The Statesman.
London, England, 1824-02-14 00:00:00

SATURDAY EVEVINO, FEBRUARY 14, 1824.

STOCK EXCUANGE, 12 o'cLocc—Consols opened this
morning at 91k, and afterwards rose to f, since which they
have declined to 9111 for account, with very little business

doing.
Within this half hour, there has been more business do-
ing, and Consols are now 9l for the account, and for mo-
ney 911.1.
Fonsien FUNDS.—Spanish Bonds opened at SIM at
which price they remain steady with little doing. All
South American Securities maintain their prices.

New Spanish, 174 to 4—Old, 24 4 Colonsl ian, 72 to
—Austrian,7l4—Chill, 804 to 4—Russian, 924—New Prns.
situ), 93—01 d, 9l—Neapolitan, 833—French Scrip, 97,--
Mexican Loan, 6 Poyais, 344 —Mullett's Mexican Nlines
4 prem.
Up to this hour we do not hear of any express having ar-
rived from Paris. This is probably owing to the rough
weather of yesterday eveninr.

Some bodies having been stolen from the church yard of e
remote parish in Northumberland, the owner of the estate, to
prevent such depredations in future, has directed the graves to
be made rather shorter than the coffin, and to be excavated at
the bottom, so as to admit the head under the solid ground. it is
then impossible to raise it by the feet, and the ground must hecut
away above the head, a work of more time than could be always
be commanded for the operation. lu addition, a mixture of
percussion powder and gunpowder, placed on a wire in the
inside of the coffin, to etplode on its being opened. had been
resorted to. This will retain its explosive power for a month,
in which time the corpse will he generally unfit for dissection.

A commercial connection with the new and independent
States of South America, offers so many advantages to this
country, that we are much pleased to find, that Sir James
Mackintosh gave notice last night in the House of Com-

mons of his intention, early in March, of introducing a
motion on the subsisting relations between this Country
and those States. There is so much to be gained by a
speedy and friendly alliance with South America, and so
little by a perseverance in our system of cold neutrality,
that a tardy acknowledgment of her independence would
seem to be the result of infatuation in oar Councils. What
would be thought of the man, who after having spent his
fortune, and reduced himself to the brink of ruin, by
itl-
judged and unsuccessful speculations, in which he bad been
made the dupe of knavery, should in such circumstances,
refuse to accept the friendship of a man of honour, who
possesses at once the power and the will, to indemnify him
for losses, and raise him to a condition of rank and wealth,
surpassing the brightest day of his prosperity ? But sup-
posing this infatuated man to urge as a reason for conduct
inexplicable—that he had not declined such an overture of
generous friendship, for lie had held himself unfettered
by any prior engagement from forming such connection,
when he should think the proper time bad arrived—
should we not think that such a man, from the bewitching
influence of old habits, Lad still a hankering after

the society of his former worthless companions,
who had led the way in his road to ruin ? Such,
and no other, appears to us to have been the conduct of the
English Government, respecting their old attachments to
the members of the unholy Alliance, who have lung club-
ed together to prop up what is now a falling cause ; and
which fond and lingering attachments they cannot easily
overcome, so as to wake way for more bonourable and ad-
vantageous connections. This subject embraces such a
variety of interests, so important to England, to America
and to mankind, that we say again, we are happy to find it
is to be brought forward by such a man as Sir James
Mackintosh, who is so eminently qualified to du it
ample justice.

The Irish, who are indeed remarkable for making their
own will. " a law unto themselves," have among many
other singularities of character, long practised a peculiar
and effectual mode of silencing party and political op
ponents. The Irish papers have recently teemed with ac-
counts of an intended duel, between Mr. O'Grady and Mr
Spring Rice, M. P. Had this originated in a private
quarrel, it would have been unworthy of any other no •
Lice, than an expression of pity, that Mr. Rice should be
weak enough to put his life against another, so unworthy
of the hazard. But it seems Mr. Rice, had in bis place in
Parliament, brought some serious charges against Chief
Baron O'Grady, for judicial misconduct, which produced
a kind of defence, by no means sstisfaetory to the pub-
lic. Mr. O'Grady, not relishing, it would appear, the
liberty Mr. Rice had taken with his fa►her, the Chief
Baron, and not having leisure for logical dissension or
lengthened contraversy. adopted the Irish pithy and more
compendious mode of settling the dispute by pistols, and
accordingly sent Mr. Rice a challenge. if this old Irish
practice is to go on unchecked, it will be unnecessary in
future, when candidates fur a Seat in Parliament offer
themselves to the Electors, to boast of honeity and inde-
pendence; it will suit their purpose better, to produce un-
questionable testimonials of their being a good shot, and
to make the greatest number of duels fought the only
test of supreme excellence. In sober reason, we hope some
Member will notice this affair in the House.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER COI/RT.-10 the case of the King
v. William Clemeut,appellant, the argument was yesterday
postponed. After much discussion, Monday, April 3, was
fixed upon, conditionally, being four days before term.