The subject of the increase of crimes was brought before the Commons on the 26th, by a petition from the Common Council of London for a revision of the criminal code, (noticed in our last number,) which was ordered to lie on the table. On the subsequent evening Lord Holland introduced the subject in the upper House, when Lord LIVERPOOL admitted that "crimes had greatly increased, and that an investigation into the cause was actually necessary" but his Lordship qualified this admission by imputing the cause to the conclusion of the war, which had thrown such a number of men loose upon the country. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER has announced that he does not at present see any thing which renders it likely he should have to resort either to fundings or raising a loan, for the service of the present year. At the same time he did not think it expedient to pledge himself positively upon the subject, because it was obviously a more proper course, that Ministers should possess a discretionary power to provide for the public expenditure in whatever way particular circumstances might point out as the most eligible. The education committees, the committee on the poor laws, and that appointed last year to investigate abuses of public charities, are to be renewed; and the powers of the latter considerably enlarged. THE KING'S ESTABLISHMENT.-The establishment at Windsor came under consideration in the House of Commons on Thursday the 4th instant. The sub ject was introduced by a message from the Prince Regent, announcing, that the L. 58,000 allowed as an income to her late Majesty had fallen in, and was applicable for other purposes. A grant had been formerly made to the King of L. 100,000 per annum for life; which, with the allowance to the Queen of L. 58,000, besides L. 10,000 for travelling expences, in her visits to Windsor, made altogether L. 168,000 per annum, on which Parliament has now to decide. Lord CASTLEREAGH announced the intention of Ministers to be as follows: In addition to the L. 58,000 reverting to the public by the death of the Queen, they mean to reduce his Majesty's annuity one-half, making the saving L. 108,000; subject, in the mean time, however, to a charge for annuities to her late Majesty's servants of L. 25,000 a-year ; so that the present saving to the public will be L. 83,000 per annum. The L. 10,000 allowed for travelling expences to her Majesty to be continued to the Duke of York. Mr TIERNEY objected to the grant of L. 50,000 for the support of his Majesty, on the ground that such a sum could not possibly be used in providing for his comforts in his present condition, and must therefore be expended for other purposes. He also objected to the L. 10,000 for travelling expences. In the end, these arrangements were ordered to be submitted to a select committee, when they will be more fully discussed. Some inquiries were made in the House of Commons, on the 5th instant, respecting the progress made in the equalization of weights and measures. It appears that a committee is sitting upon this subject; but nothing satisfactory is known with respect to the state of its labours. JANUARY. BRITISH CHRONICLE. WHILST the Duke of Montrose was at his seat in Scotland, a few months ago, he presided several times at a meeting in Dumbarton, having for its object the deepening the bed of the Clyde, five or six feet, in the neighbourhood of that place, with a view to reduce the level of Lochlomond in the same proportion and thereby increase the extent of land on its islands and shores. We understand some project of this kind is to be attempted early in the ensuing spring. 9. Suicides. A very general notion is entertained, that more suicides are committed in England than in other countries, and day after day the newspapers are filled with communications in which this is always assumed as an undoubted fact. The VOL. IV. cepted, the suicides amount to one-tenth of the rate of Reichenbach, which is no less than 1 in 62. 12. National Monument.-At the anniversary meeting of the Highland Society of Scotland, which took place this day, one of its members stated, that, “As the proposal for obtaining a national monument for the metropolis of Scotland, in commemoration of the glorious naval and military achievements of the late war, had originated in that highly respectable and useful society, and had received from it every degree of support consistent with the nature of the institution, it might perhaps be gratifying to its members to learn, that an object so much desired and deserved had not been abandoned by the country, but was in a fair train of being accomplished. That it was proposed that this intended memorial (to be, in point of splendour and magnificence, worthy of Scotland and of the 'occasion) should consist of a monumental church, of ornamental architecture, so designed as to bespeak its triumphal purposes, and that it should be commemorative, and serve as an hallowed place of record of the whole naval and military achievements of the late eventful war, in which the heroes of Scotia so eminently distinguished themselves in every quarter of the globe." 19. Public Whipping.-Yesterday, Christopher Greig Morris, William Burt, and James Wilson, were publicly whipped through the streets of Dunfermline, pursuant to a sentence of the High Court of Justiciary, on the 21st of November last, as noticed in our December Number, p. 576. That Court ordered the sentence to take place on the 18th of December last; but an application having been made to the Prince Regent to remit the public whipping, it did not take place till Monday last, the application having been refused. Such an unusual spectacle in that part of the country drew together an immense crowd of spectators; but no disturbance took place. ships, that the verdicts which we have given, on the evidence which has been submitted to us, will, when reported to his Majesty's Privy Council, be considered as only the decision of fallible men. That we are convinced that all sanguinary punishments have not only a tendency to destroy those principles of humanity which it is our duty to cultivate, but that their frequent occurrence renders the heart callous; one instance of which has been brought before us, of a youth having picked a gen tleman's pocket while the dreadful sentence of the law was recently carrying into effect on four unfortunate persons. We disdain all visionary ideas and principles. We live to improve, or we live in vain.' With these feelings and sentiments, we most earnestly request, that when these cases are reported, you will urge this divine injunction, 1 will have mercy and not sacrifice.'” The Secession in Scotland.-Measures are at present in progress, with every prospect of being brought to a successful ter mination, for effecting a junction between the two great bodies of Seceders from the national church, known by the designation of Burghers and Antiburghers. 25.-High Court of Justiciary.-This day, James Wilkie, flesher in Lasswade, was sentenced to 14 years transportation, for stealing sheep, from a field on the estate of Lord Viscount Melville, the property of John Plummer and Sons, fleshers in Dalkeith. The Lord Advocate, afterwards, in reference to the desire expressed by their Lordships to be informed of the result of the inquiry which he had directed to be made, concerning the occurrences at the execution of Robert Johnston, on the 30th of December last, represented that a precog nition, containing a full detail of the circumstances which had then occurred, and of the precautions previously adopted by the Magistrates of Edinburgh for duly carrying the sentence of the law into effect, had been taken before the Sheriff-depute of the county of Edinburgh, and laid before him Forgery of Bank Notes.-On the 15th that while, in point of fact, the result of a number of individuals were arraigned at the investigation as to discovering the perthe Old Bailey Sessions, at the instance of sons principally concerned in the riot and the Bank of England, for the crimes of ut- attempt to carry off the body of the crimitering or having in possession forged notes nal which had then been made, was unof the bank. The trials terminated yester- successful, notwithstanding every exertion day, when three of the criminals were sen- on the part of the Sheriff depute, he was tenced to death, and several others to himself able, after giving the matter the transportation. Of those capitally convict- most deliberate consideration, to form an ed, one named Thomas Dent or Dennison, opinion that there were no grounds for any only 15 years of age, was strongly recom- proceeding, at his instance, against the mended to mercy. On the conclusion of Magistrates of Edinburgh-that, in other the trials, the foreman of the London jury respects, he was confident such measures delivered into court the following paper, would be taken as the circumstances of the signed by all the individuals composing the case required, by those on whom that duty jury. Address of the London Jury was incumbent and that he had lodged a We, the London Jury, being on the eye of copy of the whole precognition in the hands terminating our most painful duties, most of the Clerk of the Court, for the informarespectfully wish to represent to your Lord- tion and satisfaction of their Lordships. The Court were of opinion that they were not called upon to avail themselves of the opportunity offered of looking into the precognition taken by the Public Prosecutor, and therefore ordered the Clerk of Court to return to the Lord Advocate the said precognition, sealed up as it was when lodged with them.-Lord Hermand suggested that the morning would be a more proper time for execution than the hour of three; upon which the Lord Justice Clerk observed, that if the Magistrates made any application on this head, the Court would certainly take the same into consideration. 30. Burgh Revenues.-The Magistrates of Glasgow and Paisley have recently published statements of the receipt and expenditure of their respective corporations, for the year ending Deecember 1817, which appear to have given great satisfaction to the inhabitants of these burghs; and this example, the first of the kind in Scotland, will likely be followed by the Magistrates of other burghs, who wish to secure the confidence of their fellow citizens. According to these statements, the revenues of Glasgow amounted, for that year, to L. 15,111, 18s. 5d.-the expenditure to L. 14,818, 18s. 5d. leaving a surplus of income of L. 293. The income of Paisley was L. 3010, 15s. 74d.—the expenditure L. 2867, 10s. 6d. leaving a surplus of L. 143, 5s. 1d. The present population of the burgh and suburbs of Paisley is 40,000. FEBRUARY. Melancholy Shipwrecks.-Several heavy gales, which prevailed during last month, proved very destructive to shipping, both on the east and west coasts of Britain. On the 22d a fine new ship, the Trelawny of 450 tons burden, from Glasgow for Jamaica, was wrecked on the Ayrshire coast, near Irvine, and 15 of the crew, besides four sailors of Saltcoats, three of them shipmasters, who generously ventured through a heavy sea to their assistance, were drowned.On the 25th the Leith and Aberdeen smack, Marchioness of Huntly, went ashore at Elie, in Fife, and three passengers were washed overboard. In the course of the same week, two other vessels, belonging to Aberdeen, were lost near that port, and five of those on board perished. Numerous other cases of shipwreck took place during the month, attended by a very great loss of valuable lives. 6. Aberdeen Election.-This day, the Second Division of the Court of Session took into conisderation a complaint at the instance of John Elphinston and William Mortimer; and also a complaint at the instance of George Gray, burgesses of guild of Aberdeen, complaining of irreguLarities alleged to have been committed in the course of the proceedings at the election of Magistrates and Councillors, which took place at Michaelmas last, under the Privy Council's warrant, when a majority of their Lordships delivered their opinions that the proceedings under the warrant had, with reference to the set of the burgh, been properly carried through, and that no legal grounds were stated in either of the complaints for the voiding the election which took place. Lord Robertson alone was of opinion that the election, as not having taken place in terms of the warrant, was null and void. An interlocutor, was then pronounced, dismissing both complaints, and finding the complainers liable in full costs of suit, in terms of the statute. 8. High Court of Justiciary.-On the 1st instant, Frances M'Cay, a genteel looking young woman, was found guilty of having in her possession forged notes of the Bank of England, knowing them to be so, and sentenced by the Court to 14 years transportation. This day James Martin, for various acts of theft, was, after a severe admonition, sentenced to transportation for life. This was a most aggravated case. The pannel at last spring circuit at Jedburgh was to have been tried capitally, but having petitioned the Court, he was banished from Scotland; but instead of going into banishment, he had continued in the border counties, committing his usual depredations.—He is a stout good looking young man, and was very well dressed. Gas Light.-On Saturday night, the whole of North Bridge Street, Edinbugrh, from the High Street to the Register Office, was brilliantly lighted with gas. The lights used are large batwings, introduced into spacious and elegant lanterns, elevated a foot or two above the level of the common Murder 25 7 25 68 16 11 25 Capital Offences. Acts passed in the 58th year of the Reign of Geo. III. or in the Sixth Session of the Fifth Parliament of the United Kingdom. ful Coin or Money in this Realm.-May 30. LII. An Act to continue until the 20th day of June 1820, An Act of the 52d year of his present Majesty, for the more effectual preservation of the Peace, by enforcing the duties of Watching and Warding.-May 30, LIII. An Act for enabling his Majesty to make further provision for his Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, and to settle an annuity on the Princess of Leiningen, in case she shall survive his said Royal Highness. May 30. LIV. An Act to grant certain Rates, Duties, and Taxes in Ireland, in respect of Fire Hearths, Windows, Male Servants, Horses, Carriages, and Dogs, in lieu of former rates, duties, and taxes thereon, and to provide for the payment thereof to the Collectors of Excise, and for the more ef fectual accounting for the same.-June 1. LV. An Act to continue until the 5th day of July 1819, Two Acts of the 54th year of his present Majesty, for repealing the duties of customs on Madder imported into Great Britain, and for granting other duties in lieu thereof.-June 1. LVI. An Act to make perpetual an Act of the 46th year of his Majesty, for granting an additional bounty on the Exportation of the Silk Manufactures of Great Britain.-June 1. LVII. An Act to amend an Act of the 55th year of his present Majesty, for granting Duties of Excise in Ireland upon certain Licences, and for securing the payment of such duties, and the regulating the issuing of such licences.-June 1. LVIII. An Act to defray the charge of the Pay. Clothing, and contingent expences of the disembodied Militia of Great Britain, and for granting allowances in certain cases to Subaltern Officers, Adjutants, Quarter-Masters, Surgeons, Surgeons' Mates, and Serjeant-Majors of Militia, until the 25th day of March 1819.-June 1. LIX. An Act for defraying until the 25th day of June 1819, the charge of the Pay and Clothing of the Militia of Ireland, and for making allowances in certain cases to Subaltern Officers of the said Militia during peace.-June 1. LX. An Act to continue, until three months after the ceasing of any restriction imposed on the Bank of England from issuing cash payments; the several acts for confirming and continuing the restrictions on payments in cash by the Bank of Ireland.June 1. LXI. An Act for the better accommodation of his Majesty's packets within the Harbour on the North side of the hill of Howth, and for the better regulation of the shipping therein.-June 1. LXII. An Act to continue until the 1st day of August 1819, two Acts of his present Majesty, allowing the bringing of Coals, Culm, and Cinders to London and Westminster.-June 1. LXIII. An Act to revive and continue until the 25th day of March 1819, an Act made in the 49th year of his present Majesty, to permit the importation of Tobacco from any place whatever. June 3. LXIV. An Act to make farther regulations respecting the payment of Navy Prize Money, and to authorize the Gove nors of Greenwich Hospital to pay over certain shares of Prize Money due to Russian seamen to his Excellency the Russian Ambassador.-June 3. LXV. An Act for repealing the duties of Excise on Verjuice and Vinegar, and granting other duties in lieu thereof, and for more effectually securing the duties of Excise on Vinegar or Acetous Acid. June 3. LXVI. An Act to empower any three or more of the Commissioners for the reduction of the National Debt to exercise all the powers and authorities given to the said Commissioners by any Act or Acts of Parliament.-June 3. LXVII. An Act to provide for the more deliberate investigation of presentments to be made by Grand Juries for Roads and Public Works in Ireland, and for accounting for money raised by such presentments.-June 3. LXVIII. An Act to repeal so much of an Act passed in Ireland, in the 9th year of the reign of Queen Anne, intituled an Act for taking away the benefit of Clergy in certain cases, and for taking away the book in all cases, and for repealing part of the statute for transporting Felons, as takes away the benefit of Clergy from persons stealing privily from the person of another, and more effectually to prevent the crime of Larceny from the person.-June 3. PATENTS LATELY ENROLLED. JEREMIAH SPENCER, of Great Jamesstreet, Bedford-row, Middlesex, for certain deseriptions of fire-grates; by which improvement the combustion of smoke is more easily effected. December 5, 1818. FREDERICK WILLIAM SEYFERT, of St John-street, Clerkenwell, Middlesex, watch-maker, for an improvement on certain descriptions of Watches and clocks. December 5. MARK ISAMBAUD BRUNEL, of Chelsea, Middlesex, civil engineer, for a new species of tin foil, capable of being crystallized in large varied and beautiful crystallization. December 5. JOHN WHITING, of Ipswich, Suffolk, builder, for a window-shutter. December 5. HENRY PERSHOUSE, of Birmingham, Warwickshire, factor, for a method of stamping pans for seals. December 10. JAMES BARRON, of Wells-street, Middlesex, brass-founder, for an improvement in the making of knobs, generally used on drawers, doors, and cabinet-furniture, and known by the name of drawer and mortice furniture knobs, or handles; December 10. DENNIS JOHNSON, of 75, Long Acre, St Martin-in-the-Fields, Middlesex, watch-maker, for a machine for the purpose of diminishing the labour and fatigue of persons in walking, and enabling them at the same time to use greater speed; which said machine he intends calling the Pedestrian Curricle. Communicated to him by a person residing abroad. December 22, |