We have always maintained that this suppression has produced great evil, by diminishing the capital of the small and middling traders; but we have always denied, and we still do the same, that it has produced the ruinous low prices, or been the principal cause of the distress. Holding this opinion, it is our duty to repeat it continually, so long as the delusion, to which it is opposed, exists. The proposition, that with unlimited is sues of bank notes, prices would be generally high, no matter what the supply of commodities might be, is in our eyes, one of the most fallacious ones that error could conceive. It is demonstrable, that if corn were somewhat dearer than it is, although still far cheaper than it was during the war, the weekly supplies of it at all the leading markets would be quadrupled by importation; and that the same cause would have the same effect on all commodities not under constant prohibition. Yet we are to believe, that such enormous additional supplies would not sink prices! It is only worthy the understanding of babes, women would treat it with the derision it deserves. The more able advocates of the theory we are combating, indeed, admit that prices are in a great degree governed by supply and demand, and this destroys their theory; for if the difference between one kind of currency and another, only make a difference of five or seven per cent in prices, it is of little practical moment. But the present currency-clamour denies that supply and demand have any influence, and imputes a fall in prices of forty or fifty per cent, solely to the difference in the kind of circulating medium. But censure is deserved by others, as well as by the members of Parliament. The agriculturists know that their low prices are the cause of their distress, and that these flow from the importations of foreign produce, and the terms on which such produce is admitted into the market; yet they are silent on the great cause, and blame only the currency! The farmer has been for some years his whole rent out of pocket, yet he believes that a reduction of rents will restore to him his profits. In his petition to the legislature he says, that a few pounds taken from his taxes will give him prosperity! The manufacturer and trader who are in a state of insolvency from the want of business and profits, proclaim to the legislature that they need nothing to make them prosperous save a petty reduction of their taxes! The labourer who is starving from the want of employment or inadequate wages, and who never tastes malt liquor, declares to the legisla ture, that he shall have abundance if malt liquor be cheapened, or if twopence or threepence per week be allowed him in decrease of taxes! Conduct like this in the constituents must naturally produce similar conduct in the representative. It cannot be accounted for on the ground of want of knowledge and intellect, or on any other than that of national insanity. Once more we say, What must be the end? THE REQUIEM OF GENIUS. BY MRS HEMANS. Thou art fled Like some frail exhalation, which the dawn Lifts still her solemn voice-but thou art fled ! No tears for thee!--though light be from us gone They that have loved an exile must not mourn O'er the dark sea. All the high music of thy spirit here, Unechoed round; And strange, though sweet, as midst our weeping skies, Might sadly sound. Hast thou been answer'd? Thou that from the night, Wert seeking still some oracle's reply, And from the past, Forth on the blast. To pour the secrets of Man's destiny Hast thou been answer'd?-thou that through the gloom, A cry didst send, From buried friend. And hast thou found where living waters burst? Speak! is it well with thee? We call as thou, On the departed! Art thou blest and free? Were silent all! Yet shall our hope rise, fann'd by quenchless faith, On morning's wings. THE EXHIBITED DWARF. BY THOMAS HAYNES BAYLY. I LAY without my father's door, And she who bore me turn'd away, A stranger saw me, and he bribed And yet, with bitter tears, I left The stranger seem'd more kind to me, He lured each slumb'ring talent forth, Too soon I learn'd the cause. I stood upon his native shore; In anguish I must still perform And bear inhuman scrutiny, And hear the hateful jest! And sing the song, then crawl away To tears instead of rest! I know I am diminutive, Aye, loathsome, if you will; But say, ye hard hearts! am I not With feelings sensitive as yours, I could not wound a fellow Man But some there are who seem to shrink Away from me at first, And then speak kindly; to my heart That trial is the worst! Oh, then I long to kneel to them, A hopeless wretch, who only asks THE TEA-TABLF. 'Tis there all meet, * The downright clown, and perfectly wellbred. BLAIR'S GRAVE. THOUGH all unknown to Greek and Roman song So high, that cent per cent its price was raised; So shall my verse the hovering Sylphs delight, And drink-but drink not through the helmet barr'd, Support their busts, their lovers keep aloof, The Muse is female, and may dare reveal What I have heard, and some, perhaps, may feel. King Arthur kept his court in Camelot, But the Round Table graces every cot. Not social there, where law or logic lours, Of lank-jaw'd students, and of sallow scribes. Nought save the knell of " midnight's dreary noon," Hie we from thence, nor shall we long delay For the dear comforts of domestic tea I grow too grave, and must in haste return (I often wonder what they find to say,) (Their light exchequers,) while their coffee cools. From fell Xantippe's emphasis of brass The smoking board sets all their tongues in motion, And every absent Miss is named a Bride. Where all must look, and think, and feel by rule, |