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ings on society, as long as the fermentation is kept up which, in more than one country, inflames people's minds, by the perfidious arts of persuasion, and the criminal efforts of a faction which aims only at revolution and destruction: so long as the heads and instruments of this faction (whether they openly take the field against thrones and existing institutions, or whether they brood on their hostile plans in the dark, prepare plots, and poison public opinion) shall not cease to torment the nations with discouraging and lying representations of the sent, and fictitious apprehensions of the future. The wisest measures of the Governments cannot prosper, the best-meant plans of improvement cannot succeed, confidence cannot return, till those promoters of the most odious purposes shall have sunk into utter impotency; and the Monarchs will not believe that they have accomplished their great work, till they shall have deprived them of the arms with which they may threaten the repose of the world."

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The Madrid Papers, to the 7th of January, are in the highest degree interesting. The French Ultimatum, as it has been (we suspect somewhat hastily) called, was presented to the Spanish Minister on the 5th; and the notes of the Austrian, Russian, and Prussian Courts, were delivered on the following day. Having received these important documents, the Spanish Minister laid them before a body, consisting, as it is said, of all the heads of parties in the Cortes, and, though not exercising any definite functions, designated as a Council of State. An adjournment for 48 hours was agreed to, in order to give the character of perfect deliberation to the decision at which that assembly should arrive. At the meeting of the 9th, the unanimous determination of the Representatives to resist the demands of the Holy Alliance was plainly indicated; and on the following day the Ministers of Austria, Russia, and Prussia, demanded their passports. The utmost concord appears to have prevailed in the Cortes; Arguelles, the leader of the moderate party, declared himself ready to go all lengths in vindicating the independence of his country; and the sincerity of the orator's patriotism was promptly acknowledged by the democratic leader, Galiano, who moved that his rival should be placed on the Committee of Diplomacy appointed to advise the Crown with respect to the answer to be returned to the Allied Powers. The decision unanimously adopted by Congress, upon the proposition of Arguelles, is about to set in motion a force of 90,000 very good troops. This force is to be added to the 90,000 active militia and other corps.-On the evening of the 9th, the answers (or, as it seems, with respect to three of the notes, the resolution to give no answer) obtained the approbation of the Cortes.

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A Madrid Journal of the 13th contains the subjoined correspondence between the Ministers of Prussia, Russia, and Austria, and the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of the former demanding passports for their departure from Spain. Our confined limits prevent us from inserting the Notes of the Ambassadors of these respective Powers; but we copy verbatim the spirited Answers of the Spanish Minister, Evaristo San Miguel, dated Jan. 11. They are short and pithy.

Answer to the Note addressed by the Prussian Minister.-"I have received the Note which your Excellency transmitted to me under the date of the 10th, and, contenting myself with stating in reply, that the wishes of the Government of his most Catholic Majesty for the happiness of the Prussian States are not less ardent than those manifested by his Majesty the King of Prussia towards Spain, I transmit to your Excellency, by Royal order, the passports for which you have applied."

Answer to the Russian Nole.-"I have received the Note which your Excellency transmitted to me yesterday the 10th instant, and, limiting myself, for my sole reply, to stating that you have shamefully abused (perhaps through ignorance) the law of nations, which is always respectable in the eyes of the Spanish Government, I transmit, by order of his Majesty, the passports you desire, hoping that your Excellency will be pleased to leave this capital with as little delay as possible."

Answer to the Austrian Note.-" I have received the Note which your Excellency was pleased to remit to me, dated yesterday, the 10th, and having now only to say, that the Government of his Catholic Majesty is indifferent whether it maintains relations or not with the Court of Vienna, I send you, by Royal order, the passports which you have required."

In the sitting of the 12th, the Deputation of the Cortes proceeded from that assembly to wait on his Majesty with the message agreed to on the 11th instaut. On their return, General Riego, who was the President of the Deputation, stated that his Majesty had received the message with the greatest pleasure and satisfaction. A motion which had been made by Senor Munarriz, calling upon the Government to publish to all Europe, as speedily as possible, the motives of its conduct, was read, and the mover made a short speech in support of it. The Secretary of State rose, and said, that the Government had already declared to the Charge d'Affaires of Vienna, Berlin, and Petersburgh, that it would explain its sentiments and principles to all Europe. The Government would fulfil its promise, and he would say more — now employed in executing it. Senor Munarriz then withdrew his motion.

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The rumour of war in Spain has given rise to some animated debates in the Landaburian Society. At Madrid, in one of their recent sittings, Citizen Floran thus addressed the Assembly:

"Citizens! the rumour, which I shall never believe-the clamour that France has resolved to make war on us, is the subject of every conversation. France, divided by numberless parties, none of which is disposed to support a throne that has blasted the glories of so many years; France, which has not forgotten its triumphs and its misfortunes; this France it is which we hear has determined to declare war against us.(I am glad of it, exclaimed a voice in the crowd, and the words were applauded with singular enthusiasm.) My soul overflows with joy when I witness this noble enthusi

asm.

Your voices answer, in a manner worthy of you, to those rumours, propagated perhaps by the very men who are about to be buried in the ruins which they are endeavouring to prepare for us.

"Citizens! war is inevitable, and if France does not declare it, we shall! (Shouts of applause!) Base wretches! souls of women, under the garb of men! Hide your hearts for shame!The answer of the Spanish people proclaims to France, that millions of men are determined to sustain their liberties; and if Europe should come and take part in the struggle, it would only be the shout of union amongst all the people, and then those monsters would see themselves hurled from the seats of power which they so unworthily occupy, into the abyss which they deserve. The Spaniards, ever brave, will not be checked in their career by your threats. You will see old men expire cheerfully in the combat, while the young men are preparing to avenge them-you will see women resist the efforts of the barbarous invaders. Let France, then, come on-let the world come on-you will see them fly back in terror! If the thrones involve themselves in this mad and unjust war, they may hear the first cannon, but the authors of this invasion shall never hear the last one.'

He was followed by Citizen Morales, who spoke in the following terms:-" My heart beats with joy when I observe the enthusiasm of this heroic people. Would to God that this war should be declared! All France is our friend and ally, and wishes for nothing more anxiously than to come to the banks of the Manzamares (the river that runs near Madrid) to assist us. Our stupid enemies seem not to have yet discovered that this war will cause the ruin of many thrones.

"It appears that the French government have forgotten the unburied bones of Frenchmen which cover our plains; that they have forgotten the fierceness of the Spanish lions: let them come to us again, and they shall receive fresh proofs of our courage.-(Applause.)"

[Jan.

Citizen Poci ascended the tribune, and his chief object was to recommend the people to revive the song called "Tragala" (or swallow it), which was prohibited in Madrid during the late Ministry. This recommendation had such an effect that, before he came down from the tribune, the assembly joined him in singing the song.

A letter from Bayonne, dated Jan. 5, says: "Since the Descamisados think that France will not go to war with Spain, they, in the Landaburian meetings, indulge in the most insolent and scandalous declamations against the Congress of the Holy Alliance. In order to ridicule the Allied Sovereigns, they have caused to be stamped a caricature of the most outrageous description, and which is publicly exhibited in all the shops of Madrid.'

Spanish Mails.-The Spanish Government has acceded to the proposition for establishing a mail-coach from Madrid to Corunna, to be connected with a series of steam-packets, to sail from that port for Falmouth, according to the suggestions made by Sir John Doyle. By this means the letters from Madrid, which are regularly, when the mails come through France, fourteen days on the road, will now arrive in eight days; it being engaged by the parties who contract for the conveyance of the letters, that the voyage from Falmouth to Corunna shall not occupy more than four days, the remaining time being divided between the land journey from Madrid to Corunna, and that from Falmouth to London. new arrangement has given the greatest satisfaction to the merchants corresponding with Spain, who will now receive their remittances, in all cases, six days earlier than usual, and with much greater certainty than before, escaping the double danger of interruptions on the Spanish frontier, and of inspections by the agents of the French postoffice. The parties contracting with the Spanish Government are said to be men of long experience in the management of steampackets from Edinburgh to London, and therefore fully able to estimate how far the performance of the voyage by sea may be reduced to certainty.

This

A wild woman was lately found in Spain, in the Sierra de Montero, a desolate and rude range of mountains in the south. She had been seen occasionally by the goat-herds as they wandered through the mountains. The tale at length reached Cordova, and the authorities sent officers in pursuit of her. They succeeded in apprehending her, and she is now in one of the public hospitals in that city. She is not altogether destitute of understanding, nor ignorant of language, as she can say a few words, such as pepa (papa), gato (a cat), campo (the country), and some few others. When she was asked if she would like to return to the country, she nodded her head in the affirmative. She eats whatever is given to her, but prefers un

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cooked meats and vegetables. In the beginning, cooked victuals did not agree with her, and made her sick; she eats with an extraordinary appetite; her clothes appear as if they were placed on a stick; her arms were tied because she was ever tearing her shoes, in spite of every care that was taken to prevent her. Sometimes she has thrown off all her garments, and run out quite naked. She has been found, after an interval of two days, coiled up in a place full of mire; and at another time she has been discovered in the dunghill of the stable. She is about sixteen years old, of a short stature, a deep brown colour, protruding lips, and so rough as almost in appearance to resemble a wolf. She sleeps by day as well as by night, without any regularity, and generally coiled up. Sometimes her sleep has continued for twenty-eight hours successively, either in bed or on the ground, with or without covering. She keeps her eyes mostly closed, and when she is alone she cries for three hours together, and the next three hours she laughs. The Duke de Riva, the Constitutional Alcalde of Cordova, has taken a great deal of trouble to find out the origin of this female; but it has baffled all his inquiries, and he has given them up in despair. It is supposed she belongs to parents not less wild than herself, who are still undiscovered in the mountains.

PORTUGAL.

In the sitting of the Cortes, at Lisbon, on the 31st December, the reply of the British Government to a demand made by that of Portugal, as to the views entertained by our Government with respect to the present state of Europe, was read by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The British note briefly and frankly professed that our Government, not assuming the right to interfere in the internal concerns of an independent nation, did not feel that any change of constitution in a friendly state could affect the relations previously existing between Great Britain and that state; and that therefore "England will feel herself obliged to lend to this kingdom all the succour of which it may stand in need, as often as its independence may be menaced by any other Power, in any manner whatever.' This announcement was made and received with an exultation which will probably find an echo in England.

GREECE AND TURKEY. Accounts are received from Constantinople to the 11th December, and intelligence from Smyrna to the 2d January. The latter states that the corps of 7,000 Turks, which had advanced from Larissa to Salonica, with the intention of proceeding across the Gulf of Corinth, has been obliged to retreat, having first committed one of those atrocities by which this implacable contest is distinguished. They set fire to the town as soon as they saw themselves menaced by a superior force of the Greeks, computed at

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15,000 men. But it appears that the Greeks took revenge on the enemy in his retreat.

A letter from an officer in the squadron acting in the Mediterranean says that the cause of the Turks in the Morea is very unfavourable, all their troops being in the city of Corinth, about ninety miles distant from us, surrounded by the Greeks, and in the greatest distress for provisions, of which the Greeks have an abundant supply. Acts of the greatest cruelty are constantly practised. Not long since four Greeks had each a stake driven through his body; they lingered four days! For this, as many Turks were instantly served the same. Corinth is surrounded by dead bodies, in every state of putrefaction, from the one that fell yesterday to the first at the commencement of the warfare.

Constantinople, Dec. 10.-The Capitan Pacha had much difficulty in escaping from Tenedos. He was the first to cry out, sauve. qui peut! A vessel of the line, having on board the staff, the money for the payment of the fleet, and a division of troops, blew up. From the time this occurred the Greeks have been masters of the Archipelago.

It appears that the Turks are not yet satisfied with the sufferings of the poor Sciots. Trusting to the promises held out to them, and impelled no doubt by their necessities, some of the fugitives who escaped the massacre returned to their homes, where they have fallen the victims to a second outrage.

AMERICA, WEST INDIES, &c.

The Message of the America President, on opening the Congress, represented the finances of the United States to be in the most flourishing condition: after defraying all expences, 3,000,000 dollars will remain in the Treasury: and the whole receipts for the year are estimated at only 23,000,000. The manufactures are stated to be recovering from their depression after the peace; and the military and naval forces of the Republic are represented to be in the best state, and efficient for their purposes.

A Letter, dated Caraccas, Oct. 24, says: Chili, and Buenos Ayres, will have a most "The treaty between Colombia, Peru, important effect in Europe. Affairs in this quarter are assuming a better aspect; in a few months, with energy, the war may be terminated."Letters dated the 22d of October state, that for the last day or two a very heavy firing had been heard in the direction of the two armies-that of Portugal and that of Brazil. It was concluded, therefore, that an engagement had taken place, and the utmost alarm prevailed in consequence in Bahia, and the inhabitants were shipping all their valuables on board the vessels in the harbour. His Majesty's ship Creole was lying there, and the British inhabitants had put their treasures on board, under the protection of the captain.

DOMESTIC

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DOMESTIC OCCURRENCES.

INTELLIGENCE FROM VARIOUS

PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. According to various accounts, the internal trade of the country is very satisfactory The Cotton Wool wrought up in our manufacturing districts in 1822 appears to be more by one-fifth than in 1821. The Cotton Spinning Trade was never more brisk than it is at present. The Preston Chronicle says, in this town a new factory began operations about a month ago; the larger one, which was blown down, will be re-built with all expedition, and another is likely to be shortly commenced. There are also two large factories now filling with machinery at the town of Bury, in this county. The system of weaving by machinery, in the manufacture of strong calicoes, is gaining ground fast, and when brought into full play must create an immense demand for the coarser kind of yarns."

The prodigious importance of the Cotton trade at Liverpool, may be estimated by the following statement:

Import in 1822. Bags.

...290,883 ....136,167

From the United States.
From Brazil and Lisbon.
From the British Colonies on the
Spanish Main, West Indies, &c. 14,296
From the East Indies.........
10,219
From other Parts...
2,380

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Total............453,945 Forming an increase over 1821 of above 40,000 bags, and being nearly seven times the collective importation of all the other ports of Great Britain, including the metropolis. The weekly demand, for home consumption only, for the whole country, is now estimated at 10,600 bags, of which that of Liverpool reaches to 9,000 bags!

The quantity of Woollen Cloth manufactured last year exceeds that of any preceding year. Of raw Silk, the average annual consumption for the last three years has been 2,100,000 lbs. weight; whereas in 1812 the consumption of the French Silk manufactures was only 987,000 lbs. The export of Linen from Ireland in 1822 was of the value of 3,041,0191. being nearly 1,000,000l. more than in 1820. In Hardware and Cutlery we are above the danger of rivalry; and though the cessation of the war-demand for Iron has greatly reduced the price of the latter article, the export of it is increasing. If we advert to the consumption of articles of necessity and comfort among the people, we shall find a result equally satisfactory. Of Mall, it is believed that nearly 30,000,000 bushels were used last year. Tea, the great luxury of the manufacturing population, increases almost

[Jan.

every quarter. The average of 1820 and 1821 was 22,461,592 lbs.; that of 1822 exceeds 23,000,000 lbs. Of Sugar, imthe import in 1821 by 200,000l. In Toported in 1822, the value exceeded that of bacco, Snuff, Beer, Candles, Soap, and Spirits, the improvement has been progressive every quarter. But perhaps the most gratifying, and certainly one of the most rity of the lower classes of the people, is surprising proofs of the increasing prospethe fact, that on the 5th of January, 1822, there was standing, in the name of the Commissioners, on account of the Saving Banks of England only, the prodigious sum of Five Millions Eight Hundred and Seventyseven Thousand Pounds, accumulated within the short period of four years.

The inhabitants of the flourishing town of Bolton have come to a determination to erect a Town-hall; offices for the transaction of public business; places for the imprisonment of offenders; and a house for the residence of the deputy constable. The site of ground selected for the purpose is in St. George's-street.

The improvements which have taken place in Southampton during the last twelve months are surprising. One hundred houses have been built, and most of them occupied ; all the line of the canal, from Hanoverbuildings, has been taken in, and converted into gardens, houses, or for mercantile purposes-trees have been planted, to give the environs an agreeable shade in summer, and we anticipate farther improvements. The new lights on the Chamberlayne Pillar are now conspicuous at a great distance, and it is in contemplation to add another light, to make it a more distinguished object.

Petersfield, which, if it has not been going to decay, has experienced no improvement for some time past, is now, we are happy to say, once more rearing its head, by the removing of nuisances, the repairing of houses, and the building of new ones; and it is confidently anticipated that, when the bridge and causeway between Havant and Hayling Island are finished, Petersfield will once more become a flourishing town. It was formerly a very considerable manufacturing place for woollen cloths, at which upwards of one thousand persons were employed. It is expected that Hayling Island will prove a great source of attraction to fashionable company in the ensuing season, and great preparations are making for their reception.

As an instance of the improvement in the trade of Sheffield, the diminished assessments in support of the parochial poor, for the year 1820, amounted to 37,4671. 75. 8d.

1823.]

Domestic Occurrences.-Theatrical Register.

while that for the year just closed was only 20,1411. 2s.

Agricultural Distress.-No less than sixteen counties have sent requisitions to their respective Sheriffs, to appoint county meetings to consider the causes and remedies of agricultural distress.

Jan. 3.-A meeting was held at Norwich, which was convened, professedly, "for the purpose of taking into consideration the present state of agricultural distress, and the best means of relieving it." A series of resolutions, of sufficient strength of tone, and of a decidedly anti-ministerial temper, were proposed by Mr. Thurtell, and seconded by Mr. Coke, of Holkham; but they were promptly put aside, and a petition proposed by Mr. Cobbett, recommending, in plain terms, the overthrow of the Legislature, and the spoliation of the Church, was adopted with rapturous acclamation.

Jan. 17.-A meeting was held at Hereford, to take into consideration the distresses of agriculturists. Lord Somers presided as Lord Lieutenant. Three petitions were offered to the meeting; the first by Mr. Patteshall was merely practical, and wholly abstracted from political considerations; the second was what might be called a Whig petition; it was proposed by Mr. Charlton. The third was Mr. Cobbett's Norfolk petition. It was moved by its author in person; he was heard with more patience, but he spoke with less success, than at Norwich, and his petition was rejected with unequivocal expressions of contempt. Mr. Patteshall withdrew his petition, and Mr. Charlton's was carried without opposition.

Jan. 21.-A meeting of the inhabitants of the county of Somerset was held in the town of Wells, to take into consideration the propriety of petitioning Parliament on the subject of agricultural distress. Sir Thomas Lethbridge, Mr. Dickinson, and a number of persons of consideration were present. Mr. Hunt, who had previously addressed a letter to the inhabitants of the county, proposed a series of resolutions embracing Parliamentary Reform, but the Sheriff, considering that the object of the meeting was not for Reform, refused to put them. Upon an understanding that the High Sheriff would call a meeting for Reform on the Tuesday following, Mr. Hunt abandoned that subject, and his other resolutions were carried. The High Sheriff, however, refused to sign them on behalf of the meeting.

Jan. 22.-A meeting on the subject of parliamentary reform was held at York. The speakers were Lord Milton and Mr. Petre, who declared themselves recent converts to the principles of reform; Mr. W. Fawkes, who proposed the resolutions; and Mr. Stuart Wortley, who opposed the professed object of the meeting. Mr. Fawkes's resolutions, and a petition grounded on them, were carried.

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FONTHILL ABBEY.-Mr. Farquhar has been residing at the Abbey ever since October, and has at length finally arranged as to the portion of the furniture and books he intends to retain, and the other portion he has conceded to Mr. Beckford, either agreeably to the original contract or in consequence of subsequent purchase by Mr. Beckford. Several of the cabinet pictures which were in the Catalogue last year are included in the re-purchase. Much time and very serious contention has arisen in the division of the books and prints. One third of each Mr. Beckford retains. This gentleman's umpire was Mr. Clarke, bookseller, Bondstreet, assisted by Chevalier Franchi, Mr. Beckford's secretary. Mr. Farquhar employed Mr. Lawford, bookseller in Savillepassage, as his agent. Mr. Beckford is himself at Bath, and has not been at the Abbey these four months. Mr. Farquhar has resolved to bring the whole of the furniture to sale in August next, previous to which the Abbey and effects will be shown by tickets as before, but upon a more extended scale and with far less reserve. Eight or ten rooms at the Abbey, which were occupied as the private apartments of Mr. Beckford, and which are fitted up with superb and costly furniture, and the most rare and valuable books and prints, were not shewn to the publick. The whole suite, however, will be open in the spring, and there will be no reserve on any article whatever. The purchase money is not yet paid, in consequence of the delay which has unavoidably arisen in perfecting the title, which, of course, includes the houses and lands in Hindon and the neighbourhood, together with a moiety of the representation of the Borough. Chevalier Franchi still retains possession. The books and prints are not to be sold at present

THEATRICAL REGISTER.
New Pieces.
DRURY LANE THEATRE.

Jan. 4. A new two-act Comedy was introduced under the title of Simpson and Co. It is one of the most amusing and best drawn comic sketches that has been produced for some time-a real broad Comedy in miniature.

Jan. 14. A new Drama, in three acts, under the title Augusta, or the Blind Girl. It is evidently of foreign extraction. The story is romantic, and yet does not belong to the class of melo-drama. The piece was not very favourably received, as it was too deficient in incident.

KING'S THEATRE.

Jan. 14. This theatre was opened for the season, on Saturday the 11th inst.; and this evening a ballet, called L'Offrande aux Graces, was produced for the first time. The grouping of the corps de ballet reflected considerable credit on the new ballet-master, M. St. Aumer.

LONDON

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