The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-08-14 00:00:00

THE ST ATESNIAN.

particular periods, if it was shewn town?—V.rydistinctly,
because we know exactly when the Italian hank came in:
the hand writing in the time of Elizabeth is wretched; we.
can hardly make it out.
Yost would know the handwriting of a hundred years
ago P—Yes ; there is a peculiar set appearance about the
Vand writj_n_g in Queen Anne's time.
f jrn'"*Trre to t*l6illfelitlndwriting at 'the rlistineerhf
I:At years hack, it would he very distinct from that written
now?.-There ir's kind of—:pariodical variation. Sow
voiles of writing continued during a mach louger period
than .othets...bat still we can form an opinion within 50
ye:tea: Item is one thing worthy of notice, that it fre-
quently happened that in particular situations, or amongst
particular classes of people, particular band writings were
p,rperoated ; for instance, schoolmasters having copies
before them, would continue a mode which had been adopt-
rft before their time; thus we see the law hand perpetuated,
and so on.
• The printing of this most ancient existing MS. of the
Bible (observes the last Edinburgh Review), which is,now
proceeding, has already cost
.7,031. 2s. 6ci.
•

FRENCH PAPERS.
The following bulletin, containing the latest intelligence
from the army in Catalonia, waspablished in Paris on Monday.
last:—
" VILLA VRAIICA, AUG. 9.
" Monseigneur—General Curial writes me, that on the 30th
of Joly, at four o'clock in the morning, the enemy presented
himself on the extreme left of the line of investment of Bar-
celona, with b.OOO men, six pieces of cannon, and SO horses.—
These forces were directed on St. Marti. Their right was sup-
ported by, six gen•buits. A brick fusillade took place from the
sea-shore to the village of Clot.
" The 6th Light Regiment, seconded by the 33d Chesseurs,
and two pieces of light artillery, attacked the enemy with the
accustomed bravery. Ile was (breed to make a retrograde
movement on several points.
" Two pieces of artillery, under the orders of Lieutenant.
Carnet. 'deuced by the road of the shore within half-gob'
shot, and fired with constant success, on the enemy's artillery
and cavalry. and on the gun-boats. The firing was very brisk
at Clot. General Curial tells use that he led a battalion of the
191 h, which he caused to he preceded by his ehosen companies.
The enemy being thus taken in flank, was put to the rout on
this point. Our soldiers pursued him to the very walls of the
citadel. The battle lasted 1 hours; the enemy, re-
pulsed with the greatest di, order, had I% or Milled, end a
hundred wounded. Our loss was four killed, and twelve
wounded.
According to nil accounts, Mina, whose health is still bad.
is yet at Barcelona. The investment of that fortress by land
is complete. Milans and Llobera, who were moving rapidly
by Mont Slane towards Santa Colonna and the Col de Santa
Christens, appear to have directed their march towards Tarra-
gona, on being informed of ours on Ygualada and
• Franca. It is affirmed that a great desertion has' taken place

among the militia."
The Paris papers of onday contain along bulletin from
Guilleminot, dated Head-quarters, Manzanares, the 6th
instant, consisting of an official narrative of the several
movements of Molitor's division, from the capture of the
small post of Lorca, down to the end of last month. Mo-
litor, it appriarz, bad been compelled to weaken his corps,
from the prodigious line of ioonty along which be has ad-
vanced, and the number of Spanisb,garrisons Which he has
left behind him. The strength of oenne of these garrisons
may be judged of, from the fact, that' a foraging parry, seat
out from Cartliagera on the
,19th, consisted of 1.300 men 11
and brood employment for &strong detachment of theeorpsl
of General Vincent, who had been left by Molitrir at Murcia,
to watch with upwards o: 4,000 Wien the two fortresses of
Carthagena and Micant. On the 24th Molitor seems for
the first time to have obtained accurate intelligence as to Ike
positions of the Spanish' rmy. Zaps with aseparate corps.
was at Grenada. Ballasteros and 8;1 anise, with the male,
body had advanced in secrecy from 'Grenada and Jaen to
Gitadalhaertona—a position to the north of the great
road leading from Guadic to Grenada, and !linking on its
right the march of the French corps d'arusee. Molitor dis-
covered this design, and moved on to attack the Spaniards.
A cavalry action took place in front of Gualdalhortona oa
t le 25th, when, as usual, the advantage is claimed for the
r'rench, and with the usual addition, that while the enemy's
loss consisted of hundreds, their own was limited to some
half dozen men. After this action, Molitor, in want of
previsions. detached fire battalions and some cavalry against
Grenada, from which place Zavas, on their approach, re-,
tired. The French force Under-Molitor was, in consequence i
of its successive detachment, reduced, says Guilleminot, to '
14 battalions, or perhaps 6,000 men.
Ballasteros on the 27th took the strong, position of Cam-
pillo de Arena—all the heights of which, he occupied Wilk
his infantry on the 29th, when Molitor attacked him with,
the three divisions of Loverdo, Pelleport, and Domon. The
force of Ballasteros consisted, according to this account, of
no less than 12,000 men, and among them m env old soldiers;
and with all this, he lost the battle against 6000 French.
" This battle, says the bulletin," continued until night,'
which alone put anend to the pursuit ; and the enemy, who
only escaped total destruction by favour of the mountains
which screened them from the action of our cavalry, re-
treated in disorder beyond Cambil, after haying left in the
rocks 400 or 500 killed or wounded, and having lost 300
prisoners, among whom are 30 officers. On our side, we
bad 14 killed, including two officers, and 40 'wounded.
" The defeat of the 28th inst. produced such discourage-
ment in the enemy's army, that 1,300 men deserted from it
in the night of the 29th. General Z-iya. has been separat
ed from Ballasteros, who has gone into the mountains an,
occupied Quesada, Pazo, Mewl. 'and Cazola. He has he.
fore him General Foissac Latour, who has marched with all
his troops to Baeza and Villa Carito ; and as it is possible
that be would endeavour to return into the kingdom of
Murcia, General ',overdo with his division has proceeded
to Goodie, to observe his movements.
" Previous to the action of the 29th, Gee. Ballasteros
had sent persons to parley, but his propositions were not
accepted. Every thing leads to a belief that at this moment
he has sent again to treat relative to his submission to his
(catholic Majesty.
" Head quarters at Manzgoares, Aug. 6,1823.
.` By command of his Royal Highness.
" Major-Gen. Count (WILLEM INGT."
A bulletin from the MajorMeneral is expected to-
morrow, which, it is hoped, will contain the snbmiasion of
Gen. Ballasteros, which • has beet' announced in the tele-
graphic despatch.
It is rumoured that Citified Rodrigo offers to cap'qulate.
Various small bands whit!' have fed from our armievare
giving themselves up in all parts—a fact which announces
the complete dissolution of the forces of the Cortes.
The following article ((says the Cowsljrationnel), extracted
from the Restaneador (die paper of lb, violent ttoyalist party
at Madrid) of the ild of August, suppotts the rumours in cir-
culation for some days of negocialtoes at Cadiz, and as to
the respective positions of the Prench Government and the Ma-
drid Regency :
We bale learned, not withMit sstonishment, that on the
29th of July the French General commanding in the city of
Bergos requested the Spanish authorities to set at liberty all
Individuals detained for their political opinions. The authori-
ties replied that they would not comply with this request, con-
sidering that among these prisoners were persons of the highest
rank, who could not be enlarged without an express order from
the Regency of Madrid.—ln spite of this observation,
the French General, on his own authority, released these

P874;11; doubt not, that In ell this there bas been some leis-
take, and we flatter oorselvn that such a circumstance will
Dot be repeated, thanks to the harmony that ridges between
the two nations, the protected and the protectress, and thanks
especially to the solemn promises Jf the latter?' This harmony
Is very equivocal.
Vensai FUNDII.—PAnts. Anoure 11.—Five per Cents.
*paged at gef. 10e. ; hlgest,9lo'. 26e. • dosed at Oar. 116 e
Bask Stock, 1306.—Nespolitaa 6 per bents 77.—Euchange on
Lomita, wawa* SU. ?be. ; arse isoatts, W. bk.

• • •
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0-4•4l4.4avier 44.4-1
o..•.TSsb6n I:

i 'DUE.
,;(I....Hallatid 0

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5 ...Flanders .......0
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PRICETIF EITOCKVTEI3 DAY -AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Bank Stock
3•per CI. Re 4 83 84 S Ohio Bqnds 5l 58 pm.
3p. Ct. Ming. PIM Ez.13111.2d:/
~3i per Cent ' - ' 9341 -.10081. t —.1"1. pm.
4 per Cents 40044 '-.---5001... --30 29 pm.
New Fours... until .6........4.—5ma114.-31 33s pm.
Long Ann.
Imp. 3 per Ct .q.. 84 Con. for Acet— 82101
-rt,,m

Mt; ktitteoman.

TilliltSDAY-• BYIIBI7IO. AUUIiST 14, .11123.

~,,,~.

•Ss Escoonds;,. 1Z teet.ocs....lfeeterday: afternoon
the City was throwe iota mot confusion, by the know:el
that a certain Reeding •PUper was to contain _news of the
widest importance; and those Who Were confided with the
reaL-Sgerst immedistelx run to the Stock ExChange and
sold out largely, which. caused Consols to fall. 1 4 per cent.
The panic was genera/ ; but• the moment the Mountain
brought forth'the .Youse; Consols rose to 84 and left off
,at 82}i•
CUnsols opened this morning at 821, Odd got ttp to
tillers; and, at present, are 821 Z, with a brisk market.
, The Express from Paris, this morning, brings the Reines
.93-15—Spanish rose at Paris 3 percent. 39.1-..—. French Scrip
'at Paris. 3—Spanish Bonds opened here at 31, got up to .
354, last price. &in—Colombian 834.—Ittui-'
sian 8544... • .

• •
We have tista morning /*calved by exptese,Tivit"Payers
of Tuesday, and extract the following frost tby, ;toile, of
that jay:—

GRAND HEAD QUARTERS. . Off .vr,
(Br AN EXTRAORDINARY 'CONVEYANCE.)
According to the Convention concluded on the 4th of
this month between General Molitor and Ballasteros, the
General and the troops under bis command acknowledges
the authority of the Regehcy. General Ballasteros orders
the Generate and Governors of the strong places within the
extent of his command, to obey •the Regency. Hostili-
ties having ceased on each side, the army ofßetimes to
thenumber of 7000 men, have entered the cantonments as-
signed to them.
Cattutdna, August G.—The desertion of Gemini Dallas-
teros, who has submitted to the Royal authority, bas depriv-
ed the ttctious of their last hopes. This important event is
.the result of the couabina.ions of his Royal Highness the
Duke d'Angonleme, seconded by the manoeuvring of Ge-
neral Molitor, and the valour of his troops. The Prince
arrived at Carolina in the Sierra Morena, where be. !as
immediately joined by Count ha Rochefotteanit, his Ailda!
Camp, bringing him the news front Grenada of the capitu-
lation of Ballasteros. General Sallasteros, in Lis capitula-
tion, demanded to preserve his rank, and made the same
demand for all the military under his command.
SAINT MARTI, August 6.—BbocKanz ov SARCRI.ONA.
Twelve hundred infantry, 300 cavalry, and two pieces of
cannon, were sufficient to repulse the sortie on the 30th.
Milan, and Holuran are in a dangerous situation.
Manso has submitted with about two or three thousand
men, and is going to give up Tarragona. This news,
which I believe to be true, still wants confirmation.
Wrltave received by an extraordinary conveyance, Ma-
drid Gazettes of the 7th. GOUT becomes more and more
surrounded. Discontent begins to manifest itself not only
amongst the inhabitants, but also amongst the troops.
We learn a new trait of revolutionary ferocity. A di-
rector of the post has been arrested and shot, for having
expressed the opinion of a Royalist.
ODESSA,JuLT22.—By an extraordin?ry conveyance. On
the 13th of the month, a fire broke oat in the neighbour-
hood of. Constantinople, which reached to the Arsenal.
Two thousand six hundred houses were consumed. Soon
after, the fire caught the Arsenal, and the Turks had the
- mortification to see consumed a Ship of the Line of 74 guns.
t. 2 Corvettes, 5 Brigs, and 110 Vessels of all sizes.
(4 sad&

At the Stock Exchange yerierday afternoon, a len
panic took place in consequence of some very heavy falls
which were effected, fur account of speculators who
reside in the West end of the town. Consols which bad
opened at a declined to 84. Fancy was fully employed
to find out a cause for an effect so unexpected and extraor-
dinary, and various rumours were in circulation which had
no foundation. Among other reports was a story that
some " moat important news," unfavourable to the repose
of Europe, was to appear in the Courier; but when the
Courier appeared it was found that the news was stale, and
the conclusions had been anticipated. The whole amount
of the" most important news" was, that the Duke d'An•
gouleme. had left Madrid fur Seville, for the purpose of
standing the views of the Cortes respecting negotiation, as
the desire of France to terminate the contest had been in•
creased by the infatuated conduct of the Regency; but the
Cortes hadcontinued to persevere in a determined mist-
ance, and declared they would sacrifice the lives of Ferdi-
nand and the Royal Family rather than submit. The con-
duct of the Regency, ( the Courier states,) was
such as aggravated rather than allayed the di'
fereoces between the Constitutionalists and the Royal-
ists; and when the Duke d'Angouleme was about to leave
Madtiol for Seville. the Regency peremptorily demanded
that they should be the companions of his Royal High•
ness. The demand was as peremptorily refused. Still the
Regency pressed their demand of being always at the head-
quarters of the French army. Upon which it was deemed
necessary to hold out threats, which alone prevented their
carrying their intentions into execution. One of these
threats, says the Courier, we understand was, that the
French army would leave them to themselves, and take-up
a position behind the Ebro.

We havabeen of late so much engaged with the foreign
relations of. this 'country, that we have had no leisure to
advert to those of a domestic nature, which were accustom-
ed to demand so mach attention :—but as they will force
themselves again into interest, it is not wise entirely to
overlook them, beeansethe people have relapsed into a state.
of comparative indifference. The causes of this indifference
are two-fold. One portion of the community has grown'
careless, out of mere despair of making any impression
upon the ministerial sensibilities, on the questions of reform
and the currency ;—and another portion, feeling the hand
of taxation a little lightened, begins to conclude, rather too
hastily, that it will never be laid on heavily *gals ; but
that it will be. gradually lightened, until it is entirely re-
moved. John Bull is famous for his capacity of belief.
Nothing staggers his faith. Had it been written that Jonah
swallowed the whale, be would have found stomach for it,
with scarcely a wince. Nor is he particular about his
authority. Baron Munchausen is a finer name than Locke;
and .John Bull finds the former the more entertaining
writer. • We once beard a lady, when Gulliver
was condemned as improbable, ask " why it might
" not'be true: things equally strange were believed, and
" wliy not Gulliver?" Thus John Bull always reasons—
" Why may it not be tree?" and as no answer can be given
t 6 miracle mongers why the catalogue of miracles should
not be increased, it is hut a gulp more, and a new one is
,swallowed. Mr. Huskisson tells the people that the taxes
are greatly reduced; and as the tax gatherer comes for
less money, the story is believed; though it costs the payers,
perhaps, twice as much labour, trouble, or ingenuity, to ob-
tain it. We, however, look at matters a little more closely;
and we know that the taxation is increased, and that it will
go on increasing, as the race of the tax eaters increase,
either in appetite, or in numbers. People tell us, and we
-dare say Mr. liuskisson will say so too, that the times are
melding. We say they are getting worse. Ask any per.
sons who are concerned in the transaction of business with
what remains of the middle orders, whether they ever expe-
rienced so much difficulty in getting in their money? or whe•
ther they ever had so many bad debts ? They will readily
answer No:—and this can be no proof of mending times.i
People are getting gradually poorer. The rich farmer be-1
• gins to find Isis luxuries expensive, and his hounds and his 11
banters must be given up. The middling farmer finds his
comforts cost too much, and they must be curtailed :—and 1
the small farmer, who was not accustomed to be poor be-1
cause his farm was small, finds it almost impossible to go
on. Suds sort of people used to pride themselves upon
having a few guineas by them; their bills were always
punctually paid when due; and there was m mach honest
pride under the thatch of the cottage, as in the hall of the
squire. The case is materially altered with this class.
Money is very scarce amongst them. They compound with
the. doctor of the village with hay and oats for physic:—
and a sort of barter is established, is order to meet the
demands against them. It will, of come, take a long time
to reduce a country so rich its resources as this, so well
cultivated, and inhabited by a race so industrious and en-
terprising, to the lowest stage of degradation and poverty
This stage, however, must be reached, if the taxation pro-
reeds. Markets are better; and things being as people any,
looking sip, why the people say they ought to look up too;
and they gape at the heaven of promises, which Milton
designates as the limbo of fools, totally regardless of the
dangers which are at their feet. But " are not
things better ?" says Sir Thomas Lethbridge. Cer-
tainly they are; and a sick man may be a great
deal better, and yet die at last. The seeming mend-
ing is only the hectic flush on the cheek of a consumptive
patient. It looks well—but it is only seeming. It comes
and vanishes like a Fusing shadow; and is rather an indi.
cation of the existing disease, than au augury of returning
convalescence. The present advantages of the farmers will
not make up for their past losses; and their difficulties will
recur again,before they are ready for them. It is the trick
of the system, to peed alternately upon the various classes.
Its patrons know well enough that if it were to press hea-
vily upon all classes of the community at the same time.
there would be a speedy termination of its evils. The
whole mass would rise at once, and throw it off their shoul-
ders. Nor would it be advisable to let it rest too long upon
any class, lest the class should not be able to recover itself ;
so they have balanced it so nicely, and regulated its move-
ments so dexterously, that it makes a circuit, and shears as
closely as possible, in its march, in all directions. At env
period provisions arc cheap, then the manufactures boorish.
They become dearer, and then the condition of the agricul-
culturists mends. The different classes dance upon the
pivot of the system; like the figures in a Dutch weather
house—one out and the other in, as rain or sunshine prevail,
And the British public is quite contented to be the passive
puppet, while the wires are alternately pulled this way or
that way, at the pleasure of the puppet masters in Down-
ing.street. When matters are not quite so bad as they might
be, the public are quite delighted, and public spirit falls
asleep. I f the vessel does not groaod every minute, there
is no keeping the crew to their duty. Nothing but the
presence of actual danger will rouse them to exertion; and
theo, of course, the exertion is too late for prevention, and
I often too late for remedy.
11

Letters and misers have been received from Madrid to the
fith instant. Tory contain nothing of any importance.—
It would appear, however, from them, that very active ope-
rations were carrying on by the Constitutimmi Guerillas
in Estretusdara, as we are told that some light troops had
left Madrid in great haste, to assist the Royalists in that
quarter, and to prevent the enemy from advancing on the
capital.
A letter from Paris. dated Monday last, says,—" The
publication of liallasteros's submission yesterday, the pub-
lication of the bulletin, giving an account of his defeat to-
day. and the state of tialicia.as it appears in the English
papers, have inspired the speculators in the funds with an
Idea that all is over in Spain. This decision is, no doubt.
premature; but it cannot he concealed that the submission
of Ualicia, and the dispersion of the troops of Ballasteros