odious laws which inflict discord upon our country, and have long been reprobated by all humane and liberal men, may be altogether abandoned, and give place to such healing and conciliatory measures, as shall restore to us, the benefits of domestic union and tranquility, efface even the remembrance of religious intolerance, and suffer not a vestige of it to remain in these islands. We therefore seriously do beseech this hon. house to repeal all and every the penal disabling and exclusive laws, which aggrieve and injure the Roman Catholics of these realms, and to reinstate them effectually in the full participation of all the rights and benefits of the laws and constitution of this empire, equally and in common with their fellow subjects, without any distinction of religious communion. After the Protestants withdrew, the Catholics voted thanks to their Protestant brethren, for their exertions on their behalf. PUBLIC OCCURRENCES. Died, on the 1st of this month, at Balfitore, Lydia the wife of James White, master of a boarding-school in that place. This amiable young woman, who had Hittle more than completed her 24th year, had most exemplarily discharged her several duties of life, and in the important relation of presiding over the domestic arrangements of a large school, by her tender and motherly care over the boys, had eminently gained their affections, and gave the strongest indications of future usefulness, if her life had been prolonged. But a rapid decline terminated her earthly prospects, and snatched her from her husband, and friends. It is not intended by a pompous display of her many amiable qualities to describe her character. Such a display would ill suit to delineate her modest and retiring virtues. She will long survive in the memory of her friends. Hers was, "A heart within whose sacred cell, She felt the wound, she left behind." She was endowed with a sweetness uncommon, and had a mildness in her manner, and in her countenance, that bespoke evenness and amiableness of mind. As she grew up, her mind was particularly turned to compassionate the poor, often visiting in the cottages, and procuring little matters which she could obtain for them, suited to their necessities. She had an extensive interest amongst all ranks, but particularly the poor." BLEACHERS PETITION. The progress of the bill founded on this petition has been thus announced by Sir S. Romilly SIR, Lincoln's-Inn, April 10, 1811. I have great pleasure in informing you that the bill to take away capital punishment for the offence of stealing from bleach greens, and to substitute the punishment of transportation for life, or a shorter time, at the discretion of the judge, in its place, has, together with some other bills for similar objects, passed the house of commons, and was yesterday carried up to the lords. What will be its fate there, I cannot tell; but as the bill was indebted for its favourable reception in the commons entirely to the petition which you transmitted to me, and as no notice can be properly taken in the house of lords of that petition, I think it right to mention to you that a petition to the lords to the same effect as that which was presented to the commons, would be likely to be attended with extremely good effects.-The bill is not to be debated for some time, probably not for a month, or perhaps/longer-whether that interval will allow of preparing and transmitting a petition, you can best judge. I shall endeavour to make the best use I can of the important facts mentioned by you, in your letter of the 9th of last month. I am, Sir, With very great regard, JOHN HANCOCK, Lisburn. At a meeting of the proprietors of bleach-greens, held in Lisburn, pursuant to public advertisement the 16th of April, 1811, John M'Cance, esq. in the chair. The following resolutions were unanimously agreed to: That this meeting has observed with much satisfaction, that through the zea lous exertions of Sir Samuel Romilly, and his enlightened endeavours to reform the criminal code, a bill founded on our petition to the house of Commons, has been carried through that house, which takes away the capital punishment for the offence of stealing from bleach-greens, and substitutes transportation for life, or a shorter time, at the discretion of the judge. That in furtherance of the plan apetition be presented to the house of Lords, similar to the one sent to the house of Commons. Which petition having been now agreed on, the committee formerly appointed, are desired to use endeavours to have it as fully signed, as the short time before the necessity of having it presented will ad mit, and that it be forwarded to the Marquis of Hertford, with a request that he may present it to the house of Lords. JOHN M'CANCE, Chairman. THE FOLLOWING IS A COPY OF THE BILL TAKING AWAY FELONY OF DEATH FOR STEALING FROM BLEACH-GREENS, AS IT PASSED THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. A Bill to repeal so much of an act, passed in the parliament of Ireland, in the third year of the reign of his present Majesty, entituled, “An act for the better regulation af the linen and hempen manufactures," as takes away the benefit of clergy from flens convicted of stealing cloth from bleaching grounds; and for more effectually preventing such felonies.Ordered by the house of commons to be printed, 7th March, 1811. Whereas by an Act made in the Parliament of Ireland, in the third year of the reign of his present Majesty, intituled, "An Act for the better Regulation of the Linen and Hemp Manufactures," it is amongst other things enacted, That no felon convicted according to the course of the law and statutes of that kingdom, of stealing of linen, hempen or cotton-yarn, or linen or hempen cloth, or cloth made of linen and cotton yarn, or any materials or utensils used in bleaching the same, above the value of five shillings, from or out of any bleachyard, buckhonse or workhouse thereunto belonging, whether the fact be committed by day or night, shall be allowed the benefit of clergy: And whereas the said Act has not been found effectual for the prevention of the crimes therein mentioned, and it is therefore expedient that so much of the said Act as is hereinbefore recited, should be repealed: And whereas it might tend more effectually to prevent the aforesaid crimes, if the same were punishable more severely than simple larceny; Be it therefore enacted, by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present parliament, assembled, and by the authority of the same, That so much of the said Act as is hereinbefore recited, shall from the passing of this act be and the same is hereby repealed. And be it further enacted, that from the BELFAST MAG. NO. XXXIII, passing of this act, every person who shall be convicted in Ireland, according to the course of the law and statutes of that part of the united kingdom, of feloniously stealing linen, hempen or cotton yarn, or linen or hempen cloth, or cloth made of linen and cotton yarn, or any materials or utensils used in bleaching the same, above the value of five shillings, from or out of any bleachyard, buckhouse thereunto belonging, whether the fact be committed by day or night, shall be liable to be transported beyond the seas for life, or for such term, not less than seven years, as the judge before whom any such person shall be convicted shall adjudge, or think fit to be imprisoned only, or to be shall be liable, in case the said judge shall imprisoned and kept to hard labour in the common gaol, house of correction or penitentiary house, for any term not exceeding seven years. BELFAST SUNDAY AND LANCASTRIAN SCHOOLS. The committee and teachers of the Belfast Sunday and intended Lancastrian daily Schools take the liberty of laying before the public a statement of the present condition of that Institution, as well with respect to the funds, as to the progress they have made in bringing to maturity the objects they have long had in view. By a rigid economy, and the unwearied perseverance of the members of this Association, the Sunday School has been carried on for upwards of nine years with great advantage to a number of poor children, who were precluded from all other modes of obtaining education, and this at the trifling average sum of £37: 10 per annum; of which £20 has been annually expended for the rent of a school-room; so that the instructing of nearly 300 children has been effected at the small annual expense of £17: 10. To give permanence to the institution and render it of that public utility required in such a town as Belfast, it has long been the ardent wish of the persons concerned, to accomplish the building of a suitable house, and to graft on their system that of a daily sehool on the Lancastrian plan. It is with great pleasure, therefore, they can announce that the liberality of the public last year has enabled them nearly to carry this object into effect, the house being now almost prepared for the reception of upwards of 500 children, to be taught in the Lancastrian manner, and the Sunday School, much increased in number, having been held in it for some months past. ry The managers, in corresponding with Mr. Lancaster, understand from him that it is his intention to visit this town in July next; and though they had requested him to send a young man here in May, for the purpose of opening and conducting the school, yet on the prospect of Mr. Lancaster's presence so shortly after that period, they have desired him to defer sending any person, until he comes himself, as they conceive the school may be commenced more advantageously while he is on the spot to organize the system, and arrange the details; but should any casualty prevent his coming so soon, the young man is to be sent in July at farthest. The managers have great satisfaction in stating to the public that the Sunday School is much increased, and well attended, since it has been removed to the new house; 255 applicants for admission, however, still remain on the books for want of accomodations in desks and forms; and no part of the lower story being yet finished they will not be able to admit all for sonte time. From several circumstances 'the build ing of the house was protracted till late last season; and the school-room which they then occupied being required by the owners, lest the school should be dispersed for want of accommodations, a circumstance highly dangerous to the institution, the managers were induced to hurry on the building, though by so doing they. were obliged to incur a considerable debt. For funds to liquidate that debt, to fit up the present school-room on the Lancastrian plan, and to finish and prepare one end of the lower storey for a girl's school, the managers have again to solicit the aid of a generous public, which has never yet been applied to in vain for the support of any useful institution. The committee and teachers therefore hope that the utility of both daily and sunday schools is so evident as to require little to be said on the subject, and that they avill be enabled speedily to mature and perfect their plans, which bid fair even Due, £422 14 0 £1104 1 61 On the books as attending scholars...266 The following persons are appointed to collect subscriptions --Dr. Tennent, Thos. McCabe, Wm. Thompson, Robt. Callwell, Wm. Stevenson, James M'Adam, Robert McGee, M. D. Edmund Burke, who may be considered as the chief of the bedarkeners, lamented the fall of chivalry. Were he now living, he would be saved the pain of bewailing the downfall of superstition. That it yet remains may be seen by the following advertisement. Unless there is a large stock of credulity in England, imposture would not go to the expense of announcing such a publication as the following. A NEW AND COMPLETE ILLUSTRATION OF OCCULT SCIENCES: Or, the scientific art of ascertaining fu ture events and contingencies, by the aspects, positions and influences of the beavenly bodies; comprehending the doctrine and influence of the stars, and the astrological pre-science of futurity, exemplified by the recent examples of things foretold by the author, which have actually come to pass; with rules and examples enabling every purchaser to do the same. Also, the calculation of nativities, and the art of foretelling the principal events of human life; with a general display of the art of magic, divination, exorcism, and familiarity of spirits; and the causes and prediction of the French revolution, which was foretold by the author in this work, and published six years before it took place. By E. Sibly, M. D. F. R. H. S. In 60 weekly numbers, at 8d. each, or in 2 volumes 4to. 21. 23.-This work was at first suppressed by act of parliament, under the idea that it discovered secrets dangerous to be known; but the act has since been repealed. MR. FINNERTY. York Hot !, Liverpool, Tuesday, April 16.· ́ At a meeting of the Friends of the Freedom of the Press, in the town and neighbourhood of Liverpool, held this day, pursuant to public advertisement, WM. Roscoe, esq. in the Chair: It was unanimously resolved, That we cannot regard without great apprehension the support and extension given of late to the dangerous maxim that Truth may be punished as a Libel; a maxim founded only on a fiction of law, and which, if adopted into general practice, will afford a protection to every kind of misconduct and abuse, and effectually destroy what yet remains of the freedom of the British Press. That it is the essence of a libel that it be "false, scandalous, and malicious,” and that none of these appellations can in common sense be applied to a charge which can be shown to be true. That to prosecute any person as a criminal by a mode of proceeding which deprives him of the right of manifesting his innocence, is so far from tending to the vindication of the prosecutor, that it may rather be considered as a presumptive evidence of his guilt. That Mr. Peter Finnerty having, in the course of the late proceedings against him, ably vindicated the right of a British subject to the freedom of the Press, is entitled to the warm approbation of every friend to his country. That in order to assist in defraying the expences incurred by Mr. Finnerty, a subscription be opened, and that the money to be collected be transmitted to the Committee for managing the subscription for the same laudable purpose in Westminster, to be by them disposed of in whatever manner may appear most beneficial to Mr. Finuerty That the following gentlemen be ap The subscription has not amounted to monstration of the public spirit of the counmuch. If we take this subscription as a detry, it does not stand high. Timidity kept back some; a want of example, others. Apathy to the principles of freedom made. many indifferent to the support of a sufferer in the cause of the liberty of the press. Thus a nation prepares for itself the yoke by its culpable indifference. The smiles of power will ill repay a nation for the loss of independence. Any, who wish to subscribe, are requested to give in their names during next month, as after that period, it is intended to close the subscription, and remit the amount to the Treasurer of the general subscription in London. Amid the many successful attempts to bear down the press, it is consolatory to observe that one Judge, at least does not join in the outcry. In a trial for a libel against the Proprietor of the Southern Reporter, Newspaper, at the late assizes at Cork, Baron Smith with much liberality observed, "I have only to add, gentlemen, that general animadversion ought not to be strained by ingenuity into private scandal ; but that perhaps in favour of the liberty of the press-rather the opposite to this straining should take place. There is, perhaps, scarcely any public animadversion, which may not by subtility be analysed into a censure on those individuals on whom the imputation can be showed by inference ultimately to fall." AGRICULTURAL REPORT. For several weeks past the weather has been dry and favourable for sowing.-The oats have been generally got into the ground in good order, and the farmers are now occupied in sowing barley and flaxseed, which are likely to get a good season from the late seasonable raius having nurtured the earth and brought on a pretty strong vegetation. The wheat crops continue to look well, except those sown very late, which appear thin, and a fine spring of grass is observable in the meadow, and pasture grounds, which has had the effect of lessening the demand for hay, that in the early part of the spring was selling high. The young clover and grass look extremely well, and promise a plentiful and early supply of food for store cattle.-Where rye-grass is sown with clover, the crops appear most forward, and if farmers would give a preference to that species of grass-seed, they would generally find their account in it-one bushel to an acre is a sufficient quantity where clover accompanies it. The markets continue to be plentifully supplied with oat-meal and potatoes at a moderate price, and grain of every kind has experienced no rise since last report. COMMERCIAL REPORT. Taz following description of a British merchant, which lately appeared in a Lon don periodical publication, is so well drawn, and developes so many useful commer cial maxims, and explains the difference between past and present times, that we are induced to present it to our readers, as an introduction to the present report: "His conduct and maxims in business, formed a striking contrast with those which before his death became so very prevalent, and which are now convulsing the com mercial system in this country. He never dreamed of getting rich by one adventure, or of risquing his own, and the property of others, for the purpose of making a sudden fortune. The British merchant of former times, was one of the most useful and important citizens of whom this island could boast; an agent, who connected different countries by the ties of interest and correspondence, making their commercial inter course of mutual benefit, and transmitting the productions of different climates to the inhabitants of all. He was the organ of communication, by which the abundance of one country, and the wants of another were made known, and he received from one its redundancies, and supplied the wants of the other. He acted upon solid informa tion, made no random adventures, and indulged in no airy speculations. Many of those who now call themselves merchants, purchase goods upon artificial credit or se curities, and without orders, without correspondence, without knowledge of mars kets, send them, under the direction of chance, to find purchasers in lands to them unknown. The consequences have been, that purchasers could not be found, debts could not be paid, and poverty and ruin have not only fallen upon themselves, but upon those who had confided in them. How different the old merchant and the new: "Look at that picture, and at this!" Patient industry, and decent care, were the only safe and honourable roads to wealth. He knew that he who would approach, as near as man is allowed to approach, the temple of happiness, must do it by measured steps; that wealth if procured, cannot be enjoyed except with moderation, and that whatever keeps the active and mental powers of man employed, bids fairest to secure and preserve his comfort. He, therefore avoided those desperate risques which create extreme anxiety, and confided in the regular, steady, and sober exertions of industry. He disliked all show and ostentation, not only because he regarded them as destructive of comfort, as exciting envy, and every malignant passion, but because he regarded with displeasure all that false appearance of respect and attention which are called forth by them. He saw, with disgust, our mercantile men attempting to rival, in appearance and expense, our nobility, and he wished each order in the community to keep its own place. The foolish fashion of writing every man, who is supposed to be in good circumstances, an esquire, was very offensive to him, and he often expressed his dislike of it, when addressed under that title. The constant benefactor of his own relations, he had also attempted to serve many young men, and advanced them considerable loans; but had so often been disappointed in what he thought his reasonable expectations of their good conduct and success, that at length his patience was exhausted in this way, and after much trouble, anxiety, and loss of property, he concluded it had become very difficult to yield effectual patronage to youth, from the great change which had taken place, in his time, in the habits of young men; he found them generally now without industry, and prone to expenses." The above representation may be considered as a picture of an old British merchant, drawn from life, and points out many of the defects of the present state of trade, both in Great Britain and Ireland. By a careful examination we may perceive in the sketch many things held out to be advantageously followed, and many things to be avoided. The difficulties arising from the system of commercial warfare are daily increasing. |