Member for Galway adopted the suggestion, agreed to consolidate his Bills, to restore bears, monkeys, and badgers, to the animalia class, and withdrew his motion.

Mr Hume then moved for certain returns connected with the Legacy Duty. The Hon. Member accompanied his motion by urging strong objections against the principle of the tax, and citing several instances of the harshness and injustice of its operation, as where duties which should have been demanded ten or fifteen years before, were, after that delay, exacted from Executors and Administra. tors, long after the means of paying had passed out of their hands.

12. Mr Hume moved for a Committee to take into consideration the laws prohibiting the emigration of artificers, and the exportation of machinery, and the several statutes for the prevention or punishment of combination amongst work ́men, with a view to their repeal. Mr Huskisson professed his concurrence in the principles laid down by the last speaker, and joined him in lamenting the loss which the question and the interests of trade had suffered by the death of Mr Ricardo. The Right Hon. Gentleman seemed to think that the permission to export machinery was a subject of more difficulty than the repeal of the laws against emigration and combination; but the general tendency of his speech was to approve of all Mr Hume's propositions. A Committee of twenty-one, consisting of about two-thirds Members who usually vote with Ministers, was chosen.

16. The Bill to repeal the Usury Laws was read a second time, and was supported by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mr Huskisson. Sir George Clerk then brought up the Navy Estimates, upon which an interesting discussion ensued. Mr Hume opposed the vote of twenty-nine thousand seamen and marines for the service of the year, and moved an amendment, that the number be limited to twenty-five thousand. Mr Secretary Canning made a powerful appeal to the House on the necessity which exists for our having a strong naval force in the Mediterranean, the West Indies, and on the coasts of South America, in the course of which the Right Hon. Gentleman said, "he would take that opportunity of stating, in explanation of a pass. age in his Majesty's Speech, that there never was a period in which this country might, with greater certainty, expect a continuance of peace; but," he added, "it must be clearly seen, that there never was a period in which there was so much agitation." Mr Hume afterwards with

drew his amendment, and the resolutions were agreed to.

17. Mr S. Wortley moved for leave to bring in a Bill upon the subject of the Game Laws; the Hon. Member gave a slight outline of the measure to the following effect:-He would, he said, propose that every man, without distinction of qualification, should have the absolute right to kill game upon his own ground, and that every holder of land should have the power of imparting the privilege of sporting upon that land to one friend for every plough-gate which he should hold. That he would propose to give to landholders a summary remedy, by fine at the discretion of a Magistrate, against intruders by day, and a security against night poachers by a scale of punishments, moderate at first, and increasing with each repetition of the offence; and by holding convicted poachers to bail; and finally, that he would propose to legalise the sale of game by licensed persons.→→→ The motion was slightly opposed by Sir John Shelley, and leave was granted without a division.

The

Lord Nugent then brought forward his promised motion for certain papers connected with the late proceedings of the British Government in Spain. Noble Lord introduced the subject in a speech of very great length. He admitted that neutrality was the proper policy of this country, and that which the popular feeling indicated; but he denied that the Ministers had been impartially neutral; and brought in proof of their bias against the Constitutionalists, the retirement of Sir Wm. A'Court from Seville, after the King had been put under restraint; and Sir William's advice to Gen. Alava, as a private friend, to withdraw from the ruin which threatened the Constitutionalists in Cadiz. Lord Nugent's speech was, as we have said, very long; but these were the only specific allegations contained in it. Mr Sturges Bourne and Mr Canning briefly defended the course taken by our Government, and the measures adopted by Sir William A'Court, (who acted in a great degree upon his own discretion ;) and Lord Nugent's motion was rejected, in favour of an amendment moved by Mr Bourne, by a majo rity of 171 to 30.

19. Mr Grenfell, in bringing forward his motion for the production of certain Bank Accounts, insisted strongly upon the position which had been controverted on a former evening, that Parliament had a right to call upon the Bank for a statement of all its issues in paper. Relinquishing, however, that part of the inquiry, on the ground of expediency, the

Honourable Member confined his motion to the production of two accounts :1. A Statement of the Balance of Public Money in the hands of the Bank; 2. Of the charge made by the Bank for the management of the public debt. Upon the four millions of public money left in their hands, it will be found, said Mr Grenfell, that this body make annually not less than £.120,000; whereas, if the sum were lodged with any private banker, he would think himself liberally paid by a yearly allowance of £.20,000. Here then was a loss to the public, and a gain to the Bank, of £.100,000. a-year. As to the second head, the charge made last year for the management of the public debt was £.260,000; and though, undoubtedly, the Bank executed this duty in a very excellent and complete manner, there was much reason to believe they were greatly overpaid, and that a yearly remuneration of £160,000 would be quite sufficient. The Chancellor of the Exchequer reminded the House of the great public services which had been rendered by the Bank: moreover, he contended that, so long as the Bank Charter existed, Parliament could not interfere to diminish the rate of their remuneration. Mr Hume expressed his doubts as to this doctrine. The House had interposed, in 1808, to increase the profits of this Body, and it was not easy, therefore, to see why it might not interfere to reduce them. Several Members expressed a hope that, when the Bank Charter expired, it would not be renewed. Observations, also, were made upon the plan lately adopted by the Bank, of lending money upon landed security. "If," said Mr Baring, "the Bank should have twelve or thirteen millions of capital vested in mortgages, in addition to the burden of the dead weight, they would be very ill qualified to render the country any assistance, should we be compelled to enter into a war, where a great exertion would be required; so that, although partial advantages might be conferred by the system of loans on mortgage, the House ought not to shut their eyes to the public danger which might arise from the practice." Upon neither of the points, however, on which Mr Grenfell had asserted the Bank profits to be excessive, did Mr Baring agree with him. Maberly and Mr Monck expressed their opinions in consonance with those of the

mover.

Mr

The production of the accounts was ultimately agreed to.

Mr Peel introduced a Bill, to amend the Prison Discipline Act of last Session. The chief alterations are these:-Magistrates will be enabled to commit pri soners to the County Gaol, instead of the

gaols of their small jurisdictions; by this means, a greater uniformity in prison discipline will be effected. Prisoners, it will be clearly stated, are not to be consigned to hard labour before trial. Sir Thomas Lethbridge suggested, that the expense attending the administration of the public justice should be borne by the nation at large. The present system of making each county pay its own expenses was in. jurious, argued Sir Thomas, to the landed interest. Mr Hobhouse urged strong objections to the tread-mill, chiefly on account of the inequality of the punishment to persons possessing different degrees of strength: to which Mr Peel replied, that, after the fullest consideration, and the strictest inquiries, he believed it the most advantageous employ. ment ever yet devised.

Another Bill was introduced by the same member of the Government, for consolidating and amending the acts which relate to Juries. At present, those acts are not fewer than fifty. The chief amendment in the new Bill relates to the extension of the qualification of jurors. It will also provide for their more effectual attendance; and thus tend to equalize the burden upon the community. The nomination of jurors will no longer be left to subordinate officers, such as constables and tithing-men; but Magistrates will be enabled to check the returns of those officers, to insert the names of all persons qualified, and to punish any omission in the returns. In the course of the discussion, some very strong remarks were made by Mr Hume and Dr Lushington upon the dreadful extent, complexity, and confusion of the Statute law.

A very animated discussion then took place upon a motion by Mr Grattan, for 66 a return of the names of persons holding certain offices (specified by the motion) in Ireland, distinguishing such as are Roman Catholics." Though the debate upon this question was long, the substance of it may be very briefly stated. The object of the mover was, to show that the act of 1793, which made the Catholics of Ireland eligible to certain offices, had not been carried into effect; so that not only were members of that unfortunate class subjected to penal laws which still existed, but they were systematically excluded from those offices to which, under the law, they had a right to be appointed. It was denied, by ministers, that this system of exclusion had been acted upon; but the only argument urged against the motion was, that the House, by adopting it, would call on Government to make returns respecting the religious persuasions of those in its employment.

FEBRUARY.

Coach Travelling. It is calculated that a person has 1500 opportunities of leaving London in the course of the twenty-four hours, by stage-coaches, including the repeated trips of the coaches which ply the short distances. It is understood that about 300 stage-coaches pass through Hyde Park Corner daily. There are about 40 Brighton coaches. There are 84 coaches belonging to Birmingham, of which 40 are daily; to Chester 19, of which 16 are daily. In 1770, there belonged only two stage-coaches to Manchester, one to London, the other to Liverpool, and they went only twice a-week : there are now 20 coaches which pass backward and forward daily between these two places. There are 60 coaches belonging to Liverpool, of which 59 are daily. The mail-coach establishment, by far the most perfect public arrangement ever attempted and carried into practice, is now extended from the extremity of Cornwall to the extremity of Caithness, a distance of 1082 miles.

4-Gambling Houses. In the Court of King's Bench this morning, Mr John Fielder, the proprietor of a gamblinghouse, was sentenced to pay a fine of £.3000 to the King, give sureties, himself in £.5000, and two of £.2500 each; also that he be confined in his Majesty's gaol of Newgate one month.

12.-Newhaven.-We understand that the trustees for the district have determined to improve the communication betwixt Edinburgh and Newhaven, by strik. ing out an entirely new line of road. It is intended that this road shall branch off from Leith Walk somewhere between Gayfield Square and the Botanic Garden, and from thence be carried in a straight direction through the grounds of Warriston to the west end of Newhaven. In order to improve the access to the pier, which is at present extremely inconvenient, it is also in contemplation to throw up a stout bulwark between the village and the sea, by which means the narrow, rugged, and dirty street, which at present requires to be traversed by carriages, may be avoided.

Suicide. On Tuesday, the body of William Clarke, an old man, about 70 years of age, and lately a corset-maker in Edinburgh, was found floating in the canal in the neighbourhood of this city. He had been missing for three weeks, during which time, from the state of the

body, it seems it had lain in the water. A paper was found in his pocket, stating his intention to drown himself, and giving as a reason, that he had been some time in absolute want. He also beseeched those who might find his body to inquire after, and for humanity's sake relieve his wife, who was also suffering from the same cause. The poor man had been so firmly determined on this desperate step, that he had made fast a stone to a rope, and put the other end by a loop round his neck. The stone having loosened, had caused the body to float, but the rope was found about the corpse. On inquiring after his wife, it was learned that she had gone to live with a relative, and Clarke's body was buried by the police.

26.-Burns's Monument.-The great, er proportion of the funds for this monument were, we understand, transmitted from India, doubtless by natives of Scotland. It is to consist of a pedestal, surmounted by a colossal statue of Burns, which is at present preparing by the celebrated sculptor, Flaxman. In the model submitted to, and approved of by the Committee, Burns is represented in his native costume, in the attitude of contemplative reflection; in his hand is placed the mountain daisy, emblematical of one of his sweetest poems; in his left he holds a roll, on which are engraved the words "Cottar's Saturday Night," a poem equally remarkable for its genuine piety and poetical simplicity. The statue, which is of bronze, is to be placed in a conspicuous situation in the New Town of Edinburgh. The funds amount to nearly £.2000.

HIGH COURT OF JUSTICIARY.-Attempt to Murder. On the 2d instant, Thomas Hay, weaver, King-Street, Leith, was placed at the bar, charged with as-. saulting, stabbing, and wounding, with intent to murder, William Moffat, wright in Leith, on the 20th of July last. The prisoner was before the Court for trial on the 24th December last, but one of his Counsel, Mr Patrick Robertson, then moved that the diet should be continued, to afford opportunity for some medical persons to examine into the state of his mind, to ascertain whether or not he was a fit subject for trial. A certificate from Drs Spens and Wood, and Mr Bryce, surgeon, to the effect that the prisoner was of sound mind, was now read. On the present occasion, the prisoner seemed agitated when brought into Court. On

being desired by one of the police-officers to take off his hat, he refused, alleging that he would catch cold; it was, however, taken off by the officer. When the indictment was reading, he once exclaimed, "It is not true !" and when he was interrogated if he was Guilty or Not Guilty, he replied, "Not Guilty, but Wilson is guilty of rousing me out of my bed this morning without any breakfast, and I suppose there are few here in that situation."

The prisoner was possessed of some property in Leith, and it appeared had invited Mr Moffat into his house, under pretence of consulting him as to some repairs on it; and while the latter was employed, at his desire, in decyphering a cramply-written letter, the prisoner made a lounge at him with a knife, which he held in both hands. Fortunately, however, the attention of Mr Moffat was aroused by hearing a strong respiration behind him, and he turned round in sufficient time to ward off the blow with his arm. He closed with and disarmed Hay, but not till his hand was severely wounded by the knife. It did not clearly appear what motive had incited Hay to this diabolical deed; but he had cunningly prepared for its perpetration and concealment, by turn

ing an oil-cloth carpet, and placing it in the manner of a trough, inside of the chairs. An attempt was made, unsuc cessfully, to prove the prisoner insane. He was found guilty, and sentenced to 14 years transportation, and to be previ ously whipped through the streets of Leith. This latter part of the sentence was carried into execution on the 18th.

On Monday the 16th instant, James Watt was charged with assault, but as it was shewn that the pannel had already been punished by fine in an inferior court, he was dismissed with an admonition from the Lord Justice Clerk.

Mary Horn, alias M'Stravick, who had been indicted at Glasgow for murder, and assault with intent to commit murder, and against whom a verdict of guilty of the crimes libelled, but the intention to commit murder not proven, was deliver. ed, and whose case had been certized to the High Court upon an objection in arrest of judgment, was placed at the bar, and judgment prayed on the prisoner by the Lord Advocate. After a variety of learned reasoning, on the point of law in this case, had been gone through by the counsel, and the opinions of the Lords had been given, the prisoner was sentenced to transportation beyond seas for life.

I. CIVIL.

Jan. 28. The dignity of a Baron granted to Sir Robert Gifford, Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas.

Feb. 4. William Robert Keith Douglas, Esq. to be one of the Lords of the Admiralty.

II. ECCLESIASTICAL.

Jan. 15. The first Associate Congregation of Sunderland gave a most harmonious call to Mr Alexander Shaw, Preacher.

26. The Rev. Hugh Ralph, M.A. of London, was elected Minister of the Scotch Church, Oldham-Street, Liverpool.

Feb. 3. Mr John Crambe, assistant to the Rev. Walter Fisher of Cranston, was elected Minister of the Low Meeting, Berwick, by a very large majority, in room of the Rev. Mr Henderson, now of Claremont Chapel, Stockbridge, Edinburgh.

5. The Rev. John Thomson, Minister of Leith Wynd Chapel, Edinburgh, was inducted to the second pastoral charge of the Parish of Dysart, vacated by the translation of the Rev. David Murray to the Church of St. David's, Dundee.

17. The Rev. Kenneth Mackenzie, by an unanimous call of the Congregation, appointed to the Gaelic Chapel of Gorbals, was ordained to that charge by the Presbytery of Glasgow.

2 Life Gds. Ensign Sir W. Scott, Bt. from 51 F. Cornet and Sub. Lieut. by purch. do. Cornet and Sub. Lieut. Rooke, Lieut. by purch. vice Collins, ret 24 do. E. G. Howard, Cornet and Sub. Lieut. by purch. do.

6

2 do.

29 Jan. do.

2 Dr. Gds. Cornet Hepburn, from h. p. 19 Dr. Cornet vice Craufurd, 2 Dr. Capt. Stephenson, Major by purch. vice Fitz Clarence, prom. Lieut. Nooth, Capt. by purch. Cornet Richards, Lieut. by purch. do. E. Jerningham, Cornet by purch. do. Cornet Craufurd, from 2 Dr. Gds. Cor. net vice Edleman, h. p. 19 Dr. 22 do. C. Norman, Cornet by purch. vice Markham, 9 Dr. 12 Feb.

2 Dr.

11

13

W. H. Warrington, Cornet vice Part

ridge, res.

29 Jan.

Cornet Dalzell, Lieut. by purch. vice Hislop, ret. 5 Feb.

purch.

Ensign Hart, from 63 F. Cornet by do. Colds. Gds. W. G. Carter, Solicitor, vice Wilkinson, dead 29 Jan.

7 F.

do.

Capt. Beauchamp, from h. p. 19 Dr.
Capt. vice Hulme, 96 F.
Lieut. Maclachlan, from h. p. 49 F.

Lieut. vice Spratt, 96 F.

5 Feb.

Major-Gen. Sir J. Lambert, K.C.B. Col. vice Sir T. Maitland, dead 18 Jan Lieut. Conry, from 63 F. Capt. by purch. vice Berkeley, 2 W. 1. R. 5 Feb.

R. T. Furlong, Ens.

29 Jan.

Capt. Byrne, from 35 F. Capt. vice Gethin, 96 F. Ensign Darroch, Lieut. vice Robinson, dead 25 do.

do.

15 Jan. G. H. Calcraft, Ensign by purch. vice Phelps, 51 F.

do.

Lieut. Peters, from h. p. 1 W.L.R. Quart. Mast. vice Reynolds, h. p. 12 Feb. Lieut. Foskey, from 54 F. Adj. and Lieut. vice Weir, res. Adj. only

29 Jan. Lieut. Ker, from h. p. 23 F. Lieut. vice 5 Feb. Ouseley, 96 F. Major M'Gregor, from h. p. 78 F. Maj. 29 Jan. vice Nicholls, 96 F.

Capt. Graham, from h. p. 17 Dr. Capt. 5 Feb. vice Waller, 96 F. Surg. Gowen, from h. p. 6 W. I. R. Surg. vice Thomas, cancelled 22 Jan. Lieut. Walsh, from h. p. 2 Gn. Bn. Lieut. vice Davies, 94 F.

29 do.

Capt. Cradock, from h. p. 64 F. Capt. vice Byrne, 20 F.

5 Feb.

Bt. Maj. Carter, Maj. vice Guthrie, dead 5 June 1823. Lieut. Caulfield, Capt. vice O'Reilly, dead 26 May Hemming, ditto, vice Carter 5 June Ensign Browne, Lieut. vice Caulfield 26 May Carr, ditto, vice Hemming 5 June Shaw, ditto, vice Sargent, dead 6 do. H. Usher, Ens, vice Browne 26 May G. Browne, ditto, vice Carr 14 Jan. 1824 H. Nixon, ditto, vice Shaw 15 do. Ensign Phelps, from 28 F. Ens. vice 8 do. Scott, 2 Life Gds. Lieut. Warren, from h. p. 84 F. Lieut. 5 Feb. vice Foskey, 29 F. Mackworth, Ens. by purch. vice Hart, 13 Dr.

do.

Ensign Doyle, Lieut. by purch. vice Conroy, 16 F.

12 do.

do. Hon. G. Spencer, Ens. by purch. Lieut. Smith, Capt. vice Lane, dead 11 May 1823

Lieut. Gen. Sir G. Drummond, G.C.B. from 88 F. Col. vice Gen. Dundas, dead 28 Jan. 1824

Lieut. Lightbody, Adj. vice Torriano, res. Adj. only

15 do. Lieut. Faincombe, Capt. by purch. vice 12 Feb. Hamilton, ret.

Ensign Champion, Lieut. by purch. do. F. Carr, Ens. by purch.

do.

Lord C. Wellesley, Ens. by purch. vice Harford, prom. 16 Jan.

E. T. Cunynghame, do. by purch. vice Wigley, 20 F.

Ensign Young, Lieut. vice

Afr. Col. Corps

H. F. Ainslie, Ens.

5 Feb.

Hingston,

29 Jan.

Lieut. Watts, Capt. vice Ball, dead

Major Browne, Lieut.-Col. vice Miller,

do.

6 Nov. 1823.

H. E. Taylor, Ens.

22 Jan. 1824.

dead

18 May 1823

Bt. Maj. Streatfield, Maj.

do.

Lieut. Day, Capt.

do.

Ensign Halstead, Lieut.

do.

M'Kenzie, from h. p. 24 F. Lieut. Ousley, from 30 F. Lieut. Ensign Cross, from h. p. 11 F. Ens. do. Telford, from h. p. 9 F. Ens. do. Oxley, from 1 Vet. Bn. Ens. do. Costello, from h. p. 34 F. Ens.

do. Story, from h. p. 17 F. Ens. do. O'Brien, from h. p. 65 F. Ens. do. Lieut. Sutherland, from h. p. 100 F. do. Adj. and Lieut.

Mast.

do.

Serj. Murchison, from 3 F. Gds. Quart. 5 Feb. Rifle Brig. Lieut. Byrne, Adj. vice Kincaid, res. Adj. only 2 W. I. R. Lieut. Locke, from 1 Life Gds. Capt. by purch. vice Stepney, ret. 29 Jan. Bt. Lieut. Col. Berkeley, from 16 F. Maj. by purch. vice De la Houssaye, 5 Feb. 15 Jan. Ceylon R. 2d Lieut. Mylius, 1st Lieut. Stewart, from h. p. 2d Ceylon 25 June 1822. Reg. 2d Lieut. Mackay, from h. p. 2d Lieut. do.

E. De L'Etang, Ens. vice Doyle, 4 Dr.

N. M. Doyle, do. vice Halstead

C. Lizar, Ens.

J. Goodwin, Ens.

1 Vet. Bn. Capt. Hamilton, from h. p. 99 F. Capt.

Willshire, from h. p. Portugal Service, Capt.

Lieut. Weyland, from h. p. 8 F. Lieut. vice Nicholls, 94, F.

do.

Christian, from h. p. 34 F. Lieut.

do.

Paterson, from h. p. 57 F. Lieut.

do.

vice Dowling, 96 F.

15 Jan. 1824.

vice Mayes, 95 F.

Lieut. Gen. Sir H. F. Campbell, K.C.B.
Col. vice Drummond, 71 F.
Lieut. Davies, from 35 F. Lieut. vice
Orr, canc.
1 Dec. 1823.

Surg. Tilt, from h. p. 27 F. Surg.

Assist. Surg. Lorimer,

Assist. Surg.

VOL. XIV.

do.

Ens. Ward, from h. p. 66 F. Ens. vice

do.

2d Lieut. Browne, from h. p. Rifle Brig. Ens: vice Cowerd, 94 F.

do:

Ens. Tait, from h. p. 78 F. (repaying the diff. he received on exchange) Ens. vice Oxley, 96 F.

22 do.

15 do.

Capt. Harold, from h. p. 1 Gar. Bn. Capt. vice Cairncross, 96 F.

Stewart, from h. p. 42 F. Capt. vice Kirkman, 95 F.

do.

Lieut. Small, from h. p. New Bruns

wick Fencibles, Lieut. vice Stewart, 94 F.

3 B

do.