in the South of France has been just resolved upon by the French government. It is not to be wondered at, that, under such circumstances, very strong suspicions should be excited as to the real motive for these precautions; and, accordingly, private letters from France state, that the assemblage of this large body of troops upon the Spanish frontier is to prevent, not the physical infection pretended, but the moral infection of Spanish revolutionary principles spreading into the newly legitimated Southern provinces of France! France seems to be in a state internally to cause every apprehension in her present rulers. Even the capital itself is not exempted from occasional scenes of political commotion: during the last month a serious riot took place in Paris, in consequence of an attempt on the part of the law students to commemorate the anniversary of the death of the younger Lallemand, who, it will be recollected, met an untimely fate during a previous collegiate commotion. The authorities, from a foolish obstinacy in preventing the design, caused the gates of the cemetery of Pere la Chaise, to be closed, and posted a civil power in the neighbourhood. When the students appeared clothed in deep mourning, they were refused admission to the grave of their companion; they persisted in their ceremony; they were opposed with equal obstinacy; and the consequence was a charge of the gendarmerie, in which upwards of twenty of the students were grievously wounded, and eight taken prisoners. Some idea may be formed of the old regime feeling on the part of the Bourbons, from the following fact, which lately occurred in Paris. The Duke d'Angoulême thought proper, a short time since, to lead a procession of monks, nuns, and friars to Notre Dame, on the day of the fete dieu. His Royal Highness proceeded bare headed; and, unfortunately, during his progress a dreadful storm of wind and rain came on. The zeal of the Parisians was not proof against the elements, and they fled in all directions, leaving prince, priests, bishops, sisters and all, to propitiate the genius of the storms by banners, crosses, and prostrations: the rain

fell in torrents; and as the Royal pilgrim disdained the use of either umbrella or hat, he has been laid up, in consequence, ever since, with an inflammatory cold, which for a time, threatened very serious consequences! It is stated that General Berton has been arrested.

In Spain the Cortes have addressed King Ferdinand in language which it is impossible his Majesty could misunderstand. They declared to him, that "the Representatives of the Spanish nation, assembled in Cortes, are overcome with grief at the prospect of the evils which afflict the country; that the heroic nation is already fatigued by the continual attacks of wicked men, and by the blows they unceasingly aim at its wise institutions, and that the Cortes and the Constitutional King ought to tranquillize it, to secure its repose, to put an end to the conspiracies which are on foot, and to prevent the horrors which are meditated." They also complain, that the enemies of the country are "slowly proceeded against," that "the administration of some of the provinces is confided to inexperienced hands-to men not liked by the people," that "great criminals" are covered with "impunity," and "unjust and arbitrary prosecutions instituted." The Cortes have not confined themselves to mere verbal remonstrance; a considerable body of troops has been stationed in the neighbourhood of the cordon sanitaire; and by way of a significant hint to their neighbours on the subject, a decree has been passed, allowing the same pension to French refugees flying from prosecution at home for political offences, which they had previously granted to Italian patriots, flying from a foreign invader! France, on the other hand, affords a refuge to the mal-content Spanish legitimate refugees; and such is the spirit at present sedulously fostered by the governments of the respective countries.

A plot has been just detected at Lisbon, the objects of which were, the deposition of the King of Portugal, the nomination of the infant Michael as the head of the regency, the dissolution of the Cortes, and the establishment of a new legislative body-the Upper Chamber was to have been

composed of the hereditary nobles, and it was supposed, also of some of the higher order of ecclesiastics. It was also agreed upon to murder such members of the present Cortes and Ministry as were supposed to be favourable to the principles of freedom. It is mentioned, we hope without foundation, that a private secretary to a late British Commander in that country, has been deeply implicated in this base and sanguinary conspirazy. The discovery of the plot was said to have taken place in consequence of an application of M. Januario des Neves, the secretary just alluded to, to General Luiz do Nego Barello to join them. The General declined giving an immediate answer, and desired a further conference on the following day. The minister of justice was informed of the circumstance, and Januario unguardedly developed the whole plot before concealed witnesses; of course he was immediately apprehended. Many persons of high rank are suspected of a participation in this conspiracy, but the arrests hitherto have not been numerous. The affair will, how ever, doubtless undergo a full investigation.

The plague has broken out at Algiers, and incalculable numbers are stated to have fallen victims. The streets are represented as being in a state of silent desolation. While upon the subject, we may just remark, en passant, that a report was very current last week in London, that this dreadful disease had appeared in one of our hospitals; on an official investigation, however, it appeared, that there was no foundation whatever for the apprehension, and that the hospital was never so free from all contagious complaints as it is at present. Such rumours ought not to be lightly circulated amidst such an immense population as London contains-they may lead to the worst consequences.

to the House of Commons, the state of pauperism in four parishes, of the county of Sussex, appears to be as follows:-In the parish of Northiam, the total population, according to the last census, amounts to 1,353-paupers 636. Salehurst, population 2,121 paupers, 1,062. Burwarsh, popu lation 1,937-paupers 1,053. Mayfield, population 2,698-paupers 1,391! Thus in these four parishes the number of paupers equals half the amount of the entire population!

From returns lately made to Parliament it appears, that the debts of six thousand and ninety discharged debtors amounted to upwards of five millions and a half, while the amount of property received by the assignees was 1,4991. being, on an average, about four shillings from each estate! By an official return, also made

The Court of King's Bench has granted a new trial to the defendants in the case of "the King v. Conant, Collins, and Mills," who were lately convicted of a conspiracy, corruptly to refuse a license to Mr. Meek, a publican.

The sum received from the Committee for the management of the ball, lately given at the King's Theatre, for the relief of the distress in Ireland, amounted to 3,500l. It is singular enough, that this was the only one of all the attempts made to raise money by public amusement, for this charitable purpose, which has not failed. Mr. Kean's benefit, which, he so munificently appropriated to this fund, at Drury-lane Theatre, only netted 21-A clear proof, that proverbially benevolent as England is, she does not wish to blend any other pleasure with charity, except that which charity itself originates.

In the details of our domestic intelligence, Ireland still unfortunately takes a prominent and melancholy station. The accounts from that wretched country, transmitted to the City of London Charitable Committee, and but too well authenticated, are enough to fill the soul with horror.

In our Parliamentary report for the month, some questions of considerable importance appear. The first in the list is undoubtedly the discussion on the revision of the criminal code. This was brought before the House of Commons by Sir James Macintosh, in a very able and lucid manner. The learned gentleman stated some strong facts to prove that, in place of an improvement, the present criminal code of England was producing a rapid demoralization in the country, not to be ac

counted for by the increase of population. As an instance of this, the average of capital convictions from 1805 to 1809 was 381, and in the last five years it was 1260, or three and a half to one! Such a rapid acceleration of crime, was, he said, unequalled in the history of mankind, and supplied a strong argument against the rigour of our penal code. From 1811 to 1820, the English capital crimes were double those of France, or relatively to the population, five times as many; now they are about ten times the proportion. The English had 229 capital punishments; the French only six. The learned gentleman concluded by moving a resolution, pledging the House early in the next session, "to take into their most serious consideration the means of giving greater efficacy to the criminal law, by abating the present undue rigour of punishment; by improving the state of the police; and by establishing a system of transportation and imprisonment, which shall be more effective for the purposes of example, and the amendment of of fenders." The resolution was opposed by the Attorney General, but on a division, there appeared, for its adoption 117, against it 101, leaving a majority of 16 in its favour; a result on which we sincerely congratulate the country.

A long and animated debate took place on a proposition of Mr. Peel's to continue the Alien Bill in force for two years longer. On a division, there appeared, for the motion 189 -against it, 92-majority 97.

Mr. Goulburn introduced a Bill for the regulation of the Irish police into the House of Commons, which we consider it unnecessary to discuss now, as it is understood that it must undergo very considerable modifications in the committee. It was violently opposed, and the opposition was the more remarkable, as it came principally from Mr. Charles Grant, the Irish ex-secretary, a gentleman who generally votes with administration. He declared that it was an attempt to place all Ireland under an armed police-a gens-d'armerie; and

to impose upon the country a stipendiary magistracy, under the dominion of the Lord Lieutenant. The second reading was, however, carried by a majority of 113 to 55.

Mr. Canning's Bill, for the restoration of their seats in the House of Lords to Roman Catholic Peers, came on for discussion in that House, on Friday the 21st, where it was rejected by a majority of 42. The numbers were, for the second reading, 129-against it, 171. The Lord Chancellor headed the opposition to the Bill.

The Marriage Act Amendment Bill has passed the House of Commons, and is in a successful progress through the upper House.

Mr. James Daly having in the House of Commons withdrawn his promised motion upon Irish Tithes, Mr. Hume, who had abandoned a motion on the subject early in the session, took up the question on the sudden, and moved a resolution, pledging the House, " early next session to take into its consideration the state of the church, and the manner of collecting tithes in Ireland, with a view to making such alteration as might be thought fit ;" to this Sir John Newport moved an amendment, pledging the House to "substitute a commutation for the present precarious and vexatious mode of supporting the church establishment." This was met by ministers, with the previous question, which was carried finally, by a majority of 73, against 65. A meeting of all the great Irish landholders has since been held, at which they unanimously recommended the adoption of a commutation, in preference to any other remedy.

The following important resolution has been adopted by the Bank of England:

"Bank of England, June 20, 1822.

"Resolved-That all Bills and Notes approved of in the usual manner, and not having more than ninety-five days to run, be discounted at the rate of four per cent. per annum, on and after the 21st of June, 1822."

THE New Corn Bill has passed the House of Commons, receiving from Mr. Western his final malediction," on its third reading. That gentleman pronounced it to be calculated to increase every existing evil, and to add others to the miserable catalogue.

There is, in truth, not any party in the commonwealth, who will be satisfied with its provisions; for they recognize no one principle, yet partake of all. They impose a duty, which, should importation be resorted to, will, for a time, raise the price considerably (about 75 per cent.) above its natural level. This rise will, of course, press severely upon the manufacturing classes, and upon persons of fixed income; it will, in fact, have the effect of elevating the price of commodities to that amount above the continental price. But the worst of its pernicious consequences will be, that by its artificial regulations, a pretext will be set up similar to that afforded by the former Corn Bill, for the continued exaltation of rents, tithes, and taxes. Ministers will say to the complaints of the farmer; we have given you a duty of 75 per cent. which is intended to operate as a bounty upon your production, we have hazarded much by the protection of your interests at the expense of the public; we therefore have done all that we can do, and more than we ought to have done for your relief. The farmer, however, will perceive no effect, but occasional fluctuations, to him ruinous, because the casual elevation will be turned against him, and will, indeed, inspire hopes that cannot be realized; for, should the ports be opened, it is to be proved by figures, that the price of wheat (and other grain in proportion) will immediately sink to about 55s. per quarter, or almost 15s. less than the farmer, with all his present deductions, alleges it costs him to grow it. In the mean time, we have the assurance of Lord Londonderry, that the ports are not likely to open for three years, if at all, which assertion goes to establish the fact, that England grows enough, or more than enough for her own consumption; in which case, the consumption will probably fall to the continental average; because, if the supply be superabundant, as Lord Londonderry holds out, some part of our supply must be exported, and no one will export till he finds he cannot obtain so good a price at home as he can VOL. VI.-Mon. Reg.

abroad. Yet such is the nature of the provisions of the present act, that they pro mised the farmer a protection, which, at the very time of making such promise, the Minister declares is not likely to be demanded. Nothing indeed could be more delusive than the whole proceeding of the Agricultural committee, and for this plain reason; they have evaded, not met the difficulties of the Agricultural case. Ministers, who in point of fact appointed the committee, and framed the first report, saw only the imperative necessity of supporting the revenue, and they saw also this could not be done, if the question was fairly treated. In the endeavour, therefore, to conceal from public view the operation of taxation, the whole thing has been mystified and perplexed. No principle has been established. It has neither been stated that the farmer is to be protected, nor that he is not to be protected. A sort of middle term has been adopted, which will be found to strip the farmer of the property that remains to him, and plunge the proprietor hereafter into difficulties scarcely less severe, by making him the accessary and instrument of absorbing the operative capital of the occupier of the soil. The whole evil has originated in this sort of shift and evasion on the part of ministers. It was the same in 1815-1816 as now. It is quite clear that the admission of the principle of free trade is approaching rapidly we are recognizing it in almost every instance. How infinitely absurd then to impose restrictions, which, if they can act at all, will lay an addition of nearly cent. per cent upon the cost of subsistence, the real foundation of the price of all other commodities.

Yet so it is; and if called into action at all, the effects of this Bill will be again what they have heretofore been in the last Corn Bill, exaltation of price, and a subsequent ruinous depression.

But while these results are but too obvious there are good grounds for differing with the Marquis of Londonderry, as to the probable period when the provisions of the new bill may be called into action. These reasons, which we lately gave, are augmented by the present prospect of the harvest and of the country, particularly of Ireland, whose consumption of corn must, both this and next year, be augmented, unless famine be allowed to depopulate her towns and cities. The strong argument

a