49,623,1947. that for the year ending July 5, 1826, was 47,397,7261. being a diminution during the year of 2,225,4681. When we reflect that during the previous year the prosperity of the country was higher than had been known at any former period; while, on the contrary, the distress experienced in the last year is unparalleled in the history of our commerce, we find a very sufficient cause for the decrease, even had it been greater than it is; but when we remember that in addition to this, upwards of three millions of taxes have been repealed principally during the latter year, the deficiency certainly appears much less than could have been anticipated. This diminution has chiefly fallen on the Customs and Excise, where the depression of trade must of course be most sensibly felt, by lessening the quantity of imported goods: in the article of Stamps there is a great increase, as also in the Miscellaneous. It is evident the deficiency must be supplied from the Sinking Fund, which will consequently be this year diminished to nearly half the sum usually appropriated for that purpose. This at first sight appears startling, but our fears are lessened when we remember the low price of the funds, which will enable a smaller portion of money to purchase the customary quantity of stock, thus making the account approach much nearer to its usual balance. We do not, therefore, consider the defalcation so great as to afford any reasonable ground of alarm. THE ELECTION.-The elections have terminated as we had foreseen, and the cause of the Romancatholics has lost ground so materially, that it seems quite improbable that a bill in their favour VOL. VIII NO. VIII. should pass the House of Commons this Parliament. The majority of the members returned for Great Britain are decidedly opposed to any further concessions being granted them, and if they have so far succeeded in Ireland, as to secure the return of a few more members who are favourable to what is miscalled Catholic Emancipation, yet the violence of their conduct in many places, and the high tone they have assumed, must increase the number of their opponents, and cause them to be more strictly on their guard. But we must consider the disgraceful scenes which have been lately exhibited in Ireland, rather with regard to their ultimate consequences than to their immediate effects, and these we expect will prove more beneficial to the Protestant than to the Catholic interest. In an unguarded moment the popish priests have let fall the mask, and forgetting how many were watching their conduct on this occasion, have shewn us what they would be if they had power equal to their wishes. By their ill-timed interference in support of their own candidates, they have excited disgust and suspicion in the minds of many persons who formerly considered them as a harmless, if not a calumniated body of people. They have made it henceforth unnecessary to argue against the encroaching and domineering spi rit of the Church of Rome; we are furnished with a practical illustration of the abject dependence in which the Roman-catholic priests hold the members of their creed. They have proved their influence over the minds of their deluded people to be superior to that possessed by the landlord, hitherto considered as one of the strongest bonds in civil 3 т society; for they have not only persuaded the freeholders in numerous instances to vote against the bias of their inclinations, but they have obliged them so to do in direct opposition to their own individual interests, having, as usual, in order to effect their purposes, had recourse to promises of eternal rewards, and threats of bitter penances here and eternal misery hereafter. The violent outrages committed in the different towns where the contests have been carried on, are forcible proofs of the necessity of disfranchising the smaller freeholders, and laying the same restrictions on the privilege of voting in Ireland as are exercised in this country. We are struck with the impropriety of suffering a candidate to make four hundred freeholders to-night, who shall vote in his behalf to-morrow, and resign their tenures into his hands again on the third day. Where such a plan can be pursued, it is useless confining the right of election to the freeholders; the restriction can scarcely be said to exist even in name. The scenes which are enacted at an election are even to uninterested spectators of a nature peculiarly exciting, and by these pernicious practices the very lowest classes are brought forward to be actors in them. Their passions, uncontrolled by education or other incidental circumstances, are inflamed to a high pitch by a fancied notion of wrong, a false religion, and fanatic priesthood, and they are thus prepared for the commission of any crimes to which the feeling of the moment may prompt them. A reformation of this evil is become absolutely necessary. We do not wish to deprive our fellow-subjects of the right of citizenship, because they are already suffering under the greatest of all misfortunes, delusive notions of religion, but we wish to see such wholesome and salutary regulations made, as may prevent the repetition of that riotous conduct which has recently shocked all the best feelings of humanity. We confidently expect that the new parliament will speedily turn its attention towards this subject, and rest satisfied that the Irish elections, instead of weakening, will be found ultimately to have strengthened the Pro testant cause. MANUFACTURING DISTRICTS. Accounts from the north describe the distress in the manufacturing districts as greatly increased during the last fortnight; and rumours are afloat of a spirit of disaffection having made its appearance among the sufferers, particularly in Lancashire. We do not, however, think that much credit is to be attached to these reports; they are, at all events, greatly exaggerated. But dependence cannot be placed much longer on the patience and good sense of these poor people. Their distress is far too great to be effectually relieved by any private subscriptions, and calls imperiously on the administration to interpose some project for the purpose of ameliorating their condition. It is understood that Mr. Huskisson is engaged in devising some steps for the benefit of the Spitalfields weavers, whose sufferings are equally severe with those of the northern manufacturers. We have not learned what are his plans, but his measures must be prompt and energetic in order to meet the exigencies of the case, almost desperate, in a suitable manner. In addition to this calamity there is great reason to apprehend that our crops this year may prove scanty; the supply of wheat is, indeed, good, but the oats, which constitute such a considerable and important part of the food of our labouring classes, have, both in our own country and in Ireland, failed to a great extent. We also fear that the growth of the potatoes must be affected by the long droughts we have experienced this summer. RUSSIA. Part of a long Report of the Commissioners for examining into the disturbances in the Russian army has been received. As far as this fragment goes, it traces very precisely, and with more candour than might have been expected, the conspiracy which so nearly proved fatal to the interests of the present emperor. During the campaigns of 1815 and 1816, the Russians borrowed from their German associates the plan of the Ingerbund Confederacy, and with it the noble though dangerous principles by which that association was guided. The rumour that Alexander was about to dismember the empire, and erect a separate kingdom in Poland, tempted them for a moment to contemplate his assassi nation. The project was, however, abandoned; and a short space of time convinced them that their information was erroneous. In countries which are governed by arbitrary authority, men must not be too severely judged, if, from patriotic motives, they are led to form secret associations; and in the case before us, the conspirators appear (excepting in the single instance we have mentioned) to have acted in a manner worthy of their cause. It is gratifying, therefore, to observe that the offence of these misguided patriots is represented with great mildness in the Report, in which of course due attention is paid to the understood feelings of the emperor towards them. TURKEY.-Constantinople has lately been made the scene of a most alarming and sanguinary contest. Stimulated by their dislike to the new system of European discipline introduced by the sultan, the Janissaries commenced a furious insurrection, and had not the present sultan shewn a greater degree of energy than is often exhibited at the Porte, it is probable he would have suffered the same fate that many of his predecessors have experienced in similar tumults. Immediately on receiving the unwelcome intelligence, he caused the standard of the Prophet to be raised, and summoned all faithful Mussulmen to his assistance. He was speedily joined by a large number of followers, who, aided by a body of Asiatic troops, attacked the Janissaries, and driving them from street to street, after three days of dreadful carnage, succeeded in forcing the small remainder of the mutineers to submit. The privileges of the order have since been abolished; and as the sultan has seized this opportunity of completely disorganizing the corps, this dangerous insurrection will prove eventually beneficial to the nation at large, especially as their suppression has been sanctioned by every form of disgrace and execration which their superstition could devise. COLOMBIA.-Advices from South America mention a counter-revolution in this state. The extent or consequence of this movement can hardly be estimated until we receive more complete information. UNIVERSITY AND CLERICAL INTELLIGENCE. THE ORIEL GRACE CUP SONG. ORIEL COLLEGE.-The completion of the 500th Year since the Foundation of this College, was lately celebrated with great splendour by its Members. The following excellent JEU D'ESPRIT, written on the occasion by Mr. Hughes, of Oriel, has been printed by the Society. Exultet Mater Oriel in imis penetralibus, Nunc tempus honestissimis vacare saturnalibus; Sing then, All true men, From pulpit, bar or quorum, FLOREAT ORIEL In sæcla sæculorum! Quem mos delectet veterum, cui Oriel sit curæ, Man's race is short, alas! to the coffin from the nursery; Πίνωμεν πάντες ovr, Compotemus Ο Sodales, To the memory and renown of our Butlers and our Raleighs, And to sages yet unborn, insignissimis virtute, Who old Oriel shall adorn when our bones have done their duty; Sing then, etc. To our noble Head and Fellows true let's drink a health and blessing, Οἱ νυν δέχονται ημας εν και καλοις δεπάεσσιν ; Sit placens uxor singulis et res abunda domi; Per ora volet usque laus Edvardi* atque Bromi,† Sing then, etc. Old and famous is our college, Sirs, as Romulus and Remus ; Yesterday, Mr. Henry Duke Harington and Benjamin Wills Newton, of Exeter College, were elected Fellows of that Society. On the same day the Rev. Henry Brown Newman, M. A. was admitted Actual Fellow of Wadham College; Mr. John Foley, B. A. (of kin to the founder) and Mr. Zachary James Edwards, B. A. were elected probationary Fellows, and Mr. Edward Knatchbull (of kin to the founder) and Mr. Edward Cockey (of the county of Somerset) Scholars of that Society. July 15. Thursday week, Mr. Osborn, son of the Rev. Mr. Osborn, of Tiverton, was elected by the Trustees of Blundell's School, a Scholar, and Mr. Dinham, son of Mr. Dinham, also of Tiverton, an Exhibitioner of Balliol College. The two medals for composition and speaking were presented, the former to Mr. Tucker, son of the Rev. Mr. Tucker, of Morchard, and the latter to Mr. Dinham. On Saturday last, being the last day of Act Term, the Rev. the Provost of Queen's College, was unanimously re-elected Margaret Professor of Divinity. CAMBRIDGE. June 30. LL. D. The Earl of Liverpool. July 7. On Tuesday last, being Commencement Day, the following Doctors and Masters of Arts were created : D. D. Bland, Miles, St. John's College, Rector of Lilley, Herts, and Prebendary of Wells. Moore, William, St. John's College, Per petual Curate of Spalding, Lincolnshire. Walker, James, St. John's College, Episcopal Professor of Divinity in Edinburgh. Ward, William, of Caius College, Prebendary of Salisbury, and Rector of Great Horkesley and Alphamstone, Essex. LL. D. Curteis, William Calverly, Trinity Hall. Jermyn, the Rev. George B. Trinity Hall. Wylde, John, Trinity College, late Premier Judge at New South Wales. M. D. Fox, Henry Hawes, St. John's College. Seymour, Edward J. Jesus College. Wilson, John, Christ College. M. A. Airy, G. B. Trinity College. Crick, T. St. John's College. Cubitt, J. Christ College. Currie, C. Pembroke Hall. Dale, T. Corpus Christi College. Dicken, C. R. Corpus Christi College. Dickonson, H. Pembroke Hall. Edmonds, Robert, St. John's College. Faulkner, W. E. L. Corpus Christi College. |