The Statesman.
London, England, 1820-08-02 00:00:00

THE STA'

(for Mr. Denesap, lib to be sbeerve4, Is steepled aka
Mr. Broegbam, In the hsehrees of the AsslasiNiss
should be almost tempted to eaptlfe whether ease
schisms or change has not taken place on the part el
her Majesty's legal defenders. A striking alteration
has been visible of late in the toot of sentiment, as
well as stile of her Majesty's answers to the addresses
she receives, and in the tone, at least, we think an al.
teration for the better. By the accession which her
Majesty's cause has obtained in the talents of Dr•
I.4IIIIINGTON, Mr. WILDS, and Mr. HiNIT, our con-
ildence in its management has been greatly encreased
yet we should deeply deplore any incident whatever
that could prevent the undivided and entire support
of Mr. DENII•N and of Mr. BROCUII

Our readers cannot have failed to observe the various
movements made of late in the stations of our military
force, and the extraordinary pains that have been taken
to preserve the different corps in proper order. Some
part of these evolutions may be doubtless customary at
this season of the year, for the purpose of preparing the
troops for their anneal reviews ; and a grand.: sahib •
tion of this kind than bar been wield of late, is proposed,
it appears, to take place near London, the latter end of
this week. Bat other military displays, and of a more
extraordinary character, are reported to be meditated ;
and the metropolis is expected at tl►e awful crisis that is
approaching, to be surrounded with a cordon of trodps.
Already the papers of the lay have announced their
march upon the southern side, and we have since
beard of similar movements ou the north. Who that
has a warm regard for the character and welfate of his
assatry, but must feel himself humiliated at these
arrangements? Admitting that these steps are prudent,
in the way of precaution, that no unconstitutional influ-
ence is designed by this display of force, and that the'i
minds of those who are to assemble for deliberation
on the solemn occasion at hand, are incapable of being
induced by these or other means to go beyond the limit
of a scrupulous conscience in the judgment they pro•
:pounce ; still the acknowledgment of tl►e necessity
such precautions must be to the breast of a genuine Kla
glishman painful and mortifying. Whence the cause of
this necessity? What are the evils, and who are the per-
sons against whom it is requisite to gnarl ? These are
questions that would lead to considerations of the deep-
est tnoment, and which it may be proper on an early
occasion to attend to and purs►►e.

The labouring poor in this " free. and happy"
country, as it is still termed by placemen and sins.-
cnrists, have not bad for souse time a sufficieut supply
of the commonest necessaries. The wan and care-
worn countenances that are to be seen in such Incr
tlible numbers, in Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield,

mingharn, and other large towns, prove the extent
Iheiniaerr Thstitgb dairy foal, la a llMUlaerldakarrk
in any other country, they taste no merit, or other
strengthening food fur days and weeks together.
The cup of strong beer, with which the poor
used to cheer his hard toil, is now a rare treat;

which be ran only indulge in at the expense of a more
pressing necessary. But their wretched hovels are
the climax of human misery ; and the Trailer will have
at once an idea of their sufferings, when he is informed
that the average prier of agricultural labour is not
inure th..n nine shillings a week throughout the year.
'1 he average of manufacturing labour is still lower ;
and we may judge of the kind of existence which is
maintained upon such scanty means of subsisteoce.—
To the honour of the national character, private brae
-
1 volence has come as much as possible to the relief of
the sufferers. But the source, deep as it is, begins to
slow signs of exhaustion ; and the demands are so far
1 beyond the supply, that charity is no longer able to
'ape with human wretchedness.
Even the relief furnirhed by means of their poor-
rates, are become rather nominal than real. Notwith-
standing their vast amount, and almost overwhelming
promise, they are become almost useless, except fur
the imposes of parish jobbing. Perhaps eighteen-
pain weekly per head to the really distressed, is
memo of aid derived from this immense tend. n
away parts of the kingdom, ten, fifteen, and eight n
shillings in the pound have been paid. They art so
oppressive, that in some place they are levied monthly
and in others even weekly. Five and thirty levies
were raised last year in the town of Birmingham, beelike
large private subscriptions, to supply the poor with
soup and fuel. Yet the distress exceeded all belief :,
la the potteries in Staffordshire, it was still greats,;
and the poor people were literally starving towordai
..i the beginning of the year. But in the neighbourhamb,
Dudley. 'minicabs:ly amour* the nail-make* ft ,
arrived at its climax; and we have learned, from geed
authority, that they did not earn weekly, about awe or
three months ago, more than six shillings; and, an
attempt was made at the time to reduce their wages.—.
Yet, the first Session of a new Parliament has been
frittered away, without devising relief, or even load-
titling an inquiry. This is wily one of the mamma-
see of the proceedings against her 111ssasest sad the 1
rest are still shut up in the teeming womb of tinte.-... 1
When the deliverance shall take place, it will slim/ tfte
mischievous folly of agitating so exasperating a low
tiro, at a period, when foreign causes a alarm Ise
-- - - mesacing