found, To alleviate or soften fate's decree ? To fearless enter on that dark profound, Where life emerges in eternity? Wisdom, a rushlight vainly boasting power To cheer the terrors sin's first visit gave, Denies existence at that dreadful hour, And shrinks in horror from a gaping grave. O Christianity, thou charm divine ! That firmness, faith, and last resource is thine : With thee the Christian joys to lose his breath, [cay; Nor dreads to find his mortal strength deBut, dear in friendship, shakes the hand of Death, And hugs the pain that gnaws his life away. ON SPRING. LO, where the feather'd tribes appear, And see the early crocus studs And bids sweet fragrance rise; Rous'd by the oderous breath of morn, On spangled wings of Zephyrs borne, The swain forsakes his peaceful bed, For ruddy labours healthful glow, We sons of Commerce little know, Around his cot what tranquil scenes are shed. The tuneful herald of the morn For him proclaims the day; For him the blushing flowers are born, For him the forests spread their shade, The streamlet murmurs thro' the glade, Aud Spring calls forth her train. Small is the bliss that proud ones feel, Beyond the peasant's lot; Like flies, thro' summer months they reel, Thus vainly great, and idly gay, For me, when yonder hoary oak P Its leafy canopy shall spread, May I full oft the Muse învoke, Beneath its hallowed shade; 259 There on the Thames' fair bank untaught, Pour forth each simple native thought, Nor ask a nobler theme Than Nature and her works can give, To bid my name untutored live Beyond dull learning's dream. March 2. To SONG J. A. GRIMES. By J. A. HERAUD, Author "Tottenham," a Poem. THERE is a flower in Ocean's caves'Tis sweeter than any of our's— That blushes unseen beneath the waves, In the mermaid's inscrutable bowers. The sun of our heaven he'er shone on its hues But they in their coral beds are tended By spirits, that no one hears or views, Though of light and music blended! There is a love that is like that flowerIt dwells in the silent bosom, [hour, That never was blest by thy smile any Yet never hath ceas'd to blossom! Of Beauty 'twas born; by mind is it nourish'd, [vine: That made to itself that vision diWith the invisible thoughts of the heart it hath flourish'd, [shrine. Its shadows and sisters-its cradle and The flower of Ocean is blest where it bloometh, [see Nor pines for the day star it never may But the love of my bosom its altar con sumeth, [thee! For the form of the vision I worship in Dec. 30, 1819. **We give the following as a specimen of an intended new Translation of the Psalms, to be sung in Churches; of which more hereafter. EDIT. PSALM 1XXV. KING DAVID'S CORONATION. LORD to thee our praise ascendeth, While thy wond'rous works are skann'd Thy great NAME thy Church defendeth, "Not far off, but nigh at hand *.” David, Lord, by Thee appointed O'er thy favour'd land to reign, Vows that, when he's "thine Anointed,” All true justice he'll maintain. Nor from East nor West proceedeth Pow'r to crown, or to dethrone; This th' Almighty sanction needeth, This, O God, is thine alone. Gracious Lord, thy servant strengthen, By thy sacred laws to reign; Israel's peace, and pow'r to lengthen, Wrongs repress, a and rights maintain. See Jerem. xxiii. 23. HISTORICAL CHRONICLE. PROCEEDINGS HOUSE OF LORDS, Feb. 21. The Marquis of Cholmondeley presented his Majesty's answer to the Address of Friday, thanking their Lordships for their loyal Address, in which they had anticipated his Majesty's feelings, who received with satisfaction their Lordships' assurance of their readiness to adopt such means for expediting the business of Parliament as public exigency may require. The Noble Marquis also presented his Majesty's answer to the Address of Condolence on the Death of the Duke of Kent; and the Duchess of Kent's answer to the Message sent to her. In the Commons, the same day, Lord Morpeth appeared at the bar with the answer of the Duchess of Kent to the Address of Condolence which had been voted to her Royal Highness. On the motion of Mr. Brougham, after some observations from Mr. Vansittart, an Address was ordered to be presented to his Majesty, for "an account of the total produce of all funds at the disposal of the Crown, and usually deemed not under the immediate controul of Parliament, since the accession of his late Majesty distinguishing the money arising from droits of Admiralty, droits of the Crown, 4 and a half per cent. West India duties, Scotch revenue, and all other sources not hereinbefore specified." Mr. Bennet presented a petition from the inhabitants of Cape Breton against the incorporation of that island with the government of Nova Scotia. Lord Palmerston moved for leave to bring in a Bill to continue the Mutiny Act until the 24th of June. There would be no mention in the Bill of the numbers of the army, nor would any grant of mo ney be proposed. These questions would be left entire for the consideration of the new Parliament. Colonel Davies objected to continuing the large addition made last year to the standing army. Mr. Calcraft censured the arrangements made by Ministers, by which those months usually appropriated to Parliamentary business would be lost, and the ensuing session extended into the autumn. Lord Palmerston said, the increase of the army had met with general approbatiou. Mr. Hume thought the military establishment much too great. Mr. Croker said, the Marine Mutiny Bill would be for the same limited period as that for the army. The motion was IN PARLIAMENT. then put and carried; and soon after the Bill was brought in, and read the first and second time. The Bill for suspending the writs for Barnstaple, &c. was read a second time, after a discussion of some length, in the course, of which Mr. Brougham expressed an opinion, that the House should interpose to procure some mitigation of the sentence on Sir M. M. Lopes, now 68 years of age; and Sir J. Yorke recommended Mr. Swanu to the clemency of the House. It having been resolved that the House should go into a Committee of Supply, the Speaker was about to leave the chair, when Mr. Hume wished to know what provision was intended to be made for the Queen. Lord Castlereagh declined going into any details as to the subject just noticed, until the attention of Parliament was regularly called to it. Till that time should arrive, he had only to re-assert that the high person in question would experience no additional difficulty or personal em barrassment, in consequence of the event which had occurred. There was not the smallest ground for apprehending that she would be exposed either to harshness or inattention. A vote was about to be proposed to meet the necessary charges on the Civil List for a limited period. Mr. Tierney said, that after what had taken place it was time to speak out openly and honestly. An order in Coun. cil had been issued for umitting all mention of the Queen in the church service. This implied some ground of suspicion. But was nothing further to be done? He could not agree to grant any portion of the public money to a person labouring under a heavy cloud of suspicion. Either the King had been betrayed, or the Queen had been insulted. Rumours were afloat which, if true, proved the Queen unworthy to sit on the British throne; but they might be mere idle calumny, and in that case Parliament was bound to maintain her in her rights and privileges. It had been even rumoured that an examination had been lately held, with the view of criminating her. Thus they found her name omitted in the liturgy, her pri vate conduct made the theme of public conversation; and then they were told that nothing ought to be said of her in Parliament, because it was intended to provide her with an adequate allowance, her claim on the Consolidated Fund having ceased. Mr. 1820.] Proceedings in the late Session of Parliament. Mr. Brougham said, it was quite new to him to learn that any parliamentary recognition, and much less any mode of speaking in Parliament, or that any ceremonial of the Church was at all essential to make out the title of a Queen, or to viudicate the rights appertaining to that character. According to his understanding of the Constitution, she who was the wedded wife of a King regnant, was eo ipso Queen Consort; and that her claim to that title was as indisputable as that of the King himself. It was not the less so because she was prayed for in no Liturgy, or because her name appeared in no Order of Council; or because no Addresses either of Condolence or Congratulation were presented to her. As little could she be affected by the Noble Lord preferring to call her a high personage, rather than to describe her by the title to which she had succeeded. How then could he agree with his Right Hon. Friend, who, on account of these things, which appeared to him (Mr. Brougham) to be so immaterial-which appeared to him to be "trifles light as air," considered her situation as doubtful and uncertain. If, by limiting her expences, the Crown should be pleased to pay 35,000l. a year to her Majesty, Parliament, he thought, ought not to interfere; but he must at the same time state distinctly, that he was wholly unacquainted with any grounds of suspicion. He refused his ears to all such rumours; as long as she was the King's Consort, he knew and should treat her only in the character of Queen Consort. He was wholly ignorant of any inquiries that had been instituted; he listened not to their reported insults; nor would be suffer his mind to receive any sinister impressions. But if a charge should ever be brought forward, he would deal with it as became an honest Member of Parliament; and he would endeavour to do justice between the parties most concerned; though, God knew, they were not the only parties that were concerned. Until that moment, big with importance, with unspeakable importance to the par ties, with an importance of which those who were ignorant of the case could form no conception-until, he repeated, that moment should arrive, his lips were sealed. (Hear.) The House might, however, in justice, recollect -ia justice to her whose character had been so freely dealt with on one side, and whose name even had been suppressed on the other, and without forming any premature opinionthat throughout the whole of her past tribulation, she had never been slow either to meet or to repel accusation! It was not, therefore, too much to give credit to her now, for having the same alacrity in undertaking, and the same facility in 261 making good, her defence. Never was there a question in which temper and moderation were so indispensable; the voice of party ought to be extinct: for no man could calculate the consequences which might follow. Lord Castlereagh approved of the delicate mode in which the last speaker wished to have the subject treated for the present. All that was now in contemplation was to prevent any inconvenience from the lapse of the pecuniary provision already made for the illustrious personage in question. The House having gone into the Committee, grants were voted of 600,0001. for army services in Great Britain, and 200,000l. for similar services in Ireland. Mr. Vansiltart then moved, that "there be granted a sum not exceeding 200,000. towards satisfying such pensions, payments, and allowances, as would have become payable out of the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, or out of the Civil List, in case the demise of his Majesty had not occurred before the 5th of April." Mr. Tierney could not conceive how, under a vote so worded, the Queen was to be provided for. She could not receive one single farthing, except from the charity of Ministers; for the annuity was granted to her Majesty as Princess of Wales, and Princess of Wales there was none. He did not know, therefore, unless they introduced the word Queen, how her claim could be recognised. A The motion was then agreed to. sum was also granted for certain extraordinary expences of the Civil List, and 2,000,000l. for paying off outstanding Irish Treasury Bills. In a Committee of Ways and Means, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Vansittart, that 7,000,000. should be appropriated from the unapplied aids of 1819 to the service of the current year. The second reading of the Insolvent Debtors' Bill and the Conveyancers' Bill was postponed to this day fortnight; by which they are lost for the present Ses sion. On the motion of Mr. Maberly, accounts were ordered relative to the revenue of last year, and to the deficiencies in the Consolidated Fund, which, he said, was in arrear to between 10 and 11 millions. Mr. Vansittart contended, that the Consolidated Fund was only in arrears eight millions, and that had been partly made up. Mr. Maberly reminded the Chancellor of the Exchequer that there were, besides, 3,000,000. due to the Bank. Mr. Vansittart obtained leave to bring in a Bill to continue such Bills as would expire before the meeting of next Parlia ment ment. He did this on the precedent of an Act of the 1st of Geo. II. He then brought in the Bill, which was read a first and second time, and ordered to be committed to-morrow. Feb. 22. The Bill for suspending the writs for Barnstaple, &c. went through a Committee, and after some opposition from Sir C. Hawkins, was read the third time and passed. The Report of the Committee of Supply was brought up. On the vote being read for 200,000l. to discharge pensions, &c. chargeable on the Consolidated Fund and Civil List, Mr. Tierney wished to know how, under this vote, provision could be made for the Queen. Mr. Vansittart said, the vote would authorize the Treasury to continue to pay the annuity granted to the Princess of Wales. Mr. Tierney said, the grants expired with the life of the King. There was now no Princess of Wales, and if it were intended to renew to her Majesty the allowance which she had as Princess of Wales, it should be explicitly so stated in the vote. Mr. Vansittart replied, that the annuity would be payable to the individual who, notwithstanding her change of political situation, would, under the vote of the House, retain a personal interest in the annuity. Mr. Tierney repeated his objections to the vote as it now stood, and continued"I know the Right Hon. Gentleman must not mention the word Queen." (A laugh.) Mr. Vansittart said, That which was formerly granted to the Princess of Wales will now be payable to the Queen, and to no other person." (Hear.) After some further conversation (in which Mr. Hume and Sir R. Wilson supported the view of the question taken by Mr. Tierney, and Mr. Lushington contend. ed, that if the Queen's name were introduced, so must those of all the other parties whose annuities were continued,) the resolution was agreed to. On the question for going into a Committee on the Expiring Laws Bill, Lord Althorp moved an instruction for leaving out the Insolvent Debtors' Act, from which so much inconvenience had arisen to creditors, that he thought it should be suffered to expire. Mr. Vansittart thought, with all its errors, it would be better to continue it until the meeting of the new Parliament, than to revert to the old system, which was universally condemned. Sir R. Wilson concurred in what had fallen from the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The motion was then negatived. Feb. 23. Mr. Vansittart, with the leave of the House, brought in a bill "to indemnify such persons in the united kingdom as have omitted to qualify themselves for certain employments." The bill passed through all its stages. In a Committee of Supply a grant of 7,000,000%. was agreed to, for paying off Exchequer Bills. HOUSE OF LORDS, Feb 24. Lord Lauderdale objected to the pecuBiary grants made by the House of Commons, without any view to an Appropriation Act, by which the expediency of such grants would come under the consideration of the House of Lords. He concluded with proposing three resolutions; the first set forth the few money votes of the Commons; the other two were as follow:-Resolved, That the Commons House of Parliament, informed by his Majesty's Message of the intended Dissolution of Parliament, have, in these resolutions, attempted to appropriate money to be paid for services subsequent to the dissolution, which can only legally be effected by an Act of Parliament appropriating the supplies voted; and that they have further, in a most unprecedented manner, assumed the power of providing for, and authorizing the payment of certain pensions and annuities, subsequent to the dissolution of Parlia ment, which by law are declared to be at an end. Resolved, that, under these circumstances, we feel it our duty to declare, that, though we regard these proceedings as derogatory to the privileges of this House and of Parliament, yet we are induced, by a sense of the state in which public business is now placed, to forbear from any immediate proceedings, and to declare that we will concur in indemnifying those who may pay money, or otherwise act under these resolutions, which we must nevertheless deprecate, as threatening the subversion of the best and wisest principles of the Constitution of our country." The Earl of Liverpool was not unwilling to meet any fair proposition on the sub- ́ ject, for removing the scruples of the Noble Earl, if he gave up parts of the resolutions which could not seriously be intended to be pressed. Before their Lordships could agree to resolutions censuring the other House, they must be assured that there had been a departure from the usual practice, but no such thing bad been shewn. He would therefore propose, that, after the first resolution, words should be inserted, stating in effect that this House was induced, in consequence of the state of public business, to acquì• ́ esce 1820.] Proceedings in the late Session of Parliament. esce in the payments voted by the House of Commons, though no Act of Appropriation had been preferred,, or had come before them. After some observations from the Marquis of Lansdown and Lord Donoughmore, the resolutions, as proposed to be amended by Lord Liverpool, were agreed to. Lord Lauderdale presented a petition from the Mayor and Aldermen of Barnstaple, praying to be heard by Counsel against the Writs Suspension Bill. His Lordship made a motion, accordingly, which being, on a division, carried in the affirmative by 12 to 11, it was ordered that counsel should be heard to-morrow. Feb. 25. The order of the day being read for the second reading of the Writs Suspension Bill, Lord Carnarvon moved for discharg ing the order for the hearing of Counsel, intending, if that should be carried, to move for a suspension of standing orders, that the Bill might go through all its remaining stages to morrow. Lord Liverpool and the Lord Chancellor strenuously opposed the disfranchising, the borough in question without evidence. The Marquis of Lansdown and Lord Grosvenor supported the motion; and the latter, in urging the expediency of Parliamentary Reform, took the opportunity of again expressing his unqualified detes tation of the crime recently perpetrated in France, and of the atrocious conspiracy against the lives of his Majesty's Ministers. Lord Lauderdale opposed the motion, and moved that the further discussion of the subject should be postponed to this day fortnight. This amendment was, on a division, carried by 22 to 11. In the Commons, the same day, Mr. Hume detailed the cruel treatment of the master and crew of the brig Charles, of Aberdeen, by the Governor of Teneriff; and concluded with moving for several papers relative to the transaction in question. After some conversation, in which Mr. Brougham, Mr. C. Hutchinson, Mr. C. Forbes, and Lord Castlereagh joined, Mr. Hume withdrew his motion. In answer to a question from Mr. Knox, Lord Castlereagh stated, that it was not intended to renew the Irish Insurrection Act, it being hoped that the measures taken by gentlemen of the country, supported by the troops and by the police, would have the effect of repressing the dis turbances occasioned by the Ribbou-men. HOUSE OF LORDS, Feb 28. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, the Marquis Camden, and the Earls of Liverpool and Westmorland, having taken their seats on the 263 Woolsack, as Royal Commissioners; and the Commons, with the Speaker, attending at the Bar; the Royal assent was given by the Commissioners to the Mu tiny, the Expiring Laws, the Annual Indemnity, and the Irish Elections Bills. The Lord Chancellor then delivered the following speech: "My Lords and Gentlemen, "We are commanded by his Majesty to inform you, that, it is a great disap pointment to his Majesty, that on this first and solemn occasion He is prevented by indisposition from meeting you in per sou. It would have been a consolation to His Majesty to give utterance in this place to those feelings with which His Majesty and the Nation alike deplore the loss of a Sovereign, the common Father of all his people. The King commands us to inform you, that in determining to call; without delay, the new Parliament, his Majesty has been influenced by the consideration of what is most expedient for public business, as well as most conducive to general convenience. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons, "We are directed by His Majesty to thank you for the provision which you have made for the several branches of the public service from the commence. ment of the present year, and during the interval which must elapse before a new Parliament can be assembled. "My Lords and Gentlemen, "We are commanded to inform you, that in taking leaves of the present Parliament, his Majesty cannot refrain from conveying to you his warmest assurances of the sense which his Majesty entertains of the important services which you have rendered the country. Deeply as his Ma-: jesty lamented that designs and practices such as those which you have been recently called upon to repress should have existed in this free and happy country, he cannot sufficiently commend the prudence and firmness with which you have directed your attention to the means of counteracting them. If any doubt had>> remained as to the nature of those principles by which the peace and happiness of the Nation were so seriously menaced, or of the excesses to which they were likely to lead, the flagrant and sanguinary conspiracy which has lately been detected must open the eyes of the most incredulous, and must vindicate to the whole world the justice and expediency of those measures to which you judged it necessary to resort, in defence of the Laws and Constitution of the Kingdom." The Lord Chancellor then prorogued the Parliament to Monday the 13th day of March next. Bat ou the 29th of Feb. the late Parliament was dissolved by Royal Proclamation, and a new Parliament to meet on the 23d of April. |