more degrading and helpless cannot well be imagined. He exhibits just the contrary view of human life to that which Gay has done in his Beggar's Opera. In a word, Crabbe is the only poet who has attempted and succeeded in the still life of tragedy; who gives the stagnation of hope and fear-the deformity of vice without the temptation-the pain of sympathy without the interest-and who seems to rely, for the delight he is to convey to his reader, on the truth and accuracy with which he describes only what is disagreeable. POLITICAL PERISCOPE. The House of Commons having been summoued to attend his Royal Highness, the Speaker, accompanied by several Members, entered, and with the usual forms approached the Bar. The Right Hon. Gentleman held in his hand a Bill of Supply, and addressing the Prince Regent, said, that the House of Commons had attended his Royal Highness in pursuance of his commands, in the hope that their exertions in promoting the good order and happiness of the country, would meet his approba tion. They had, during the Session, the satisfaction to observe, that the measures they had pursued under his Royal Highness's direction, had effectually maintained most the general tranquillity; that the difficulties under which the country had laboured were vanishing, and that the revenue, in its most important branches, was progressively improving. They had particularly die rected their attention, under the recommendation contained in his Royal Highness's Speech from the Throne, to the necessity of increasing the places for the public worship of the Established Church, and for this purpose their grants were large and liberal. They had also manifested the utmost readiness to enable his Royal Highness to carry into effect the arrangements which had been concluded with the Courts of Spain and Portugal, for the more complete suppression of the Slave Trade. He now held in his hand a Bill for granting a supply towards the service of the present year, to which Panorama Office, June 27, 1818. EVERY true son of Britain will agree in the sentiment, that few events are of greater importance to his country, than a dissolution of Parliament. The opportunity it atfords for appealing to the sense of the publie is not trifling; while the uncertainty attending the choice of representatives in the popular branch of the legislature, and what may be the character, the conduct, and the political abilities of new members of the lower house, impart a consequence to the event, which cannot be misappreceived royal assent. hended, and which will assuredly be felt in the issue. The last act of the late parliament had somewhat rather peculiar iù it. Accident had discovered that, by a very easy mode-no other than purchasing 801. stock in the Bank of Scotland, under an obsolete Scotch Jaw, an alien might become naturalized, ipso facto, in an instant. This property he might transfer to another, at his pleasure; and thus might every rogue on the continent become, in a few days, an honest! Briton. It was felt that this evasion ought not to exist; a proviso was therefore tacked to the (now annual) Alien Bill, to meet this difficulty: as it was proposed in the House of Lords, the Commons thought the paragraph had the air of originating an interference in money concerns, and therefore rejected this addition; and chose to accomplish the same purpose by a new bill. This occasioned delay; so that the close of the session, which was intended for the previous Saturday, did not take place till Wednesday, June 10. His Royal Highness the Prince Regent entered the House about two o'clock, in the uniform of a FieldMarshal, attended by the great officers of his Household. On his entrance the curiosity of the ladies seemed to acknowledge no restraint. They actually, as if with one consent, clambered on the benches, where they stood during the entire ceremony. with all humility, he, in the name of the Commons of England, prayed that his Majesty's royal assent might be given. The Bill was laid on the table, and with the Alien Regulation Bill, the Alien Naturalization Bill,' the Education of the Poor Bill, and some others re His Royal Highness the Prince Regent then addressed both Houses of Parliament,, as follows: "My Lords, and Gentlemen, "It is with deep regret that I am again under the necessity of announcing to you, that no alteration has occurred in the state of his Majesty's lamented indisposition. "I continue to receive from foreign Powers the strongest assurances of their friendly disposition towards this country, and of their desire to maintain the general tranquillity. "I am fully sensible of the attention which you have paid to the many important objects which have been brought before you. "I derive peculiar satisfaction from the measure which you have adopted, in pursuance of my recommendation, for augmenting the number of places of public worship belonging to the Established Church; and I confidently trust that this measure will be productive of the most beneficial effects on the religion and moral habits of the people. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons, "I thank you for the supplies which you have granted to me for the service of the pre sent year; and I highly approve of the steps | I feel a perfect assurance that the continued you have taken with a view to the reduction of the Unfunded Deht. "I am happy to be able to inform you, that the Revenue is in a course of continued improvement. 66 My Lords, and Gentlemen, "On closing this Session I think it proper to inform you, that it is my intention forthwith to dissolve the present, and to give directions for calling a new, Parliament. In making this communication, I cannot refrain from adverting to the important change which has occurred in the situation of this country and of Europe, since I first met you in this place. "At that period, the dominion of the common enemy had been so widely extended over the Continent, that resistance to his power was by many deemed to be hopeless; and in the extremities of Europe alone was such resistance effectually maintained. "By the unexampled exertions which you enabled me to make, in aid of countries nobly contending for independence, and by the spirit which was kindled in so many nations, the Continent was at length delivered from the most galling and oppressive tyranny under which it had ever laboured; and I had the happiness, by the blessing of Divine Providence, to terminate, in conjunction with his Majesty's Allies, the most eventful and san. guinary contest in which Europe had for centuries been engaged, with unparalleled success and glory. loyalty and exertions of all classes of his Majesty's subjects will confirm these growing indications of national prosperity, by promoting obedience to the laws and attachment to the Constitution, from which all our blessings have been derived. Then the Lord Chancellor, having received directions from his Royal Highness the Princǝ Regent, said— "My Lords, and Gentlemen, "It is the will and pleasure of his Royal Highness the Frince Regent, acting in the name and on the behalf of his Majesty, that this Parliament be now dissolved; and this Parliament is dissolved accordingly." His Royal Highness then withdrew with the same forms as he had entered, and the Commons having retired to their own House, the House of Lords separated. This unusual dissolution of parliament, in the presence of royalty, cannot escape regard to the intended close, already hinted remark: it was certainly time saved, in at; yet another day taken, in which to have effected the same purpose by proclamation, according to custom, might not have been a day lost. There is something of haste in this, which looks as if management were necessary to somebody. We are concerned to see a number of the former members resign their seats, from various causes among them, we fear one must be referred to the prolonged debates, which run so far into the night, or, to speak more correctly, into the morning, that not every constitution can support it. Hence "The prosecution of such a contest for an advanced time of life, where judgment so many years, and more particularly the than a negative to the duty demanded; and and experience are mature, is little other efforts which marked the close of it, have been hence, younger men must be sought for, followed within our own country, as well as who may better bear it. There is always throughout the rest of Europe, by considerable a considerable change of members, on every internal difficulties and distress. But deeply new election; but, if we rightly guess, as I felt for the immediate pressure upon his there will be quite as many new faces, in Majesty's people, nevertheless I looked for-the ensuing parliament, as has been usual. ward without dismay, having always the fullest confidence in the solidity of the resources of the British Empire, and in the relief which might be expected from a continuance of peace, and from the patience, public spirit, and energy of the nation. "These expectations have not been disap. pointed. "The improvement in the internal circumstances of the country is happily manifest, and promises to be steadily progressive; and If our opinion were asked, we should sentative body as a very serious affair; and describe a General Election of the Repre widely should we differ from those who engage in it with determination to support this party, or that party,-the ins or the outs. The qualifications for a candidate, in our view of them, are not limited to those established by law; while those for than they too commonly are. Perhaps, it an elector, we say should be something more would be hard, in the present day, (as was customary formerly) to elect a gentleman without his cousent, and force him to take | for the present, at least, are placed rather the office; but, certain it is, that the elec-in a state of continuation than of examinators very often know more proper men to be their representatives, than those who offer themselves as candidates. The decreasing value of money tends to enlarge the number of eligible men, so far as property is concerned. The same cause has undoubtedly multiplied, probably by ten times, the number of freeholders; for, who cannot acquire a tenement to the value of forty shillings, yearly? And even in the boroughs, where the right of voting is independent of permanent or freehold property, the number of voters, it may be thought, is at least quadrupled, from what it was in the earlier days of the English dominion. So far we presume to think is well; and though we are no friends to what some understand by the term universal suffrage, yet an approach towards what may be called general suffrage, stands, in our judgment, on a very different footing. tion. A few months, probably, will wind up much of them. In the mean while, the French funds continue looking upwards. We have hinted, occasionally, at a kind of sensation barely consistent with tranquillity, yet not announcing itself by any overt act, which pervades no inconsiderable portion of the people of Germany. The example of certain sovereigns, in proposing, or establishing legislative assemblies, has been beheld with very favourable eyes, by the Germans generally. A short time will, according to the best information, enable us to speak more decidedly on this matter. We should not be surprised should the principles of Representative, Government be adopted very generally, on the continent. Sweden continues quiet, under good mauagement; and from Denmark we hear little or nothing. Russia is intent on de-/ riving all advantages from her situation. Prussia and Saxony, are intent on repair We thought it right to hint at the duty of electors, in our last PERISCOPE; it is now too late to give advice. The part to being past misfortunes; and the same may be taken has generally been adopted; and ex post facto council, though easily given, is neither more acceptable, nor more constitutional, than ex post facto law. The war, which gave unspeakable importance to the choice of representatives on the last election, is closed; but, the scarcely less difficult duty of regulating many vital interests of the state, remains, and remains in full force. We should be sorry to see the preparations for these most desirable purposes lost, or annulled; and yet, new men may be placed in situations where new feelings will prove less available than past examinations and long experience. We can but dismiss this subject, with our best wishes for national Virtue,Honour, and Prosperity. May the best men be placed in the best places;-not the most easy, nor the most lucrative-but, the most important, and therefore, the most dignified! May the British Coustitution be invigorated; and, like the British Oak, bear its verdant honours high, the pride, the glory, the distinction of the world! We scarcely know how to bestow that attention on foreign affairs, which, undoubtedly they deserve in themselves, though diminished in eclat by comparison. The affairs of Spain seem to be making no small impression on the mind of Europe: they are extremely intricate; and we fear, will be found very thorny, by whoever has them under consideration. They appear to take the place of those of France; which said of Austria. Italy gives no disturbance; and the Grand Signior sits, and long may he continue to sit, on the Ottoman throne. The Algerines seem to have got a reasonwill be no security to him for his sitting: able man, as their Dey; but this, we fear, the fashion of cutting off heads, when of little use to their wearers, is too firmly established to be suddenly relinquished. We should be glad to report that all were quiet in India: there have been desperate struggles in that country, and we must Our pages bear expect to hear of more. witness to some. While all around us are full of anxiety and anticipation, it will be thought, that we are not those sturdy exceptions which can maintain themselves in a state of repose: we hope the best for our country, and we wish the best to the world: we must,-as divines exhort us-do our duty, and leave the event-for what more can be expected from us, or from any one? Commercial Chronicle. STATE OF TRADE. Lloyd's Coffee-house, June 20, 1818. THERE are, certainly, two sides to the question—and a very important question it is-respecting the supply of the necessary food for the people of England from any soil other than that of their own island. Doubtless it is most natural that a nation should be supplied by its own territories: on the other hand it must be confessed, that when the price of an article, owing to whatever cause, exceeds that at which the convenience, or the power of the purchaser readily meets it, there is great satisfaction in being able to have recourse to foreign countries for a supply, which may reduce the market to a moderate level. The question appertains to an artificial state of society; and, to attempt to decide it, on principles purely natural, is to overlook those existing circumstances, which must have their influence on the conduct of a real and practical statesman. When the quantity of English wheat at the corn market is but moderate, can we be insensible to the advantage of deriving from abroad, an addition which last week amounted to no less than 27,000 quarters? or, can we wonder that so large an accession should produce a lowering effect on the market? Every description of wheat felt the consequence; and what would have risen 3s. or 4s. declined about as much. The late fine weather has wonderfully enlivened the grain, generally speaking, especially that sown on lands of no deep staple; but the farmers have been within these few days on the look-out for rain; and the delay of that blessing was certainly unfavourable to the appearance of the crops of beans and peas. The prices, therefore, of these articles rose; good beans not less than 6s., and good peas not less than 3s. This even became the currency of the market. Since then, showers of the most genial description have moistened the earth, have abated the heat, and have refreshed the whole face of nature. These have fallen in good time to satisfy almost every crop on the ground; and consequently, the prices at the late markets cannot be taken as any criterion of what the price should be reported at. 66 The general appearance of the country we venture to describe as superb," according to a fashionable phrase. We learn also from Ireland, that expectation rises high, perhaps higher than it has done for many years back. It is said, too, that the agriculturists there, depend on realizing their crops sooner than usual;-in some places, much sooner than usual. The same reports from the continent, as we hinted at in our last, continue; so that-always placing ourselves under the benignant protection of Providence-there is reason to hope for one of the most bountiful harvests ever experienced. The reserve indicated in the last paragraph, will not be lost on the reader; nor the general tenor of the introductory argument; but, it might have been thought, that if from any cause, natural, or artificial, this island might be reduced to the importation of food,-yet it would notit could not-be reduced to the importation of drink!-Such, nevertheless, is the fact. The universal use of TEA, among all ranks and all ages, and in every corner of our island, has rendered us "tributary," in our turn, as our worthy friend, Napoleon, used to say we had rendered other nations "tributary" to us. Be that as it may; it is our duty to report, that at the sale recently closed at the India House, Teas sold on the average, at the following rates:-bohea sold about two pence to four pence under the last sale; that to say, in the price of about 2s. 6d., congou at 2s. 10d. to 3s. 6d. sold about three-halfpence lower; but the finer sorts sold about as much higher. And, in general, it may be understood, that the superior kinds experienced somewhat of a rise though a small one. nation on the language of historians in days We have often speculated in our imagito come, when the present time will be referred to as the classical antiquity of our words will the then race of writers describe country,-by what means, and in what the manners, the customs, and the comration that supplied all the world-while merce of the present generation? a geneit also received supplies from all the world, could go to breakfast. without which not a family, high or low, And this holds good, whether tea or coffee, whether chocolate or cocoa, be the subject. The COFFEE market has lately been visited by extensive sales; yet has supported them better than could have been expected; in fact, much better than really was expected. Only a small proportion was taken in; and there seemed to be no dissatisfaction with the terms obtained, generally speaking. The rise to retail buyers is, on the whole, considerable, and not likely to decline, or continue in that state for any permanency. It has, indeed, been 4s. to 5s. higher than it actually is; but the holders affirm, with much appearance of reason, that it will take another start. SUGARS have met with a ready sale, and at fair prices, in the instances of those new articles which have lately arrived. The market has never been loaded with them; form; they suppose their prices to be not reasonable, and they are willing to do business, yet it is not completed to any extent, by real transfers. BRANDIES decline; because they were taken off the hands of the sellers with much spirit. The prices, of course, were fully supported, especially for the superior sorts. The inferior browns are plentiful; as the supply is fully equand from the appearance of the market, to the demand, the price experiences à slight reduction (say 18.) and sales are not effected without difficulty. The India House has lately put up to sale, upwards of fifteen thousand bags of RICE which, added to upwards of three thou sand bags of Java Rice, sold the week be fore, made about eighteen thousand five hundred bags sold, as it were, together: the consequence has been, considerable fluctuation in the article; in some instances, and with respect to some parcels, a small advance; but generally a depression, or turn, in favour of the buyer. India Rice never equals Carolina in price; which, cou- | sidering the choice of specimens afforded | by ludia, seems to be rather wonderful: why do not their best qualities reach the British market? INDIGO and dyeing drugs, in general, cannot boast at this moment of a very brisk market: the prices are little varied; but then, they are scarcely other than nominal. and the confidence expressed by the owners of vineyards abroad, as to the coming vintage, there is every reason to expect a still further decline: this, at the least, is nticipated, and the market feels the anticipation. The quantities of OIL which had been collected under various pretences, and combined various forms and securities, are now looked forward to, as a supply to be brought to market-not, in all probabi lity, in one mass, but to take advantage of the demand, for the benefit of the estate. The dealers will derive advantage from this importation, in whatever form it reaches them; and consequently their anxieties respecting the supply for the ensuing seasou, are much diminished. The prices continue to give way. The price demanded for the produce of this year's fishing is firmly held at £30.: the buyers offer a trifle under; meaning rather to feel the pulse of those they have to deal with, than Several arrivals of spermaceti oil have absolutely to put a negative on the terms. taken place; that article, therefore, conti SPICES are at present in good demand; and probably that would be much more vigorous had not the India Company latelynues to decline. declared a sale for the 18th of August of 120,000 lbs, cinnamon 100,000 lbs. nutmegs 100,000 ibs. cloves 35,000 lbs. mace 1.090 lbs. oil of mace. This, with what is already in private hands, cannot but keep the market down, in som degree; nevertheless, it is thought that the sale will not be deficient in briskness. The whole is understood to be company's property. Pimento is, at this time in fair request with other West India articles. TOBACCO has lately been of slow sale, insomuch that several vessels from America, have been ordered to wait in the change for directions from London, as to their in ture proceedings; four, it is stated, have sailed for other countries, continental ports, no doubt. Fashion, which once consumed immense quantities of this herb, in the form of snuff, now banishes it from the use of the polite: it will scarcely recover the ground it has lost, notwithstanding the comfort it affords to the friendly pipe of the honest citizen, and its various services to the hardy seaman, It is yet too early to give any opinion on the probable effect of the late law passed in America, respecting British shipping; but we are sorry to report that some of our islands have been under the necessity of opening their ports to whatever will bring them the necessaries of life. An act of the British parliment (May 23, 1818) provides agatost similar events, by enacting that, It shall and may be lawful to impart tobacco, rice, grain, peas, beans, and flour, into any of ins Majesty's colonies or planrations in the West Indies, or on the contiDeut of South America, for the supply of the inhabitants thereof, in British-built ships, owned, registered, and navigated according to law, from any colony or pos session in the West Indies, or on the continent of America, under the dominion of any foreign European sovereign or state 2. Peas and beaus of the growth of any colonies in the West Indies, &c. belonging to any foreign Europeau sovereign may be imported into any other ports in the West Indies mentioned in the following acts45 Geo. 3. c. 57 —46 G. 3, c. 72-49 G. 3, The shippers of rum continue to make c. 22-52 G. S, c. 99-57 G. 3. c. 74.—Subenquiries; but, so it is, that little real bu-ject to the regulations therein mentioned, siness is doing. The holders, in couse- and also to the regulations required by 50 quence, scarcely know what opinion to G. 3, c. 21. |