There are now before us s...
The Times, 1824-12-29T00:00:00

There are Uow before us some detailed statemente re. specting the proposal to establish a Literarv Society at the Cape of Good Hope, and the rejection of that proposal by the Right Honourable and Noble Patron of Lutters and of Liberty, the Lord CIHARLES SOMPRSsEr. It appears, that by an especial and formal article in the prospectus of the intendet sooiety, every thing in the shape of politics wvas to be exeluded from their discussions. Here follows the article alluded to:- 4" It ha% likewise been found a prudent mueasure, and very condu. cive to the peace and permanency of such associations, to excluxde many topics of great interest and imnportance, but on whleb men's opinions are formed, rather from their natural temperament end the accidents of life, than frem universally admitted axioms, or indis- putable authorities. Under this head we must rank the conduct ot existing Goverunmeats, or what is called the poldtics of the day, Con- troversial theology, and, in Slave-countries, we may add, the sub- ject of Slavery. Subjects, also, which are parely professional, though the professions may be liberal, are not agreeable to the genius of such institutions, the members of which should be considered merely as men of liberal miinds, and not as politicians, theologians, lawyera, or physicians." Upon this article was founded a corresponding regulation by the Comnmittee intrusted with thu buLsiness of framing a report, as follows:- " Your Committee beg permission strongly to recommend tothe Society, ever to keep in mind-one great principle, on the observance of which, the prosperity and permanence of the Institution mainly depend, viz.-to avoid, as far as possible, the introduction of such topics as the history of mankind proves have never been discussed without a mixtureof passion and heat, and, consequently, a tendency to disunion and the formation of parties and cabals." The step next in order was the transmission of a me- morial to the Governor, praying his sanction to this intullectual and moral scheme. The memorial was aceoid- ingly transmitted. It stated the formation of thle soeiety- tne exciusion or pOtILCS-tne identity of its constitution and objects with those of the Royal Society patronized by the King of ENGl,AND, and with those of the Asiatic So- ciety at Calcutta, under the irmmnediate protection of the Governor-General and Council of Bengal. Finilly, the memorial bore thesignatures of between 30 and 40 of the respectable British subjects in the colony, craving the honour of his Excellency's approbation. His Excgllency was too deep for the memorialists-he knew their minds better tlhan they did-he flAtly rejected their prayer-ist. Because they had presumetl to form themselves into a society " without any previous referenice to his Excellency," which he was pleased to designate a wvilful" disrogard to the existing authorities at the Cape; ed, Because he could not think of permitting the esta. blishment of an association, which might have a tendency to "produce" polifical discussion ! The very inconvenienlce which the gentlemen who memorialized had shiowni their voluntary d.termination to avoid. So much for Colonial freedom under a Tory of the blood of Somerset. Now, the facts being as represented, we feel anxious to aecert2in for the British public, whether the man is really to be recalled or not. A ministerial newspaper, not many days ago, gave in the name of this Hottentot Grandoe amoig those of other functionaries about to be forthwith superseded. Can the country, we ask, dlepend upon the promise ?-or is the intelligence too good to be true ? AIay it tnot he throw/n out to deaden our indig- nation, until the storn shall blow over, an(d somne fresh nuisance appropriate the public attention ? The interest vjhich supports somne people is very fearfinl to belhol(l. We have heard the BEAvFORT, ILUTI./:N'), STAFFORD, 'HAM- ROWBY, nod tlheir dependlenit law-nakers, countedl up, at the scarcely crcdlible sun of sixty noses in Parliament Il But will Lord HAnnowny lelUd Ills cQuntengnce to men, with whom he woulil not associue for so much as half an hour in a century? WilLMi. CANNING suffer the existence of such gro's blises-as 2refeit to prevail in our colonies, par. ti4ar4j wire faminilyintctest and alliance might lead to tlie suspicjoni that his motives are not free from taint ? If thiese two Ministers, the President of the Couneil annl the FoFbign '66ekeIury,' should be compelled into such mortify, ing personal humiliation, we can understandt the runiour that Lord Liv rki-o6L prays for a speedy and effectual reform in Parliatnent; as for the only change on earth whiclh would ieleae him, aMfinister,from the-gailing yoke. of a spendthrift and rapacious Aristocracy.