The Statesman.
London, England, 1822-12-21 00:00:00

rig STATgg'

—.---.
HOUSES OP PARLIAMENT.
•
The day for the Meeting of Parliament," for the des-
patch of divers urgent and important affairs," having
been named to be earlier in February than was a !short
time since expected, the repairs, alteration', and renova-
tions, in both Houses of Parliament, are proceeding' with
increased activity. The:e are now in progress in and
about the !louses of Parliament more extensive altera-
tions and r•pairts than have been reltlealiWrCli fur years
—if on any preceding occasion there have been each con-
siderable renovations aid additions. The house of
Commons is still in a state of dilapidation; scaffolding
in it, seats uncovered, 5c., the completion of the graml
new ventilators in the ceiling, the whitewashings,
being in progress. The C..nonitter-Itooms, the Mem-
bers' smoking room, the side room to the gallery, &c.
are underguitig thorough cleansing and repairs.
In the econuitty ot the new arrangeuients, there has
been a most important alteration—one that wilt consti-
tute a species of " sera " in the history of those partico-
culars connected with the Meetings of the Commons
House of Parliament. The celebrated room in which
the Members' servants only used to assemble—the Joh*
Moody', as well as the produce of Poctotan-square —has
been taken down, and the ground on which it stood forms
part of the site of the new Law Courts now building.
The room was well known to the visitors of the House of
Commons. It nes on the left of the atone steps leading
to tie lobbies. It was in line with the Committee
Itoonis. It was privileged to the use of the It-tribers'
servants only. There was a chair, and above it a large
gilt Crowh ; and that assembly had its roles, "standing
orders," awl' privileges in imitation of the. Parent As-
seedily. Tdere was also a Chairman, and the proceed-
lugs. were conducted with considerable order, though
it was Tteirteittiy enforced with imitated energy and
noise. Wed, that, room—the scene of so many mentor-
able contests and debates, and all to support the dignity
of "the Crown.„—tio longer exiles! And what is still
wore disastrous, it is not yet positively decided by the
Speaker, the Committee ot " Ways and Means," of the
Board of Works, aided by Mr. Suane, Colonel Steven-
son, Mr. Croker, Mr. hey, &c., of that Board, what
room is to be art apart fur the future meetings of the
other " Lower" House. The large room, winch was
heretofore used by the Lord Chancellor for a robing-
room, when the Court of Chancery was at the upper end
of Westminster Hill. and which was his Majesty s retie-
ilig-TOOrd on the occasion of the late Coronation, is now
aireite of for the Ise of such other " Lower" House.
But the thibjeet Isaac decided! However, the decora-
tions of the former toms, all the suns of authority and
importance, the large gilt Crown, "the Chair," the
" Standing Enka and Orders" of the Assembly, have
been removed into this room.
The works connected with the heating, as well as the
ventilali°o of bob Hawn's, are also proceeding with
increased activity, having been on an extensive scale.
The colas gesienr, as well as the repairs of dues between
the two Houses, commenced on Saturday.
Besides the new ROyal entrance. which now assumes
a formidable shape and atipmposing appearance, project-,
ing largely over :New Palace•yard, there is to be a new
entrance for the Peers to the Horse of Lords, -which alw
will be surmounted with a tower, or turrets. Such',
second entrance is now proceeding actively, and has al-
reVy attained a consitletable height. The new stair
case for the King, which will be beautifully and
.pro-
fusely decorated with pretty architectural varieties, is in
a very forward state. To get it completed in time, the
workmen now labour by candle-light., as well as by day-
light. The anted columns iu the interior, the painted
window, the richly varied architectural ornaments, wiTll
trotter this staircase sin object of considerable interest
and curiosity.
All these alterrtions and improvements are nutlet the.
exclusive dirertion of Mr. Soane, independently of the
Bond of Works, and that architect employs his Owl
workmen to finish bitadesigns,

AN

•
•

The Bishop of London f.iHewed, and spice is isandsonse
te►ms of the clergymen Rod of the children. Tbe pi.th-
lie baldness uss closed by a collection from the lanes,
among whom the Lady Mayoress cut a conspicuous ft
gum both for seal and liberality.
At half ;wt. tour 111)&111W/711S party sat does to dinner,
in the City of London Tavern; the Duke of York in
the Chair, with the Wallop of London on his right, and
the Vicar of St. Leonard on his left. A subscription of
iglu 154. was announced ; the espences of the build
ing were stated at about double that sutra; and a sub-
srription paper was handed round, and signed to a con-
siderable amount. The evening was spent with becom-
ing decorum, and at a proper hour the Royal Duke va-
cated the chair, and the company separated.
-------

WO 11.
0
0
. . I

DUI. AIR.
0 Holland •
MNla . - 0
0 Ombra'
Waterford 0
1 O. & Jersey - 0 0 France
0 Lisboa 1 0 Flanders -
0 Gottenbarg • I 0 Brtz.l

0
. . o

ST. THOMAS'S Dn.—Holiday at the Pahtie Offices

LONDON:
SATURDAY STUMM, DECSMISK 21, 1522.
STOCK EKCRANGII, HALFPAIT TIVELTS O'CLOCK.--
Consols opened this morning at 79i to so, with a heavy
maket. This was owing to the Cartes having decreed
a new loan of 40 millions of reels, and to an express
from Paris in the earlier part of the morning bringing
the French Stock at 50,30. About eleven o'clock, two
other expresses arrived from Paris. One of them who
wanted to get to town before the other, fell down with
his horse at the Bricklayer's Arms, hot soon got op
suain and rode on, with the horse's leg much injured.
The moment it was knows on 'Change that the two ye
presses bad arrived, a great panic !took place, and wad
rious reports were in circulation. One of the rumours
was that the King of France had been dangerously ill ;
ono: her that the declaration of war against Spain wuin
the press. Letters aiein town from Paris of Thursday
evening, which do not meution a word on the subject of
a declaration of war.
Consols at present are 701;, with aheavy market.
FOREIGN 31AREST.—A great consternation prevailed
in this market, the moment it was known that two ex•
presses had arrived from Paris. New Spanish Bonds,
which were, at the opening, 54i, fell to 52a. It is
thought that they had heard at Paris of the Cones bay
ing decreed a new Loan, and that it was which
bad caused the French Fonds to lower. It is said,
that the last two expresses have brought the French
Funds 9S 5 cents. At present, we caaut give any tor.
rest account of the different prices of all the Foreign
Fttods, owing to the various markets being
_ip great
ltgitatioa. New Spanish is op again to kn.

Paris papers to the 19th inst. have boo rocieved, bat
they are onesually barren both of news and speculations.
The... Thermals des Debate has taken no Ooti ce of the aril-
ab we copied yesterday from the Sterile; and the Rtoile
'kaiag stated to be seder prosecution for a libel, takes
from a Spanish paper, is beginning to- lose its credit, as
a journal possessing any Nlinisterial authority. There
is nothing to throw light es the quessiOn between France
'abet Spain ; but the despatches from Verona, which wets
represented as contalaiog the French Ultimatum, sane.
tlnned by the signatures of the Continental Powers, and
which excited so much alarm in the City on Thursday
are now supposed to relate to the new measures which it
'say be nece.sary to adopt in consequence of the late
even!, at Constantino; le. The revolution that has taken
place in the ;councils of the Porte has re-opened the
prospect of an Eastern war, and Russia is considered as
preparing for action. Though, however, a suspension
has taken place of the warlike tone of the Paris journals,
there appears to be no abatement of activity on the
French Frontier. This is evident from the following
article (rum Bayonne, dated the 12th of December:—
" Bayonne is in a state of hustle, and every thing indi-
cates war. The park of artillery is prepared to move at
a m knees notice ; it is composed of 300 tumbrils full of
ammunition, and thirty-six field pieces. °there! Tirlet.
Inspector-General of Artillery, has just arrived here.—
The fortifications of our town are actively carried on,
notwi•listanding the bad weather."
FRENCH FUNDS ON WIDNZSDAT.-..Fille per Coots.,
opened at 88, Sit. ; closed at 88.; Bank Shares. 1.625.
Neapolitan Stork, 77.—Exchange .on Loodoo, one
month 25. 4a.: three months, 25. 30.—Spanish Bonds
of 1821, 5:4.

BOURBON WAR.
We continue to be of opinio•, that the French will
invade Spain, notwithstanding the appearances which
are said to exist to the contrary:4l4 Aferaieg Chia
aide has given the secret histolk. of the Congress of
Verona ; • romance, if you please!—However, tits uid
that discontents exist is France, and a disposition to
recei►e the Spanish Revolutionists with open arms!—
We wish we could believe this! This would be still
better than an invasion of Spain. Either would suit us
very well. Miller would make Gatton and Old Scram
quake. It would give them a shove as they are Orig.
Another revolution in France would be best, to be sure;
but we must confess, that we almost despair of that, at
present: the taxes are so light, and the people so well
off ; and, therefore, we " fondly hope" (as the Courier
says) loran invasion of Spain ; and, if a complete coo.
quest of it be ore yto shake (Autism, we are fur the
complete conquest.—We do not know enough of that
",,,ankiad", about whose liberties some of our cunt. m
parades feel so much ertheern. We know a good deal
about oar sixty millions of Taxes, about oar Military
Academies, our Standing Army in time of Peace, our
Civil Us', our Barracks, and oar Six Acts ; and it is to
it hat will affect these that we look, and nut to what nill
affect mankind.—la the meanwhile, the Freoela most
hare had a pretty good jobbing in our funds ! Pert AM
they are now singing the sung of peace in order to *di
out. When they base dons that, they may blow the
blast of war again ; and then bay is ; and then sing
peace again ; and then sell out. We have taught them
and all the world all the rogueelea of stork jobbing,—