Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-05-14
From the N,c- York american Of May 10.
LATEST FROM ENGLAND.

| OF many VINO nau SoouS oii oodTu, anu
who feared she might have met with
one of those huge islands of ice that
Capt Webb reported; and where pro-
fits on importations are as large as at
present, insurance affords no consola-
ton for loss. The dates by her are
two days later than before from Lon
don.
In the Parliamentary proceedings we
observe that leave was given to the
Chancellor of the Exchequer to bring
in bill for the purpose Of allowing
head money to the officers Of the navy
for the number of pirates taken and
DESTROYED. Would not a similar mea-
sure be expedient in our navy? There
is much peril, both by battle and eli
mate, in the service against the pirates
and very little renown. Every adj
vantage, therefore, that can, consis-
tently with naval usage, be granted to
the officers and men employed on the
West India station, should, we think, be
! readily conceded. And il is customa-
ry during war. to allow the captors
head money for the number OF the enc
my captured or destroyed.
In the discussion Of the items of the
Supply Bill, in the House Of Commons
on the 2Sth March, 100000 were voted
for the British Museum, principally,
as appeared in the course of the discus
sion, With view to improve the gale
nv of paintings, so as to establish in
time "National Gallery" of which
the fine Angersten collection, bought a
year or two since by the government is
so admirable commencement 1t
was recommended by some of the
members that Marshal Soult's collec-
ton should be bought for the Museum.
From the remarks during the discus
sion on the subject ofa Gallery Of paint
ines, it is however obvious enough,
that the love, and, as it were instructive
taste in Judging Of fine pictures, which
belong 10 the southern nations Of Eu-
rope, are erotic in England, as we shall
not much wrong our countrynfen at
large IN saying, we believe they are a
mcng us. We cannot better illustrate
this, as il regards England, than by an
neXing from the debate of Mr.. Croker's
explanation of the great increase in
the number Of visiters to the British
Museum, which was stated by Sir
Charles Long to have occurred last
year, and which was assumed by him
as a proof that the taste Of the public
was improving. Sir Charles said,
':That if the Hon. Gentleman who
last spoke had looked to the returns
from the British Museum, he would
have seen that the visitors were ex-
tremelv numerous. During the last
year, unfavorable as the situation was
said to be, upwards of ten thousand
persons had visited the Museum.
"Mr. Croker said he understood that
the two white bears imported by capt.
Parry had been the means Of adding
some thousands to the ordinary list OF
visitors" Laughter
And so it is with us. "rhe white
bear" and dulcet organ of our friend
Scudder's Museum, have charms for
thousands, where the contiguous paint
ings of West, Lawrence, frumbull, and
others, scarcely attract dozens.
Mr.. Canning appeared in his place
in the House Of Commons on the goth,
but was apparently so much indispos-
ed as TO be imaudible in some few re-
marks he made, in the gallery.
MIR. Huskisson has moved for a com.
mittee to inquire into the effect Of the
repeal CAST year, of the combination
laws. 1t appeared by the speech of
Mr.. H. in supporting his motion, that
since the penalties against combina-
ton have been done away, the work
men in various trades had organized
themselves into societies, having pre-
sidents, treasurers, secretaries, SC &c.
which dignitaries were chosen by de-
legates from various parts of the king
dom; and that independent of each
particular association there was, as Mr..
Huskisson expressed it, "a sort Of fe-
deral republic of different trades" COM
posed Of delegates from each separate
trade. BY means of this organization,
the terms of labour we're dictated to
the masters-monies were levied from
the workmen, and unity of action
produced that might lead to disastrous
consequences. Even the seamen,
thoughtless and inconsequential as they
usually are, had, it seems, entered into
the SYSTEM: and Mr.. Huskisson in
stanced case where vessel having
got on bank, and it becoming neces-
sary to shift her ballast before she
could get of, the sailors refused to do
that work, because, by the regulations
of the Union Society, to which they be-
longed, shifting ballast was not con
sidered any part of the business of a
seaman. The vessel, a smack, actually
remained in consequence some time, in
perilous situation, till kings ship
fortunately came near and relieved her
for doing which claim had been made
and awarded ofk2oo as salvage.
Mr.. Hume. at whose instigatlor