into one act, the provisions of the act of 1795 relative to tumultuous meetings and debating societies, and the provisions of the act of the 39th of the King, which declared the illegality of all societies bound together by secret oaths, and of such as extended themselves by fraternized branches over the kingdom; and, lastly, the making of enactments to punish with the utmost rigor any attempt to gain over soldiers or sailors to act with any association or set of men, or to withdraw them from their allegiance.

Numerous petitions against the proposed restrictions on public liberty, and particularly against the suspension of the habeas corpus, were presented to the House of Commons; and they were opposed in every stage of their rapid progress by those members who usually advocated the privileges of the people; amongst whom Sir Samuel Romilly, Mr. Bennet and Sir James Macintosh were particularly distinguished: eventually, however, they passed both Houses.

The remainder of the session was marked by several attempts on the part of members of the opposition to diminish the expences of government, by the abolition of unnecessary offices and the reduction of exorbitant salaries; but the ministers uniformly resisted all concession on these heads, and with success, though on particular occasions the diminished strength of their majorities marked the feelings of independent men.

Mr. Grattan brought forward his annual motion on the claims of the catholics of Ireland, which was defeated by a majority of no more than 24. The corresponding motion of Lord Donoughmore in the House of Lords was lost by 142 votes to 90.

The resignation of the office of Speaker of the House of Commons by Mr. Abbot, on whom the Prince Regent immediately conferred the title of Baron Colchester, was notified to the House; and the Right Hon. Charles Manners Sutton was elected in his place.

A circular letter, addressed by Viscount Sidmouth, as secretary for the home department, to the lord-lieutenants of counties, gave occasion to some strong

animadversions in both Houses of Parliament. In this document, his lordship had stated, that as it was of the greatest importance to prevent, if possible, the circulation of the blasphemous and seditious pamphlets and writings now distributed in great numbers through the country, he had thought it his duty to consult the lawofficers of the crown, whether a person found selling, or in any other way publishing, such writings, might be brought immediately before a justice of the peace, by warrant, to answer for his conduct? That the lawofficers, after consideration, had notified to him their opinion, that a justice of the peace might issue his warrant for the apprehension of a person charged before him, on oath, with the publication of such libels, and compel him to give bail to answer the charge. Under these circumstances, his lordship desired to call the attention of lord-lieutenants particularly to the subject, and requested that they would notify such opinion to the chairmen at the quarter sessions, in order that magistrates might act upon it.

Earl Grey introduced the subject in the House of Lords, in a speech replete with legal information, in which he contended against the principle, that a justice of the peace might be called upon by any common informer to decide what was or was not a libel, and to commit, or hold to bail, upon his sole judgment, the party accused. He also held, that such a specific instruction to magistrates as to the way in which they are to construe the law, even supposing the law itself clear and undisputed, would have been a high offence against the constitution. Sir Samuel Romilly introduced the same subject in the House of Commons, and forcibly exposed the tyranny and oppression to which this unwarranted interpretation of the law, as he held it to be, would open a door; he also enlarged on the dangerous authority assumed in this instance by an officer of the crown. Further proceedings in the business were quashed by the usual majorities.

On June 3d, another message was brought from the Prince Regent accompanying fresh documents respect

ing the proceedings of the disaffected, which, as before, were intrusted to the examination of a committee of secrecy. In the report of this committee, after a statement that the continued existence of a traitorous conspiracy in the manufacturing districts of the north, was proved by the papers submitted to it, though the vigilance of magistrates and the measures of government had hitherto frustrated its execution, the following remarkable admission was made: that the evidence laid before the committee had been principally derived from the depositions and communications of persons who were either themselves more or less implicated in these criminal transactions, or who had apparently engaged in them, with a view of giving information to government that the evidence of both these classes of persons must be regarded with a degree of suspicion, and that there was reason to apprehend that the language and conduct of some of the latter might, in certain instances, have had the effect of encouraging designs which it was intended that they should only be the instruments of detecting. This employment of spies, which was openly avowed and defended by ministers, exposed them to much reproach both within the House and out of it; but on the new alarm which had been excited, parliament voted a fresh suspension of the habeas corpus, to extend to March 1st, 1818.

The total supplies of the year were estimated by the chancellor of the exchequer at 22,137,8087.; the ways and means, including Irish treasury bills for 3,600,000%. and exchequer bills for 9,000,000l., at 22,141,5371.

Parliament was prorogued on July 12th.

During the summer of this year, the turbulent disposition of the manufacturing class had exhibited itself in several of the northern and midland counties, particularly Lancashire, Yorkshire, Nottingham and Derby, in many atrocious acts of tumult and outrage; and it was found expedient to appoint a special commission to sit at Derby, for the trial of the delinquents. After a considerable number had been capitally convicted, the remainder pleaded guilty, under an intimation that

their punishment should be commuted; and when three of the most criminal had been selected as examples, the royal mercy was extended to the rest.

The Princess Charlotte, whose nuptials had in the last year afforded so much satisfaction to the nation, was announced to be in a situation likely to afford an eventual heir to the English throne; and seldom had the hopes and wishes of a whole people been so deeply interested in a similar event. At length, on November 5th, her Royal Highness gave birth to a dead son, and sunk herself from exhaustion early the following morning. This double calamity, -so sudden and so irreparable, -filled the whole land with mourning. The youth of the royal sufferer,—the state of conjugal felicity which she was understood to enjoy with the partner of her choice, -the domestic virtues which adorned her character, and, lastly, the consideration that she was the sole progeny in the second degree from the royal stock,-all conspired to embitter the sense of loss, and to render the public grief not only keen but lasting. Her remains were conveyed to the royal vault at Windsor on November 19th, with every solemnity suited to the melancholy occasion, Prince Leopold himself sustaining the afflicting office of chief mourner.

A.D. 1818.

YEAR OF GEORGE III. 58 & 59.
PARLIAMENT, 6 & 7.

Prince Regent's Speech.

Conduct of Ministers under the Suspension of the Habeas Corpus. Committee on Papers respecting the internal State of the Country. Treaty with Spain respecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade.-Bill of Indemnity for Acts done under Suspension of the Habeas Corpus. Grant for building new Churches.- Marriages of their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of Clarence, Cambridge, and Kent. Grants to them and to the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland debated. ·Amendments in the Regency Bill. - Disturlances among the Cotton Spinners.-Evacuation of the French Territory by the Allied Powers.-Death of the Queen.

Budget.

THE speech delivered by commissioners in the name of the Prince Regent on the opening of parliament, on January 27th, was calculated to allay the apprehensions of tumult and conspiracy which it had been the task of the administration during the preceding year to excite, and to inspire confidence in the resources of the country.

After adverting to the death of the Princess Charlotte, and the consolation which his Royal Highness had received under this afflictive stroke, from the sympathy of his people, it was added, that amid his own sufferings his Royal Highness had not been unmindful of the effect which this sad event must have on the interest and future prospects of the country;-an intimation of the marriages already in negotiation for the younger sons of his Majesty.

It was mentioned, that in pursuance of the recommendations of parliament, his Royal Highness had concluded treaties with Spain and Portugal on the important subject of the abolition of the slave trade; and the speech concluded with inviting the attention of parJiament to the deficiency in the number of churches,