only to the claufes) and wait for the third reading, when they would renew their oppofition as warmly as they could. Sir John Wrottefley, the Chairman, then went through the other claufes; and the Houfe having been refumed, immediately adjourned. JUNE 13. The report of the Committee of Supply of the refolution to grant 300,000l. for paying off the debt on the King's civil lift, was brought up and agreed to. Sir Jofeph Mawbey took occafion to obferve, that there muft neceffarily have been fome very improper ufe made of the civil lift revenue, or it never could have run into the prefent arrear. Mr. Burke then brought in his bill for abolifhing various places belonging to the household, as the Board of Green Cloth, &c. The bill was read a first time. Mr. Viner expreffed his furprize that a bill of fuch magnitude fhould have been brought in without any previous notice or explanation: When the honourable Member had first brought in a bill of the fame nature, he made a very long fpeech in explanation of the measure. Mr. Burke faid, that, on the fecond reading, he would enter into an explanation of the difference between the prefent bill and that brought in the year before. Mr. Dempfler expreffed a defire that the bill might be printed; and Lord Beauchamp joined him in his with: it was therefore ordered that it fhould be read a fecond time to-morrow, and printed for the ufe of the members. Mr. Burke then gave notice, that he would foon bring in a bill for regulating the PayOffice, and lowering the enormous fees of the Paymaster of the Forces. Colonel Barré faid, he hoped that the regulations would extend to the office of Treaturer of the Navy. Lord John Cavendish brought in the Turnpike tax bill, which was read a first time. Mr. Alderman Harley declared, that he could not, confiftent with the interefts of the country in general, and of his constituents in particular, give his ailent to a bill, which would greatly injure the cultivation of the country, as it would prevent the making of any new roads, however neceffary they might be. Sir Adam Fergufon oppofed the bill, becaufe it impofed a tax which must be unequally levied, but which must fall heaviest on thofe who were the leat able to bear it. Lord John Cavendish admitted, that the tax would be found heavy; but he defended it upon the neceffity there was of impofing it: the late minifters had left the nation in a wat, which their fucceffors were obliged to fupport. Mr. Martin oppofed the bill; he was afraid it would create difturbance in the country; and read a letter from one of his confiituents, to fupport his opinion. Sir John Wrottefly gave his affent to the bill, because he wished to aflit, and not to clog government. Sir Edward Aftiev thought the present tax preferable to that which it was brought in to replace. Mr. Adam fuggefted a tax, which, in his opinion, government might find their account in adopting, and that was a kind of stamp tax on the wheels of all carriages not employed in agriculture. Mr. Hill, Mr. Eyre, Mr. Montagu, and Mr. Alderman Townsend faid a few words on the fubject; and the House adjourned. JUNE 14. The bill for repealing the 6th of George I. was read a third time, and paffed without any debate. Mr. Burke's retrenching bill was read a fecond time, when that gentleman took occafion to account for the difference that was to be found between the prefent bill, and that which he had brought in two years ago. In the prefent bill he had not introduced any regulation for having the King's household fupplied by contract; for he found that out of the Houfe, and in the Houfe, this was a measure which few or none feemed to relish; and therefore feeing clearly that he never should be able to carry it, he had, though reluctantly, given it up. The regulations relative to the principa lity of Wales, which had been the object of a bill brought in by him, two years ago, were now given up by him, at least for the prefent he would poftpone them; for though he believed that they would be productive of great national utility, ftill he would not prefs them now, as they did not appear agreeable to the people of Wales.-The retrenchment in the Ordnance departmen he poftponed also, it not totally renounced, because that department was now led by a nobleman, whole regard for the public, and whole frugality in laying out their money, would render any regulation in the Ordnance completely unnecetiary.The Mint was another office which he intended formerly to reform; but at prefent, he would poftpone any regulation on that head, because he found a very great backwardneis in the Bank, to which it was his intention to transfer the bufinefs of the Mint, to undertake it. In the Household there were two offices which his former bill went to abolish, but which he did not mean now to meddle with; there were the offices of Treasurer and Cofferer; the officers who filled them carried white wands; and as abolishing them might appear an encroachment upon what added both to the iplendour and dignity of the Crown, he had no objection to fuller them to remain.The Pay office, which he himself filled, food greatly in need of reformation. This bufines he intended to bring before Parliament early in the next feffion. A commiffion of public accounts was an' object of his former bill; but that bufinefs having been fince taken up, and mot most ably executed by the commiffioners, it formed no part of his prefent plan. For all the advantages that would arife to the nation from the different reformations that might be established, he affumed no merit to himself; all thanks, all gratitude, were due to the gracious Sovereign, who ha fo nobly recommended economy and retrenchment to the House, beginning, as he did, in his own Houfehold. Colonel Barré paid very high compliments to the Duke of Richmond, but still wished that fuch regulations fhould be established in his and other offices, as thould put it out of the power of a bad man, if eve. they should happen to be filled with fach, to enrich himfelf with the fpoils of his country. As to his own office, the Treasurer of the Navy, the repost of the Commiffioners of public accounts bore this testimony of it, that it was well conftituted, and the bufinefs of it conducted with great frugality. It was by the balances that treasurers of the navy were enabled to enrich then felves; he should take care to draw only for what fums he really wanted, and thus he fhould have no balances at all. Mr. Viner faid, that he was forry the bill was circumfcribed within fo nanow limits, and embraced fo few objects; however, fuch as it was, he was glad to receive it; and when the honourable Member should think proper to bring in any other bills, for carrying into law the objects which he poftponed for the prefent, he would receive thein fo with thanks. He afked why the Duchy of Lancaster was not included in the bill now before the Houte. Mr. Burke informed the honourable gentleman, that he was greatly mistaken, when he faid that any thing relative to the Duchy of Lancaster was in the bill, which he had brought DRURY LANE was opened on Tuesday the 17th ult. with the Comedy of the Clandestine Marriage. At the end of the first act of which, Mr. King came forward to deliver a new occafional, feriocomic DRAMATIC OGLIO. He was received in his new character of Acting Manager with marks of peculiar efteem, and a confiderable time elapfed in gratulations on the one part, and thanks on the other, before he was fuffered to begin the Addrefs. The fubject of the Oglio was his appointment to act as Manager of the Theatre in the place of Mr. Sheridan. It commenced with a parody on the speech of Othello. into the Houfe in the year 1780; in fact, he had only mentioned it in his fpeech; but finding fuch oppofition to the bill for abolishing the courts of the principality of Wales, he thought it would be needlefs to bring in a bill this year relative to the Duchy; however, as that matter must be of courfe on the fame principle with regulations refpecting the principa lity, if he found the one thould be relished, he would moft certainly extend his views to the other. Mr. Viner faid, that his reafon for voting fo the prefent bill, was, that he found that it paid more respect to the dignity of the Crown than did the bill which he oppofed two years ago: he farther added, that as the Duke of Richmond was not immortal, fo he would vote for fuch regulations in the Ordnance, as should render it impoffible for any fucceffor of his to abuse his power, and plunder the public. Mr. Fox would not admit that there was any thing in the bill, that had been brought in, in the year 1780,-which tended in the fmalleft degree to diminish the dignity of the Crown, which he faid he would go as far as any man in the Houfe to preferve and maintain. He paid the Duke of Richmond many high compliments; but agreed that the intended regulations ought to be introduced into his otce. He justified the appointment of Lord Ashburton to the Chancellorthip of the Duchy of Lançafter. Mr. Courtenay thinking that the praise beftowed on the Duke of Richmond, conveyed an oblique cenfure on his friend Lord Townfhend, the late Mater General of the Ordnance, he role up in defence of his character. The bill then was ordered to be committed on Wednesday next, and the House adjourned. INTELLIGENCE. "Moft potent, grave, and reverend Seigniors, "My very noble and approved good matters, "That I have ta'en the conduct of this old "House, "True-true-I am Manager, &c." After conducting the parody to the paffage "that he would a round unvarnish'd tale de liver," he begs to be permitted to change his ftile, for blank verfe and heroics hobble ungracefully on his tongue. He then, in an admirable vein of pleafantry, but not in very good verfe, relates the converfation of various circles on his new appointment. The chitchat of a fashionable company at the breakfast table, west of Drury, concludes with an obfer. vation, from a veteran Lord, that he who was at firit the pupil, and at laft the friend of Mr. Garrick, cannot act entirely wrong in his new fituation. A Citizen declares that he has a very high opinion of him, because he has conftantly paid regard to the main chance, and appeared three times a week on the 'Change. An Alderman fufpends his judgment, because he conceives that the proof of the pudding is in the eating." So far with refpect to the public opinion on his elevation. He then comes to fee how his friends behind receive the tidings. The Tragedians confider it as the fad omen of their diffolution, and conclude a very dire and doleful farewell to all their greatnefs, with a parody on the fpeech of Othello. They bid farewell to the waving plumes, the gilded treffes, and the fhews of grief that make the ftage important, for now they think "The tragic hero's occupation's o'er.'-The Comedians acknowledge that while one of themselves, he was like Grumio in the farce, all brotherhood and humour. He fhared in all their pleafures, and his laugh was the loudeft in the circle; but now they are afraid he will become like Major Domo Bentivoglio, and lord it over them with a high hand. The vocal performers, and alfo the fons of tweedle-dum and tweedle. dee, confider it as very unfit that Tom King fhould undertake the management of mufic without either voice or ear, and think that he would do better to mind his tumbling at the Wells. Their fentiments are thrown into a fong, which Mr. King fung with great humour. Having thus gone through the various claffes, with which he has to do, he remembers that in all his endeavours to pleafe the town he has frequently been received with fmiles, and never with a frown. Still, however, the task is difficult which he has now to maintain, that he may gain the applaufe of all. He trufts for their indulgence, and concludes with declaring, that the plan which he means to pursue is, to be friendly to the performers, and respectful to the public. It was received with unbounded applaufe; the Houfe rung with the fhouts of the audience; and the plaudits were repeated and continued for a length of time. The manager received a text of the approbation and joy of the town on his investment with an office for which they believe him to be fo peculiarly qualified; and we fincerely hope that the fame warm teftimonies of their affection and applaufe will attend him throughout the feafon. COVENT GARDEN was opened on Monday the 23d ult. when the Houfe exhibited a very fine coup d'oeil, from the improvements which it had undergone, and which induced the Managers to give it the name of the New Theatre in Covent Garden. The foundation of this Theatre was laid in 1729, and it was opened in 1733, with the opera of Achilles, written by Gay. It was much improved a few years ago; but still, though fuperior to Drury-Lane, in the conve nience of accefs and feeing, it was far from being perfect. At the clofe of the last feason, the manager, Mr. Harris, determined to take down, and rebuild the infide, and for this purpofe employed Mr. Richardfon as principal architect. The roof has been raifed eight feet over the stage, and to a proportionate height to the back of the fecond gallery, which opens a full view of the stage, even to the fpectators in the back feats. The firft gallery projects equal to the front of the boxes, and four feats beyond the front of the fecond gallery. This not only gives a light appearance to the theatre, but maft effectually keep it cool, and render the firft gallery equal to any part of the house for hearing and feeing. The feats in both galleries, and in the pit, are raised fix inches higher than the feats of the old Theatre. A convenience which must be very fenfibly felt by the fpectators. The boxes are encreafed, and are built upon the ftage as far as the space formerly occupied by the fide ftage doors, which now ftand behind the curtain. They are elevated confiderably higher than formerly, and built on fuch a plan, that even in the fide boxes the spectator will not only command a full view of the ftage, but of the whole audience. The boxes are divided by Corinthian pillars, white, with gilt fluting and ornaments, which alfo fupport the green boxes and first gallery. In the front of each box hangs a curtain of crimson drapery, and the linings are of the fame dye. This choice of colour is judicious, as it must reflect a chearful complexion upon the audience. At the back of the front boxes feveral other boxes are erected, of a new construction, each being detached; and the entrances are now fo fituated, that no inconvenience whatever arifes from opening the doors. The front of the boxes and galleries, which in the old Theatre were almost ftraight lines, in the new Theatre form fegments of circles, fo that at prefent there are none of those corners in the galleries from whence it was almott impoffible to fee the exhibition on the ftage; each of thefe circles, and the fronts of the upper green hoxes and flips, conftitute most elegant balustrades, with cornices remarkable for the elegance of their lightnefs. The fronts of the lower green boxes are pannelled white, with cornices and feftoons of flowers gilt. The roof over the ftage reprefents a clear fky; that part of it which goes over the Theatre is divided into pannel work of crimson and white, with a large ventilator over the centre of the pit. The entrances are alfo improved; that to the fecond gallery being now feparated from that to the upper gallery. The Houfe was uncommonly crowded, and their feafon commenced with An OCCASIONAL PRELUDE. The Prompter and his friend come forward, and have a short converfation on the subject of the new changes in the Theatre. This dialogue has a great deal of nervous writing and comic fentiment. A Mr. Squint comes in, who has determined to leave his trade as a haber dather, and turn dramatic poet.-The Promp ter returns him a farce which he had prefented to the house, as being unfit for reprefentation, which fo exafperated him, that he refolves to go to a Society of disappointed Authors, and join them in their indifcriminate attacks on all pieces good and bad that thall be offered to the public. The scene changes to this Society, and prefents an English, Scotch, Irish, Welch, and French author met in Congrefs to deliberate on the best means of deftroying the hopes of writers. The Irishman alone is drawn poffeffed of justice and generofity. The audience were difpleafed with the cenfure which was by this means thrown upon whole countries, and particularly with the character of a Scotchman. We are forry that a piece, which otherways was fraught with juft fentiment and good wri ting, fhould have been fo defective in this refpect; and we fincerely believe that the author, in the prefent instance, has erred through a popular mistake. The clamour continued for a confiderable time, during which it was impoffible to hear the conclusion of the piece. On the 25th the Maid of the Mill was performed, with confiderable alterations, and fome new fongs written by Mr. O'Keeffe, and compofed by Mr. Arne. The alterations chiefly confifted of judicious compreffions of the tedious dialogues, and fo far we think it was amended; the new fongs were very well received. A new vocal performer, Mr. Brett, appeared in the character of Giles, and juitly met with diftinguished applause. Account of the important REVOLUTION in IRELAND. R. Grattan, speaking for the appellant expreffed himself: I think, that in order to eradicate every caufe of jealousy, the final judicature fhould refide in the Peers of Ireland-'tis the conftitution, and must be restored. The incompetence of the Lords, to decide in questions of law, is no argument: the lay Lords in both kingdoms are incompetent, but the law Lords are competent or why are they judges? Nor can we fear any abuse of this power: the Lords will exercise with caution a power restored to them by the virtue of their countrymen. Befides, let us recollect, that to restore this power is a matter of neceffity, for we are this day called upon to settle the Conftitution; and if we leave any thing unfettled, if we leave any right unaflerted, we are refponfible.The people of England are indifferent: I have letters which affure me of it, and that the repeal of the 6th of Geo. I. was oppofed, becaufe that repeal was not in toto. This is the opinion of Lord Mahon, an Englishman, who understands good sense and the conftitution. I therefore fuppofe England meets our wishes, and that the new Miniftry intend to remove every subject of dispute, and throw themselves on the fupport of the people; then how can we fupport them, if any caufe of difpute be left? And furely this is caufe for future oppofition. England has faid, ftate your grievances; and fhall we neglect to do fo? If we do, and if there thall be general meetings of the people, and of the Volunteers, to complain of grievances, after what is intended for a final adjustment, would not England think that there was fomething infatiable in the Irith people? Let us then restore the appellant jurifdiction, for if that part of the act be not repealed, they leave not only the claim of British fupremacy ftanding against us, but they leave the exercite of the power exifting. It must be repealed in reto, and if repealed, their original right re verts to the Peers of courie. Thus you must you mean to remove the claim and exercife of a British fupremacy, or you must divest them of it by Irish Act of Parliament. But will the Peers fubmit to this? Will the people fubmit? Will you expofe administration to the odium of fuch an Act? It cannot be the illuftrious Houfe of Peers, compofed of perfons of the first learning, talents and abilitics-aged men, matured in wifdom-afpiring youth, animated to glory, never will reft in the fashionable infignificance to which they have been reduced. No; they fhall fit in the feats of their anceftors, difpenfing juftice to their country. England can have no objection to this-he is not fo ambitious of the trouble of being an arbiter. refore Lords to their privilege, if Mr. Grattan now again returned to the Mutiny-bill and Poyning's law, which he con demned in the most forcible manner. He faid, that he wished to become the decided friend of the Duke of Portland, for removing every cause of complaint from Ireland, and that these were the terms on which he was ready to fupport his government. A repeal of the 6th of Geo. I. including a restoration of the appellant jurisdiction to the Lords of Ireland. An abolition of the unconftitutional power of Privy Councils. And a repeal of the Mutiny-bill. A Judge's bill he refrained from mentioning, as he had heard it was returned. Mr. Grattan then mo.ed, which was Refolved Nem. Con. That an humble Addrefs be prefented to his Majesty, to return his Majesty the thanks of this Houfe for his moft gracious matfage to this Houfe, fignified by his Grace the Lord Lieutenant. To allure his Majefty of our unshaken attachment to his Majesty's perfon and government, and of our lively fente of his patern i care, care, in thus taking the lead to administer content to his Majesty's fubjects of Ireland. That thus encouraged by his royal interpofition, we thall beg leave, with all duty and affection, to lay before his Majefty the caufe of our difcontents and jealoufies; to aflure his Majefty, that his fubjects of Ireland are a free people; that the Crown of Ireland is an Imperial Crown, infe,erably annexed to the Crown of Great Britain, on which connection the intereft and happiness of both nations effentially depend: but that the kingdom of Ireland is a diftinét kingdom, with a parliament of her own, the fole legiflature thereof; that there is no body of men competent to make laws to bind this nation, except the King, Lords and Commons of Ireland; nor any other Parliament which hath any authority or power of any fort whatever in this country, fave only the Parliament of Ireland. To affure his Majefty that we humbly conceive that in this right the very effence of our liberties exifts; a right which we, on the part of a'l the people of Ireland, do claim as their birth-right, and which we cannot yield but with our lives. To affare his Majefty, that we have feen with concern, certain claims advanced by the Parliament of Great Britain; in an act entitled an act for the better fecuring the depenpency of Ireland. An act containing matter in irely irreconcilable to the fundamental rights of this nation. That we conceive this act, and the claims it advances, to be the great and principal caufe of the difcontents and jealoufies in this kingdom. To aflure his Majefty, that his Majesty's Commons of Ireland do moft fincerely with that all bills which become law in Ireland, fhould receive approbation of his Majefty under the Seal of Great Britain, but that yet we do confider the practice of fuppreffing our bills in the Council of Ireland, or altering the fame any where, to be another juft caufe of difcontent and jealoufy. To affure his Majefty that an Act, entitled an A&t for the better accommɔdation of his M jetty's forces, being unlimited in duration, and defective in other instances, but paffed in that shape from the particular circumstances of the times, is another caufe of difcontent and jealoufy in this kingdom. That we have fubmitted thefe the principal caufes of the prefent difcontent and jealouty of Ireland, and remain in humble expectation of redrefs. That we have the greatet reliance on his Majefly's wifdom, the mott fanguine expectations from his virtuous choice of a Chief Governor, and great confidence in the wife, aufpicious, and conflitutional councils, which we fee with fatisfaction his Majefty has adapted. That we have, moreover, a high tente and veneration for the British character, and do the.efore conceive, that the proceedings of this country, funded as they were in right, and tempered by duty, must have excited the approbation and efteem, instead of wounding the pride, of the British nation. And we beg leave to affure your Majefty, that we are the more confirmed in this hope, inasmuch as the people of this kingdom have never expreffed a defire to fhare the freedom of England, without declaring a determination to share her fate likewife, ftanding and failing with the British nation. Mr. Brownlow feconded the motion. The motion paffed, without a diffenting voice, in that parliament which had, for the whole feffion, oppofed themselves to every measure of a fimilar tendency; and which, under the corrupt influence of the former Miniftry, had refifted the sense and wishes of the nation. The tranfport of joy with which this great and glorious revolution was received throughout the land, may easily be imagined; nor did it give difquietude to the liberal-minded part of the English people. The pride which had fo long fupported the unnatural and unjust reftrictions on the fifter kingdom, was now corrected by the experience of the difafters which fuch impolicy occafioned; and they were anxious to fettle the mutual relation between the two kingdoms, on rational and equal terms. The important queftion came on in the two Houfes of the British Parliament on the 17th of May, and was opened by his Majesty's two Principal Secretaries of State: in the Houfe of Lords by the Earl of Shelburne, and in the House of Commons by Mr. Fox. The speech of the latter our readers will find in the course of the parliamentary proceedings, at p. 142 of this volume. Both the Secretaries concluded their speeches with moving the following refolutions: "That it is the opinion of this Committee, that the act of the fixth of George I. entitled, An A&t for better fecuring the dependance of Ireland on the Crown of Great Britain, ought to be repealed." In the House of Lords, Lord Loughborough faid something in oppofition to the queftion, as conceiving the manner to be wrong; and declaved himself, at the fame time, to be difinclined to grant fo much. In the House of Commons there was no oppofition whatever. In both Houfes the queftion paffed with the fingle negative in the Upper, of Lord Loughborough. The following motion was then proposed and agreed to: "That it is the opinion of this Commi.tee, that the interests of the two kingdom's are infeparable, and that their connexion ought to be founded on a folid and permanent basis." The refolutions were reported the fame day, and adopted by the Houtes. A bill was afte.wards brought in, on the first resolution, went through the two Houfes without oppofition, and paffed into a law as thortly as the forms of Parliament would pe.mit. Thes the great question, which had so long dif tracted the kingdom of Irelaid, was fet led, hy which, in all likelihood, a convulfion was prevented. POETRY. |