The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-02-08 00:00:00

THE BRITISH GALLERY.

The British Gallery in Pall Mall opened on Monday
last, and although filied with very gay and souse very
clever pictures, it does not possess so many subjects of
high intellectual character as usual.
We are sorry to see the meritricions and gaudy por-
trait style of Somerset House prevailing in an establish-
ment professedly dedicated to the encottragement of
those subjects that can alone do honuar to our national
There are several, however, which prove, that the
highest and purest feeling exists in souse of our
painters ; and which, if aided by the fostering hand of
politic patronage, will, we have no doubt, produce
works worthy to compete with those of the tunes of old.
Indeed, there is one picture which would maintain its
ground against the congregated chef d'teuvres of any
age or country, whether considered for grandeur of
subject—magnificence of effect—splendour and harmony
of colonring—tenth of costume—and vigour of exern-
tion—or all these combined. We allude to " Belshaz-
zar's Feast," by Mr. Martin; lout our limits will allow
its to describe it very briefly. The feast is going on in
a quadrangle of the palace, formed of the grandest archi-
tecture. The king and his splendia attendants occupy
the fore-ground of the picture, anti appear in utter de-
spair and horror at the interpretation that Daniel is
giving of the writing, which in characters of living
flame, blase on the opposite wall, illumining the whole
scene by their portentous glare. The effects of this
supernatural appearance is infinitely varied in a com-
pany of perhaps thousands. Some have heard Daniel's
terrible interprettation, and are overwhelmed with
grief. Many only see the writing, and are transfixed
with dread. Oth'ers, shade,' by a projecting wall, are
hastily ;pitting their table in alarm and astonishment,
to learn the cause of the universal confusion. The in-
terest is not peruitted to end in the quadrangle; arcades
retising to an lunaense ilistmice, present tables filled
with guests, all agitated by the confusion, which they
_ - - •;--

41111 warren vows,
deities are introduced to preside at the feast, but in vain
do their priests invoke them ; their puny tires are
eclipsed in the terrible splendour that blazes froni the
finger of Jehovah. The grandeur is conveyed into the
most disimat parts of the hark-grootncl, where the tower
of Babel, and other edifices, appear surrounded n ith
mattes of threatening clouds, except in one small break,
where t:ie silvery moon invites the mind to sweet repose
after the violent agitations of the scene below.
Mr. 11V.ton's picture of " the Meceim of Ulysses
cad Penelope," is very interesting. The dignity of
['lmes is admirably expressed, and the affectionate
eagerness of Penelope, as she rushes forward to receive
his edihrace, is exquisitely delineated.
Another very interesting picture is " Aiag hear re-
rignietu,? Curflelia on hie recoreriv from his matt
sees," by Mr. King. The poor old monarch, whose eye
still retains a spark of the tire of insanity, bends for-
ward, and wi:h i tremblin^ hand draws his daughter
towards him, seeming still doubtful that be is not " in
his perfect mind." Llfrdelia presses forward, watching
the first return of reason with anxious hope. The Phy-
sician stands behind, meditating with professional acu-
men on the progress of the recovery. We think the
head of Lear very grand in character and expression ;
and from the feeling displayed throughout the picture,
we do not hesitate to assert that Mr. King, if he perse-
vere, will soon rank high in his profes-lidn. We under-
stand this is the same gentleman whose Hamlet last year
displayed great taste and chasteness both of deiign and
execution.

PRFSBT mar or Entmstauu.—On Thursday the
Presbytery met agreeably to adjournment. After
souse routine business, a letter from Lord Sidawitth
to the Moderator, in answer to the loyal address to
his Majesty, agreed to at the last 'needier, was read
by the Clerk, in which his Lordship informed the
Modetator that his Majesty hail received the address
in the most gracious manner. Mr, Andrew Thomson
rose, and gave notice of his intention to submit a mo-
dem at the next meeting of Presbytery, for an intptiry
into the extraordinary degree of immorality and ir-
religion alleged to exist within the bottods of the
Presbytery, fur the purpose that, if such did exist,
some ecclesiastical remedies might be applied to their
correction. Dr. Inglis did nut object to the notice,
but considered the motion as unnecessary.

Ttts AI 'Lilt LLII MONL:MZXT AT EMIBURSII.--
lt has at length been unwired that this ornamestal
strnctore is to be placed in St. Andrew's-equate. The
Naval Committee having acceded to the wishes of the
Lord Provost and Magistrates, %headword their listen.
Lion of erecting this column in Melville-street, and the
proprietors of St. Asdrew's-square having sanctioned
the erection, it is eaderssood that the Wilding will be
coinuseuced immediately.
At twelve o'clock on T.esdav, his Majesty held a
Conrt, and afterwards a Privy Conseil, at which were
pricked for the sheriffs for the year ensuing. bard
Betesford was iutrodnced to die Conseil, sworn in a
Member.

While the present season has in this easatry bees
remarkable for tondo's', the reverse. it *pram is et,
pefirec•d throughout tins aerthera part if the
Uaibi
SW's. " The whiter," nes the New York Qar of
the 12th alt., " whioli eosin aasissally. fatly. iatimpase
wooly severs I we mutely ever reasowher abieedi
saver on the grated at Chrsettnaso as at present. lOW
of ref Iniigraats who have lately opals aussig
as, as wall at same of oar own papaiation. we are
fearful; will feel the diem of the seams serenely.'

LAW REPORT:
COUAT Op ONO'S lISNCII.--Titts Mourtims.

TR& SM. R. 111./icRIC.
An application waa made to the Court to enlarge the
rule, obtained by 31r. Brougham, calling upon :Le fire.
Mr. Blacow to shew cause why a criminal information
for a libel on the Queen, should not he fil id against him,
until next let m. The enlargement of the rule was granted.
TUE KIING e. SIR ►. 111:RRETT.
As soon as the Court was full, the Attorney-General
moved the further prociedings in this case.
Twn alßilavits were then read; one from Sit Prancis

and the other from Mr. Mariner.
Mr. scsat.err, under feelings of great agitation, rose
to address the Court, in mitigation of punishment. He
was greatly and pet soually interested in the fife of the
lion. Baronet on the atior, whose impOrtanc- and value
to the country was not in the slightest degree diminish-
ell by what had happened in the course of this prosecu-
tion. The history of his life will form part of the his-
tory of his country; and the Court had never been called
upon to exercise its discretion in the case of a more
illustrious individual: In placing him (Mr. Scarlet°
in the situation In which he stood, to address the
Conrt in his behalf, instead of trusting to the
warmth of his own •feeliugs which might betray him
into expressions unpleasant to the Court, be had Fire°
pledge of his solicitude to
,preserve the veneration tilts
to the Court, and a government by law and not Isy the
sword. To writ!), in nice • 'ales fife words which a gen-
tleman in the situation of the Baronet liars to his
constituents, seas chat he was sure their Lordships
world not do. The object of the Hon. Baronet tray
to 'hew that the! ripple heeded not to rely on brute force
for a redress of grievances, but, that the higher ranks
were in sympar.sy with them, and ready to statist
by them in demanding investigation into their wrongs.
The Learned Gentleman hoped, hr should never lire
to see the doctrine countenanced, that it was criminal
to call on the people to petition for a redress of griev-
ances. No statement, by authority, or otherwise, had
ever been made to vary the first accounts of the unfortu-
nate transactions which called forth the letter of his
honourable Client. Ile (Mr. Scarlet° could not,
standing in his situation, after what had passed in
that Court, justify the words used in that letter:
but, at the same time, he must say, that he should
not at the thee, tinder the impression that a great
public calamity had orcurred, have disapproved of
its contents. Ile concluded by declaring his belief tic.t
the Hon. Baronet had tiossbject in view when he wrote
the letter, than time that be bad set forth in Isis affidavit.
Mr. Meuse commenced by expressing himself under
peculiar embarrassment from -hie having been employed
and consulted in this case from the very beginning, and
from the many disappoiatiurtits that his. had mer with in
the result of time applications that had been made to the
Court. Ile then proceeded to justify himself front
a censure that had been cast on him by the Learned,
lientleinan on the other side, for not having applied
to the Conti to postpone the trial on account of
the letter that had been seat to the jury. 'I his appli-
cation, lie contended would litive been received with
scorn, moires he could have traced that letter to its ruler,
which, at that time, he could not do. The Leas ne.t
Gentleman that proceeded to justify, in a melt impres-
sive speech, the conduct of his honourable client. lie
asserted that no man wlici beard him, -Isola have the
least doubt, that the main facts alluded to iu the letter,
Were tree.

SR\TENCE.

King:l Alteek

Prison, soda fine of JAW.

Intsu EMT %VOX u. SIMI try.—Act high National
Society is altent to ho established in for the
education of the children of the pourer classes, with-
out any religions distinction. A numerous and ter-
pectable meeting of gentlemen, who were friendly to
time obj-cts of such an institution, told( place on Tues-
day -se'notight, in the (treat HOOID of the Rotunda,
Lard Cloncurry in the Chair. Mr. L. Plunkett, Mr.
O'Connell, Counsellor Finlay, Mr. Wadden, and the
Rev. Dr. Troy addressed the meeting, and the resolu-
tions originally proposed, were unanimously carried.
Tuesday night, a tieneral Meeting of Masons, Car-
penters, Plumbers, Paiuters, Smiths, awl all others in
the Building Line, took place at the Bear and Ragged
Statf, Smithfield, fur the purpose of I.etitiouing the
House of Common, to restore her Majesty's nstne to
the Liturgy, and ali her ju.t rights and privileg..s
and for a Reform in Parliament. The Mooting was
uttmerotisly attended by the various train. The Peti-
tion was agreed to.
'1 he Southmolton Address to the Queen wail signed.
in eight days. by 974 men, all rolosteeere; hod it
been delayed, signatures would bare been more nume-
rous. The King's Address for turning out the Minis-
ten was signed by 979. The Address to the House
.1 Corn-nom was signed by 97b persona, a'l ab ve lb
revs of age.
Monday aeltaight a very numerous meeting of the
Protestant Dissenters of all denominadons took plate
IA the Independent M or-lionse, Rooftop, and agreed
upon petitions to the Lords and Commons, against
Mr. Broughans's Bill for the Education of the Poor.
whirls are to be sent to the Duke of Bedford and Lord
lihrington foe presentation. The petitions set forth
skit the Bill is oppressive and unjult towards Dis-
senters, increases their chit disabilisiet. and is incon-
sistent with religious liberty.
The Lori Mayor will bold a Court of Common
Council to-niorrorr. to receive • .Report from a Coen-
Doittre relative to the balances of the Orphans' Fried
.10 the bands of Sir William Curtis, the Receiver of tim
Orphan's Dues.
Yesterday a Court
India Hamm, when
link leave of the
dieit respective dentin;
Odle Waterloo, and
the Vansittart, for
This ntornlng the prisoner's ,
Ise. to the different jails of Ibit toot:4l4s. were re-
moved ti Newgate. preparatory to the Sessions at the
Old Saki, which sonueranv osWeslisissfiay Op.
STIMPLE moteh for a stake Mr If.
guises, took plan ea Meaday, bolsters Units. Alshot
and Kianenley, to ride horses Boa's fide their pre-
perty, across a rugged ewantr7,.k4 raileuin a straight
direction as a bird would li. Ihe postai was front
Capt. flaakett's yak, two wiles fr%sev- denatd'iemses,
isil.lll-hmase. mei Welaistkars. AAA wee de
h in one hear awl forty-sona .atimftes, anoltiis
el7vels leaped magnitude is his parent wiz. ilia.
straley's hone failed at al.ap of • rive 4Pi lett,
and had to ge theee miles rased. Me tat awe dam
two hours doing the match.

.

t et DirectinelnesheNl at the g sot
the under4ollollllllllloelemandese
Conn, pedal Iltliervtifti iir
rieations, :-+Capt. R. Al 1.
Id Captain W. 11. C. Dal e.
er St. Helens, Deentoey sad
t prisoner's allied fee felosies.