The Statesman.
London, England, 1824-02-09 00:00:00

sT VrE OF COUN rRY.

TIIE EDITOR OF THE STATESMAN.

cm_-Through what is called the King's Speech, T intent
.cf.r the existing political state of our relations, foreign
domestic; and, to show, that whst is promulged by
Oministration, through this medium, is far from satisfactory,
paid be brief in my remarks; as it is a happy gift in the
:ding power of Monarchic Government, that the least said
the better.
And what does the speech announce ? or, what does it
promise? There is nothing very flattering to our pride ;
lot touch derogating. front our dignity and wonted emi-
wee. For, though in the financial department of the
st,ite there may appear cause for exultation, what compen-
„on is there for this, when in comparison with the fo-
reif.n relitions of our political existe nc e? if, in the former,
there he joy, in the latter there is much to regret.
There was a time when we dared the front of the world's
even in the midst of dancer. Rut now the tre-
muloas aspect of our situation forefends the common ener-
t it. of human nature, though, perhaps, there be danger
greater than ev-r portending. T. what a decradation are
Re to he cast? Piecemeal are we to be despoiled of our dig-
pity sod character, and not a word to be said! Except for
the n.e of our money, there is no one who is willing to
flitier our vanity. America (the United States) profit by
tor we.tkness; and receives an accession to its power
by Lousi arta and the Florida. France takes possession of
Sado; and we agrce.Shall we be the dope of her pretensions
t,) the Spanish C ? Russia lays hold of Finland,
and kindly suffered Sweden to make a similar spoliation
of Norway. Naples and Italy are added to the Anstrian
domination; and Greece receives succour from the cabinte-
ne
of Washington. is there nothing dangerous to the it
rests of England in these various divisions ?
The law of St. Edward pronounced, that the Mioister
of the Government, in the various provinces, should act for
the honor of the Crown and the good of the Kingdom. lint
wherein, in the Speech to the present Parliament, do we
see any such designation from his Majesty's Ministers ?
They seem loth that such a thought should enter their
odor's. The same strong neutrality, the same unconcerned
miectatorslsip of foreign aggression to the prospective
deterioration of our interests, await their action. So let it be.
lie mast pause and wait. ALFRED.

TUE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
TO THE EDITOR OP TIIE STATEIMAN.

- - -
Stn—Not long since I had occasion to visit various
parts ofthe Netherlands. Whilst I sojourned there, I was
astonished at being informed from several respectable in-
dividuals, that premiums had been circulated in that king-
dom by the Board of Agriculture in London, offering
considerable rewards to such persons es should furnish it
a itit the best account of the husbandry of that part of
Europe. In consequence, several respectable agriculturists
exerted themselves to accomplish the desired object, and
transmitted their productions to that body, but they have
never thought proper to determine tither their merit or
demerit. As this Establishment is considered. on the
continent, from being called a Board (Bureau) to be a
branch of Executive Government of the British nation, it
seems strange to the people of the Netherlands to be so
neglected.
They feel the more aggrieved when they knew that a
principal officer of the King's household, the Chief
Yeoman of the Royal Body Guard, at the time the
memoirs were sent in, presided over the affairs of the
Institution.
On my retnrn to London,' found the Board had ceased to
continue its functions. and that all the papers in its
possession have been placed in the bands of Government,
and remain there unattended to. Sorely for the credit of
our national character, this subject ought to be investi-
gated, and the Ministers of the executive authority
cleared (if possible) from any blame that may be connected
st ith such a transaction.
As the Board has become torpid. (for it cannot be anni-
hilated, as it was established by Charter) are all its suitors
end dependants bid adieu, till * fresh warfare shall render
additional burdens on the people necessary? I know it was
thonght, at the time it was first brought into existence, to
be intended to increase the powers of taxation, and I think
it would not he difficult to prove, if it did not directly, it
has been indirectly, a great auxiliary in forwarding the ac-
cumulation of that great load of debt which the vast and
ambiti.ats projects of William Pitt overwhelmed his country
with, and which the lauded interest so severely feel. If you
think this letter worthy of insertion in your patriotic paper,
I shall, at a future opportunity, endeavour; to shew
that what I state is not without a foundation.
1 am, Sir,our bumble and obedient servant,
Put LARATURON.
London, Feb. 4, 1524.

An advertisement appears in the Leeds In elliyeneer. with a
long list of the names of persons (inc:udiim the corporation.)
stating their decided disapprobation of races being established
in the vicinity of Leeds, believing that such a measure
Would be highly injurious to the morals and industry of the
people.
We have seen an ingenious piece of eorkmanship, ma-
to:factored at Sheffield, and sent to a p-r.on of this town
43 a Present (as a proof of the perfection to which the art of
cutlery has reached in that place.) It is a pair of scissors,
contained in the compass of 1e... than one-fourth of an
loch in length, of the best polished steel. The ricit is
hoptihilly mounted with silver, and requires the aid of a
microscope to discern, through which the workmanship
41)Iwars perfect in every part, and no doubt has undergone
every process which a lull sized pair requires. When clos-
ed, the part as far as the bows will go with ease into the
bore of a common tobacco-pipe ; they ate stitched very
formally on a pattern-card, and altogether form a great
eurosity. The above was accompanied by a pair of cot-
ton garters, which bears the following words in capitals,
very distinctly knit thereon : " For Mr. --, Aylesbury;
a present from your sister at Sheffield, and knitted by Ca-
therine Ellis, in ber ninetieth year, and wititoat specie-
clia!'—(Bucks Chron.)
SIR HENRY BATE DUDLEY.—On the Ist Inst. aged 78, died at
Cheltenham, the Rev. Sir Henry Bate Dudley, Bart. Recur of
It 'Hingham, and one of the Prebendaries of the Cathedral of
Llv. As Bate Dudley und as Parson Bate, he had been long
vitt much before the wcwlL, in the character of a public and
political writer. His first engagement with the press, it ap-
pears, was his establishing the Morning Post and Morning
Herold newspapers—the latter in IMO, the former a few years
precious.--He also commenced the Courier de l'Enropc,
printed in French, and the English Chronicle. Of the Morn-
any Herald he was for many years sole prop •ietor. To the
Probationary Odes and the'Rolliad, which at that time drew
great attention, it is said, he contributed largely ; end wrote
entirely the Vortigern and Rowena, a satirical work, pour-
traying, in the diction of Shakspeare, the characters of all the
eminent persons of that day.—This appeared at the time of
Ireland's forgery. In the time of Mr. Garrick he produced the
opera of the Rival Candidates at Drury Lane theatre, and
afterwards the Blackamoor washed White, which, in co se-
quence of party spirit running so high at that period, caused a
contest among the audience, with drawn swords, upon the I
stage itself. He was the author of the operas of the Flitch of
liaems, and The Woodman, which will continue to be favour-
ites as long as the English stage is in existence. The former
was written for the Haymarket theatre, for the purpose of in-
troducing his friend Shield, as a composer. to the public. The
rest of his dramatic works are The Travellers in Switzerland
and At Home, a bagatelle produced about tea 'ears ago.