortune of
war has thrown into our hands as employment.
The importance of this principle is no where more
clearly illustrated than in our ships of war, where
it is a received axiom, that the men must be doing
something—and if they are permitted to be idle
they will hedging mischief. The principle is clear,
and G.svcrnmcnt might have been expected, so far
from prohibiting, decidedly to have encouraged
the industry of these unfortunate victims of War.
The importance of the general result would, in
such case, have been more consistent with general
1
policy, than the private interests of the individuals
, at whose instigation the prohibition was imposed.

A coition, report is in circulation this morn.
ing—that Mr. MAYNX, the Austrian Messenger,
who has just sailed fur France, is the bearer of
the following Terms of Peace :—The restoration
of Hanover, and the retention of ,Malta—for
which Martinique, and the other possessions taken
from France are to be conceded. Spain left to
her fate! Such is the estieerdisary report in the
higher circles its the lest.

The following lamentable cotnmunication,which
we have received this morning, cannot fail of ex-
citing the sympathy of ail loyal and patriotic
citizens :

On Saturday last expired, at 'Faulty Hall,
Alders:ate, in the 16th year of his administra-
tion, Thomas liurntcrust, Esq. more comm,,nly
known by the title of " Deputy Dough." 11
disorder, which was from the first eutu,isiered
dangerous, was finally rendered fatal by the
too sanguine conduct of his dear friends Doctors
Turncoat and Charter-house Wall. By the

death of this worthy, independent,: and ;Jesus.
terested Deputy, the important Office of Mas.
ter of the Rolls for the District iti which he
lived, is become vacant ; his loss will be severe.
iy felt by his disconsolate Admirers and Supporters,
and the funeral is expected to be very on.
merously attended. The coffiu will be covered
with black reuter-proof cloth, from the mane.
factory of Mr. JACKS, his worthy fellow.la.
bower in the civic vineyard. An appropriate
inscription on the plate will Is• furnished by
the brilliant pen of that inflesibk Patriot, Mr.
MAwNAN ; and the independent Mr.. SAMUEL
Dixox is reported as the Chief Mourner. Mr.
Alderman CußT►s, it is feared, cannot attend, as
the appointed time of a' haunch of extraordinary
expectations is said to expire on that day.
The Duchy of Warsaw, in consequence of the
addition made to it by the, treaty between France
and Austria, now contains 2478 square miles of ter.
ritory, and a population of 3,7244262 souls.
Earl CAMDEN was appointed, a few day since,
Master of the Corporation of the Triwlty House,
in the place of the late Duko of PODTLA ND.
14nril MVII.GRA YE was also, elected one of the
Brethren, in lieu of Earl CAMDEN.

'Elie Luntlnn Pastry Cooks have considered the
Expedition to Walchorea peculiarly applicable to
cakes, and many of the seasonable dainties, in.
tended forTwelftli Night, arc now displayed, with
the names of our gallant Commanders employed on
that service.

Mr. W. BARNES, ant, Mr. W. CA,P, jllll. GM?.
tlemen, arc chosen Aldermen of the •Curporietidtt,
of ‘l.inchester.
Ox FOR D.—• Nlontlay, the lesitilat of Michaelinei
Term, the itcr. Giloaut W4i.s.last B. 1).
and Master of Pembroke Cittlige, wits admiett(l
I). D.—The following (;entlenten, on the same
day, were admitted to degreci :
Bachelor in Divinity--Rev. George Jenkins, of Jew,.
Master= of Art.—kev. William Rogiihnis Harrison., of
mervio, Grand Compounder; Bev. Er..aci. Dyson, of Her-
ton; Rrv. Rivliani Smith, of St. Allem pall; 11r. Robert
William IlaN, of Christ Church; Rev. Ilinanas Lloyd, of
Jesus: Rev. Edward Coetnyne Ends, of St. Soho's; Mr.
Charles Lewis Mer) ON of Hi. John's.
Bachelor of Arts—Mr. William Harwell Coles, of llei--
ford.

The whole number of degrees in the Term as
follows :--
Dectorsitt Dirinit), two ; Doctor is Lilt, one; Bachelors
in Divinity, two ; &echelon is Law, ttto; Mastery of Art.,
shiny-ones Bacnelon of Artt, thirt)-threy.