1819.] one, upon his banker. Independently of all The Bank have exhibited a great de- The public mind has been consider ably agitated in consequence of the late acquittale at the Old Bailey sessions for uttering of forged notes. The question in itself is one of the highest importance to a commercial nation; but latterly, the concerns of the Bank have been so mixed up with politics, that it has not obtained that cool and dispassionate investigation which it so well deserves. It is the misfortune of this country, that political prejudices, feelings, and opinions, are so constantly excited in the minds of every that scarcely any question of public interest can arise where it is not viewed more or less through their medium. We seem to be almost incapable of abstract investigation upon such topics, and are more eager to ascertain what individual, or what body, will be thwarted by a deviation from ordinary practices, rather than what common good may be attained. For our own parts, we always disapproved of the conduct of the Bank in its prosecutions, the low and artful schemes which it resorted to, by first causing the parties to err, and then prosecuting to death by the very witnesses who had been the trepanners. Upon what principle of justice, we would ask, has the Bank abstained till they are compelled, from affording all the evidence in their power in cases of forgery? We would ask, what motives of delicacy can the Bank have had in not bringing forward, on every occasion, the same evidence that they have lately produced? The answer is clearly this, that they were convinced of its inefficiency to satisfy a British Jury. And we cannot help remarking the futility of sending their inspectors into court with an attempt to prove, that the water-mark is given to the paper while in liquid state, and at the same time one of them (Mr. Lees) declares, upon oath, that he never saw paper made in his life, and that he never saw an engraver or printer at work; and yet he shews, or attempts to shew, the difference betwixt impressions from stereotype and moveable type, when applied in aid of the copper-plate in working off a bank note.Nor are we more satisfied with the evidence of their signing clerks, as it appears to us nearly impossible that a man can swear to his signature at the foot of any instrument where his writing does not appear in the body of it, and more particularly the Bank clerks, who, from Tabor's confession, have a thousand notes per day to get through, and of course cannot take the same time to each signature as a merchant does to a check FRANCE. The French funds have sustained a considerable fall, in consequence of a new arrangement made with Mr. Baring respecting the new loan, by which it appears he only takes one half, the French government negociate the remainder.The allied sovereigns having quitted Paris, the inhabitants begin to turn their attention more immediately to their own concerns, and to the raising of funds for the current expenses of the year. The King's speech, which we subjoin, is eminently judicious and constitutional. "Gentlemen, "At the commencement of the last Ses sion, at the same time that I deplored the evils which afflicted our country, I had the satisfaction to give reason to consider the termination of them as near at hand. A generous effort, and of which I have the ed a fairer example, has enabled me to realnoble pride to say no other nation has affordise these hopes-and they are so. My troops alone occupy all our strong places: one of my sons, who hastened to join in the first transports of joy of our eastern provinces, has, with his own hands, and amidst the acclamations of my people, hoisted the French standard on the ramparts of Thionville: this standard now floats on all the territory of France. "The day on which those of my children, burden of an occupation of more than three who have borne with so much courage the years, have been delivered from it, will be one of the finest days of my life; and my French heart has enjoyed no less the end of their distresses than the liberation of the country. The provinces which have so painfully occupied my thoughts till this dat deserve to fix those of the nation, which has admired, as I have done, their heroic resignation. "The noble unanimity of heart and of sentiments, which you manifested when I called upon you for the means to fulfil our engagements, was a brilliant proof of the attachment of the French to their country, of the confidence of the nation in its King: and Europe has eagerly received France replaced in the rank which belongs to her. "The declaration which announces to the world the principles on which the union of the five Powers is founded, sufficiently shews the friendship which prevails among the sovereigns. This salutary union, dictated by justice and consolidated by morality and religion, has for its object to prevent the Scourge of war by the maintenance of treaties, by the guarantee of existing rights, and permits us to fix our eyes on the long days of peace which such an alliance promises to Europe. "I have awaited in silence this happy epoch, to turn my thoughts to the national solemnity, in which religion consecrates the intimate union of the people with their King. When receiving the royal function in the midst of you, I shall take to witness the God by whom kings reign, the God of Clovis, of Charlemagne, of St. Louis: I shall renew at the altar, the oath to confirm the institutions founded on that charter, which I cherish more, since the French, by a unanimous sentiment, have frankly rallied round it. "In the laws which will be proposed to you, I shall take care that its spirit shall be always consulted in order to secure more and more the public rights of the French, and to preserve to the monarchy the force which it must have to preserve all the liberties which are dear to my people. "In seconding my wishes and my efforts, you will not forget, Gentlemen, that this Charter, delivering France from despotism, has put an end to revolutions. I depend on your concurrence to repel those pernicious principles which, under the mask of liberty, attack social order, conduct, by anarchy, to absolute power, and whose fatal success has cost the world so much blood and so many tears. "My Ministers will lay before you the Budget of the expenses which the public service requires. The protracted effects of events, the consequences of which we have been found to bear or to accept, have not yet allowed me to propose to you a diminution of the burdens imposed upon my people: but I have the consolation to perceive, at no great distance, the moment when I shall be able to satisfy this desire of my heart. From this moment a limit is fixed to the increase of our debt: we have the certainty that it will diminish in a rapid progression. This certainty, and the loyalty of France, in the fulfilment of her engagements, will establish, on an immoveable foundation, the (Jan. 1, public credit, which some transitory cir cumstances, common to other States, had seemed to affect for a moment. "The French youth have just given a noble proof of love to their country and their King. The Recruiting Law has been executed with submission, and often with joy. While the young soldiers enter the ranks of the army, their brothers, who are released, remain in the bosom of their families; and the veterans, who have fulfilled their engagements, return to their homes: they are both living examples of fidelity, henceforth inviolable, in executing the laws. "After the calamities of a scarcity, the remembrance of which still affects my soul, Providence this year, lavish of its benefits, has covered our fields with abundant harvests. They will serve to revive commerce, whose vessels visit every sea, and shew the French flag to the most remote nations. Industry and the arts also extending their empire, will add to the sweets of general peace. To the independence of the country, to public liberty, is added private liberty, which France has never so entirely enjoyed. Let us, therefore, unite our sentiments, and our expressions of gratitude, to the Author of so many blessings, and let us know how to render them durable. They will be so, if, banishing every sad remembrance, and stifling every resentment, the French thoroughly persuade themselves that their liberties are inseparable from order, which itself rests upon the Throne, their sole palladium. My duty is to defend them against their common enemies: I shall fulfil it; and I shall find in you, Gentlemen, that support which I have never yet invoked in vain." Several meetings of peers have taken place, within the last few days, to consider and discuss the address to be made to the king's speech. It appears that in the meetings of deputies, every thing passed in simple conversation. SPAIN AND PORTUGAL. The disturbed state of Spain opens a wide field for political conjectures, but depend upon the firmness and decision at present all is uncertainty; all must of its governors. The public journals mention that new regulations are about to be circulated by the minister of the interior, for the organization and government of the police, which is to be rendered more complete than formerly, in consequence of the numerous bodies of banditti that have of late infested the great roads of this kingdom, robbing and maltreating all travellers. We learn from the Portuguese consul at Gibraltar, that the plague has made considerable ravages in the city of Tangiers. No less a number than 407 deaths have taken place in 20 days. The con 1819.J Funeral of her late Majesty. tagion rages with the same fury in the environs of the city, and had communicated itself to the population of Scila. The return of the Prince Royal of Portugal to Lisbon, with authority to administer to his father's European dominions, is speculated upon by the inhabitants of Lisbon, as an event at no great distance. The situation of Portugal since the departure of the royal family and nobles of the kingdom, is allowed on all sides to be the reverse of prosperous. It is positively asserted, that Count Abisbal, formerly General O'Donnel, has been appointed Captain-general of Peru and Chili, with the most extensive powers, and full liberty to act as he thinks necessary against the insurgents. AMERICA. The legislature of New Jersey have passed an Act prohibiting the exportation of slaves or servants of colour out of that state. The merchants and bankers of Quebec aud Montreal have signed a memorial to be presented to the government of England, complaining of the present regulations of the commerce of the colony, and praying that some permanent measures may be adopted relative to the trade with the United States. The (551 scarcity of money in New York is greater than has been remembered: this is said to be occasioned by the exportation of specie to the East and West Indies.The exchange with London is 2 per cent. discount, which must tend to bring. down the price of their exports. SOUTH AMERICA. Accounts from Chili state that Capt. Hickey, of his Majesty's ship Blossom, was proceeding to Columbia to deliver the settlement in due form to Judge Provost, who was authorised to act on the part of America. INDIA. The Mahratta war is now ended by the abdication of the Peishwa, who retires to Benares. The whole Mahratta empire is now in our hands, except a small territory given to the ancient dynasty, which is established in its own fortress of Sattarah, where for many years it has been shut up, the empire being governed by a faction, whose head assumed the title of Peishwa, or leader. The cholera morbus has made dreadful ravages in the upper provinces of Hindostan. The district of Gorruckpore alone has lost 30,000 souls. It has reached Bengal, and is extending itself across the Peninsula. FUNERAL OF HER LATE MAJESTY. Tuesday, Dec. 1, being the day appointed he caused about a third part of the largest for admitting spectators to the ceremony of room on the ground floor to be separated lying-in-state, all who were favoured with from the rest by deep black hangings of fine tickets were desired to be at Kew-palace be- cloth; and all external light being excluded, tween ten and four o'clock. That the num- several wax-lights were suspended round the ber of tickets was very limited was evident apartment, sufficient to show the objects to any person going down; for the carriages present, without dispersing the gloom. A on the road scarcely exceeded the ordinary portion of the space thus separated from the number, and on entering the funeral apart- rest was again railed off, and within this railments, the reason of the limitation was ap- way was exhibited to the spectators, as they parent. The house where the Queen died slowly passed before it, the coffin partially is not that which is known by the name of covered with a black pall of exceeding richKew Palace, but a detached building, which, ness; and at the head stood the royal crown. we believe, had never been intended for any Over the coffin was the coat of arms, richly purposes but those of a nursery, or of a re- embroidered on a silver ground: on each sidence for superior domestics. Such a ha- side, but at a small distance from the coffin, bitation, therefore must evidently have been were three immense wax tapers, in silver ill calculated for ceremonials of state: mag- candelabra; on each side, stood two gentlenificent decorations would merely have men dressed in deep mourning; and at the mocked the humble walls to which they foot were placed four mutes, two on each were attached, and a numerous suite of full- side, all in black, but dressed after the fadressed attendants would have occupied the shion of yeomen of the household, with dark whole space, to the exclusion of the only velvet caps snd black-handled halberds. object for which they could have been col- The spectators were received at the entrance lected the admission of persons to see hung with black, by several gentlemen, in them. The rank, however, of a Queen de- mourning habiliments. They next proceedmanded that some forms should be observed through a small passage very partially ed, and the manager, Mr. Mash, with great judgment turned his attention to produce a solemn effect, knowing probably that a grand one was impossible. With this view illuminated, and also hung with black, to the room of funeral state. They then passed slowly, and at their leisure, before the mortal remains of the late Queen; and after tra 552 Funeral of her late Majesty. versing another apartment hung deeply with black, and occupied by attendants in mourning, emerged from the melancholy gloom again into the open day-light. Wednesday being the day appointed for the mournful ceremony, the whole of the metropolis and its vicinity wore a most solemn appearance; All ordinary business was suspended, and the shops were closed, as well as many private houses. Mourning was nearly universal; the churches, which were nearly all open, were partly hung with black; sermons appropriate to the melancholy occasion were delivered; and the congregations were numerous, and in many places crowded. It was curious, as the dawn approached, to mark the vast numbers of pedestrians, male and female, who had set out on their journey to Kew long before day-break, in spite of the weather. Many of them were highly respectable in their appearance and in general aware of the difficulty of procur ing refreshment on their route, they carried small bundles, containing provisions. The morning was dark, cold, wet, and uncomfortable. It rained very heavily at five o'clock, and fears were entertained that the day would be most unfavourable. Towards seven, however, the heavens cleared upand the bright streaks which adorned the sky," gave token of a goodly day." Almost every person was dressed in full mourning, and the whole extent from Piccadilly as far as Kew, had the appearance of one moving mass of shadow. There was nothing of a bustling eagerness or tumult among the groupes, but each seemed to be under the impression that he was called from his home at that unseasonable hour for no other purpose than to discharge an important duty. The coaches, as they followed in succession, appeared to be only one chain, for a length of six miles, guided and propelled by the same impulse. As soon as each coach had taken its station in the almost infinite line, there was no escaping from it, at one side or another. The greater part of these vehicles were drawn by four horses each, and many were filled with elegant females and children, dressed in deep mourning. At eight o'clock, a detachment from the 19th Lancers made their appearance, slowly moving along the Windsor road, and ad vancing towards Kew. They were stationed in two bodies on Kew green. The road, immediately in the vicinage of the palace, was patroled, during the morning, by small parties of the same regiment. The detachment from the brigade of Guards in attendance during the lying in state, having been joined by the detachment from the Lancers, shortly after the hearse arrived at the palace, accompanied by a numerous train of undertakers' assistants on horseback, attended also by a party of Lancers. The officers of the several detachments wore crape sashes and long wide Jan. 1, scarfs; the drums were enveloped in black cloth, and though the small portion of the band that accompanied the Lancers had their instruments, there was not a single sound from any of them heard during the day. The guard immediately on duty, which was detached from the guards, as is usual on state occasions, appeared with white gaiters. At nine o'clock the bridge of Kew, and the approaches to it were so thickly filled as to make it impossible for those who came after that hour, to procure a sight even of the palace. Each carriage, therefore, as soon as it rode up, to the crowded scene, was freed from its horses, and instantly covered all over with spectators. The road which runs through the centre of Kew-green was lined on each side with carriages, while an immense assemblage of people almost filled the space behind. The path-ways leading to Kew-bridge, and on to the Star-and-garter were occupied by several rows of carriages-comprising almost every species of vehicle that has been constructed since the first invention of carriages. These were loaded, both inside and out, with spectators. The multitude extended as far as the eye could reach, in every direction; and not a window, wall or tree, from which a glimpse of the procession could be obtained, was untenanted. At Brentford, at Hounslow, from half a guinea to two guineas had been given for places at windows. In the whole neighbourhood of Kew, there appeared to prevail a sense of particular privation, as if the loss of her Majesty had been confined only to themselves. There is no doubt but she was regarded by this little circle in the light of a patroness-the great lady of the village. They knew her private virtues-and many of them were indebted for their comforts to her benevolence. They did not contemplate her in the diffuse relations in which she stood to the community; and if they did remember the exalted rank which she adorned by her domestic excellencies, it was only to endear her still more to them by a greater assurance of her condescension. It is surprising with what eagerness every little emblem appropr priate to the occasion was bought. There were numbers of Elegies, and Tributes to the memory of the late Queen," distributed amongst the multitude. A vast quantity of small medals were purchased during the morning, bearing on one side the head and name of her late Majesty, and on the other the dates of her birth, marriage, and death. The deserted appearance of the palace was extremely affecting. The windows were all thrown open, and every thing around the palace gave to the beholder the impression of some sudden suspense of life and its con cerns. At a quarter before nine an additional number of Lancers scoured the roads, and prevented the approach of carriages, except those belonging to persons who were to take 1819.] Funeral of her late Majesty. a part in the solemn ceremony. Soon after the larger body of Lancers, who had been stationed on the green, moved towards the palace. A part of them formed on each side of the road, obliging the spectators to fall back pretty close to the Thames. The remainder of this body was subdivided into two parties-one to precede and one to follow the hearse. It had been rumoured that the procession would move by way of Richmond; and the spectators stationed on Kew-green and its vicinity waited quietly until the fact should be ascertained: but the moment the advanced guard of Lancers wheeled to the left, as they emerged from Kew-green, a general 553 movement took place towards the bridge. An unusual eagerness prevailed to pass the bridge, and head the procession. In consequence a most tumultuous scene took place at the toll-house. The toll-keeper, after some coaches had passed, endeavoured to shut the centre gate, through which the people were rushing like a torrent; but he was immediately borne away by the stream, and had nearly fallen a victim to his indiscretion. At fifteen minutes before ten, the coffin, which had been laid in the state room the preceding evening, was placed on the hearse, and the procession moved forward in the following order: Two lancers mounted to clear the way. A Palace Constable on foot, dressed in state uniform, Eight Marshals (the late Queen's Servants) on horseback, in their state uniforms, with silk scarfs, A party of Lancers. mourning. The Hearse, Covered with black velvet, profusely decorated Assistants on horseback, in deep mourning. Assistants on horse back, in deep A party of Lancers. Seven private carriages of her Majesty, each drawn by six chesnut horses. The coachmen and footmen in deep mourning. The usual hammer-eloth of scarlet and gold was retained. The first six carriages had the Royal arms emblazoned on them, and the letters C, R. in a small cypher, inserted in a compartment above thein. The last had only the crown, surmounting the letters C. R. in a very large cypher. Assistants on horseback, in deep mourning. A detachment, consisting of 89 Lancers, in triple files, closed the procession. This was the whole of the procession at its starting it occupied in length about 300 yards. It was just six minutes (at the rate it travelled, about two miles an hour) in passing any given object. The procession having crossed the bridge, slowly wound to the left, and followed by an incalculable number of persons on foot, and an immensity of carriages, proceeded towards Longford. Her Majesty's private carriages were filled with the Ladies, Noblemen, and Gentlemen, who held the principal situations in her household. Kew consisted of a Field Officer's guard of 120 men, furnished by the 19th Lancers The escort of Lancers that accompanied the hearse from Kew was relieved at Longford by a similar guard from the Blues, as far as Datchet-bridge, where the procession was met by a Field Officer's detachment of 100 men, from the household brigade of cavalry, who escorted it the remainder of the jour Even the water under the bridges over which the procession had to pass was covered with boats, containing persons anxious to gratify their curiosity, but who were completely excluded by the crowds which thronged the parapets, and presented an impenetrable barrier to their prospect. A variety of interruptions necessarily retarded the advance of the procession in the narrow parts of the road, and the Lancers and Horse Guards who traversed the different villages, and threw out pickets on the main road, found frequently the greatest difficulty in securing an opening among the immense and diversified throng of which the crowd was composed. The military escort from NEW MONTHLY MAG.-No. 80. ney. The moment the procession entered Brent. ford, the crowds of people who came from London, accumulated so much, that the street was entirely blocked up, and the horses found some difficulty in moving forward. About eleven o'clock, the funeral passed through Brentford, and a little before twelve, it passed through Hounslow. At this time, multitudes of people who had left London early in the morning, to witness the melancholy spectacle, satisfied with what they had seen, were returning to town, and entirely filled up the footway, for the space of two or three miles. An equal number, however, went along with the funeral over Hounslow Heath, and seemed determined to accompany it as far as the place of its destination. By far the greatest part were on foot; among them were many VOL. X. 4 B |