of the seasons, by which the country is the scene of some of the gloomiest months of winter, and, with a still greater sacrifice of happiness, the season of vernal delight is lost in the tumultuous dissipation of the capital. A desideratum in our system of education, viz. an easy practical introduction to English composition, and to the tasteful reading of poetry, will soon issue from the press, under the title of "sop Modernised and Moralized," in a series of instructive tales, calculated as reading lessons for youth, and followed by skeletons of the several tales, with leading questions and hints, constituting a simple and easy introduction to the practice of English composition; besides an appendix of "Poetic Readings," with interlinear marks to every verse, pointing out the proper accentuation and panses. The Rev. Dr Symmons's translation of the Æneid of Virgil is nearly ready for publication. Mr Charles Mills has in the press, in one volume octavo, an History of Muhammedanism, or a View of the Religious, Political, and Literary Annals of the Disciples of the Arabian Prophet. No work of the kind has hitherto appeared. Mr Nichols has nearly completed two volumes of Illustrations of Literature, consisting of memoirs and let ters of eminent persons who flourished in the eighteenth century, intended as a sequel to the Literary Anecdotes; and a third quarto volume of the Biographical Memoirs of Hogarth, with illustrative essays, and fifty plates. We learn from good authority, that the celebrated Voss, the translator of Homer, Virgil, and other classic authors, bas resolved to translate into German the whole of Shakespeare, in conjunction with his two sons; that he has already revised the Tempest, and is now employed upon Hamlet. This is a very agreeable piece of intelligence to the friends of Ger man literature, since they may justly expect from the pen of so distinguished a poet, a more spirited translation than the German language yet can boast of the works of our immortal bard. The translation by the learned Professor Eschenburg of Brunswick, is, indeed, highly esteemed for its fidelity, but wholly in prose, and besides is deficient in many poetical excellencies. Another translation was begun by the well-known M, Schlegel, but only about half finished. This translation is much admired, but the translator seems to have given it up; and, engaged as he is in the brilliant societies of Paris, it is not very probable that he will have time to complete his undertaking. The Dutch Scientific Society of Haarlem, in its last public sitting, decreed the prize to a work, the object of which is to prove, that the art of printing with detached and moveable types was invented at Haarlem, before the year 1440, by Laurens Jansz Coster. The author of this Prize Essay is Mr James Koening, secretary to the Tribunal of the First Instance. The Society was so satisfied with this Memoir, that it augmented the value of the prize by 50 ducats, and resolved that the Prize Essay should be printed, not only in Dutch, but in French," in order that the learned of foreign countries may see that the honour of this invention is improperly disputed with the town of Haarlem." The opinion which is thus brought forward again by M. Koening and the Dutch Society has been maintained successively by P. Scriverius, by Boxhorn, and particu larly by Mr Ger. Meerman, who published, in 1765, two volumes, in 4to, on this subject. As we have not seen Mr Koening's Memoir, we know not whether he has discovered any new or more decisive documents than those hitherto known; in this case his work will doubtless interest persons who are fond of typographical researches. Mr Mr Professor Brande announces an important work, which is calculated to embody and arrange many scattered and desultory theories, under the title of "Outlines of Geology," being the substance of a course of lectures delivered in the Royal Institution of Great Britain. A new general enumeration of vegetables is announced as nearly ready for the press, under the title of " Editio nova Systematis Vegetabilium Linnæi," by Drs Roemer of Zurich, and Schultes of Landshuth, in Bavaria. The whole will be brought within the compass of five bulky octavos. SONG, Poetry. Sung by one of LOCHIEL's Clan on meeting Prince CHARLES STUART in 1745. ROUSE! rouse! ilk kilted clan, Let Highland hearts lead on the van, And forward wi' her dirk in han', Welcome, Charlie, o'er the main, Our Highland hills are a' your ain, WHEN the dark cloud o'er Misty-Law Welcome to our isle again, Welcome, Royal Charlie. Auld Scotia's sons, 'mang Highland hills, For kindred fire ilk bosom fills Welcome, Charlie, &c. Her ancient thistle wags her pow, Welcome, Charlie, &c. Rejoic'd to think nae foreign weed Amang the wilds o' Caledon Then let the flowing Quegh go round, Welcome, Charlie, o'er the main, tow'ring Denotes the rude whirlwind is nigh; When the East with dark aspect is low'ring, And the storm-bird is heard in the sky: When the gloom-gathering night with her Proceedings of Parliament. HOUSE OF LORDS. Tuesday, January 28. At THE Parliamentary Sessions opened this day. At twelve, the House of Lords was crowded with ladies, who were seated on the Peers' benches. The Grand Duke Nicholas and his suite were present. Male strangers were placed below the bar. half past one the Lord Chancellor arrived. At two the Prince Regent, with his usual state, entered the House. Having taken his seat upon the throne, and the Speaker with a number of Members of the House of Commons being present at the bar, his Royal Highness read from the throne the following speech: "My Lords and Gentlemen, It is with deep regret that I am obliged to announce to you, that no alteration has occurred in the state of His Majesty's la mented indisposition. I continue to receive from Foreign Powers the strongest assurances of their friendly disposition towards this country, and of their earnest desire to maintain the general tranquillity. The hostilities to which I was compelled to resort, in vindication of the honour of the country against the Government of Algiers, have been attended with the most complete success. The splendid achievements of his Majesty's fleet, in conjunction with a squadron of the King of the Netherlands, under the gallant and able conduct of Admiral Viscount Exmouth, led to the immediate and unconditional liberation of all Christian captives then within the territory of Algiers, and to the renunciation by its Government of the practice of Christian sla very. I am persuaded that you will be duly sensible of the importance of an arrangement so interesting to humanity, and reflecting, from the manner in which it has been accomplished, such signal honour to the British nation. In India, the refusal of the Government of Nepaul to ratify a treaty of peace which had been signed by its plenipotentiaries, occasioned a renewal of military operations. The judicious arrangements of the Governor-General, seconded by the bravery and perseverance of his Majesty's forces, and of those of the East India Company, brought the campaign to a speedy and successful issue; and peace has been finally established upon the just and honourable terms of the original treaty. February 1817. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons, I have directed the Estimates for the current year to be laid before you. They have been formed upon a full consideration of all the present circumstances of the country, with an anxious desire to make every reduction in our establishments which the safety of the empire and sound policy allow. I recommend the state of the Public Income and Expenditure to your early and serious attention. I regret to be under the necessity of informing you that there has been a deficiency in the produce of the Revenue in the last year; but I trust that it is to be ascribed to temporary causes: and I have the consolation to believe that you will find it practicable to provide for the public services of the year, without making any addition to the burthens of the people, and without adopting any measure injurious to that system by which the public credit of the country has been hitherto sustained. "My Lords and Gentlemen, I have the satisfaction of informing you that the arrangements which were made in the last Session of Parliament, with a view to a new Silver Coinage, have been completed with unprecedented expedition. I have given directions for the immediate issue of the New Coin, and I trust that this measure will be productive of considerable advantages to the trade and internal transactions of the country. The distresses consequent upon the termination of a wat of such unusual extent and duration, have been felt, with greater or less severity, throughout all the nations of Europe; and have been considerably aggravated by the unfavourable state of the season. Deeply as I lament the pressure of these evils up. on this country, I am sensible that they are of a nature not to admit of an imme, diate remedy; but whilst I observe with peculiar satisfaction the fortitude with which so many privations have been borne, and the active benevolence which has been employed to mitigate them, I am persuaded that the great sources of our national prosperity are essentially unimpaired, and I entertain a confident expectation that the native energy of the country will at no distant period surmount all the difficulties in which we are involved. In considering our internal situation, you will, I doubt not, feel a just indignation at the attempts which have have been made to take advantage of the distresses of the country, for the purpose of exciting a spirit of sedition and violence. I am too well convinced of the loyalty and good sense of the great body of his Majesty's subjects, to believe them capable of being perverted by the arts which are employed to seduce them; but I am determined to omit no precautions for preserving the public peace, and for counteracting the designs of the disaffected and I rely with the utmost confidence on your cordial support and co-operation, in upholding a system of law and government, from which we have derived inestimable advantages, which has enabled us to conclude, with unexampled glory, a contest whereon depended the best interests of mankind, and which has been hitherto felt by ourselves, as it is acknowledged by other nations, to be the most perfect that has ever fallen to the lot of any people." The Commons retired from the Bar, and the Prince Regent withdrew from the House, with the same state as on his entrance. The House then adjourned during pleasure. The house resumed between three and four, when Lord Viscount Exmouth and Lord Prudhoe, were introduced. At half past five Lord Sidmouth intimated that he had a communication to make to their Lordships of the first importance, which rendered it necessary that the bar should be cleared.-Lord James Murray was then examined respecting an attack upon the Prince Regent, and an Address voted to be presented to his Royal Highness. A conference with regard to the Address was desired with the Commons, and the Lord President (the Earl of Harrowby,) the Lord Privy Seal (the Earl of Westmoreland,) the Marquis of Buckingham, the Marquis Camden, the Earl of Liverpool, Earl Bathurst, Earl Grey, Lord Viscount Sidmouth, Lord Grenville, and other Lords, went forth as the managers of the conference. Soon af ter their return the House adjourned till the next day, then to go up with an Address on the subject of the attack made upon his Royal Highness on his return from the House. The consideration of an answer to the speech from the Throne was postponed. Wednesday, January 29. Their Lordships, after going up with the Address to the Prince Regent, proceeded to the consideration of the speech from the Throne. The Earl of Dartmouth moved the Address, which was seconded by the Earl of Rothes. Earl Grey, at the close of an argumentative speech, moved an amendment, similar to that proposed by Mr Pon sonby in the House of Commons. Earl Grosvenor, Lord St John, and the Marquis Wellesley, supported the amendment. Lord Sidmouth, in his reply, stated, that the estimates of the year were formed on the strictest principles of economy; and added, that he should have a communication to make on Friday from the Prince, upon the state of the nation, and the present temper of the people. The amendment was nega tived without a division. Monday, February 3. MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCE REGENT. Lord Viscount Sidmouth presented a Message from the Prince Regent, stating that his Royal Highness had given orders to lay before the House information respecting certain practices, meetings, and combinations, in the metropolis, and other parts of the country, the evident object of which was to alienate the affections of his Majesty's subjects from his person and government, and to destroy our system of laws and constitution, which he desired the House to take into their serious consideration. His Lordship moved that the Prince Regent's most gracious message be taken into consideration to-morrow; and stated, that he should then present the papers alluded to in the message, which he should move to refer to a Secret Committee. The thanks of the House were voted to Lord Viscount Exmouth, Rear-Admiral Sir David Milne, and other officers, for the successful result of the attack upon Algiers. Tuesday, February 4. THE PRINCE REGENT'S MESSAGE. Lord Sidmouth, in moving that the Prince Regent's message be taken into consideration, said, that their Lordships might believe, that it was not without the most painful feelings that his Royal Highness found himself under the necessity of making such a cominunication. It was, indeed, a most afflicting circumstance both to that illustrious personage and to his advi sers, to feel themselves called upon by their sense of duty to the country and the constitution, to inform their Lordships' House that there did exist meetings and combinations in different parts of the country, for the purpose of endeavouring to alienate from his Majesty the affections of his subjects, to bring his person and government into hatred and contempt, to endanger the liberty of the subject, and to overthrow the whole scheme and system of our laws and constitution: and their Lordships might easily believe that such a communication would not have been made without the strongest conviction of its urgent and indispensable ne cessity. cessity. Their Lordships would, he had no doubt, concur in the Address which he would have the honour to propose in an swer to the Message, as it would pledge their Lordships to nothing except to an examination of the evidenee; for as to the ulterior proceedings, he not only did not call on their Lordships to give any pledge, but he would not choose to be himself consider ed as pledged. When this motion should be disposed of, he should propose that the papers communicated by his Royal Highness be referred to a committee of secrecy. After having said this, he need not state that he did not purpose at present to enter into particulars. He would refrain from all reference to any ulterior proceedings, and recommended that nothing should be said or done until the report of the committee should be laid before the House. All that he had to request in the mean time was, that their Lordships would abstain from making up their minds, until the whole subject should be investigated. As to the course to be afterwards adopted, as to the necessity or expediency of any ulterior proceedings, on that head he would not say a word; and all he asked of their Lordships was, to suspend their opinions and judgments until the report should be made. There was only one other point to which he felt it his duty to call the attention of their Lordships, as it was material that it should be noticed. The atrocious outrage lately committed against the Prince Regent was certainly regarded with the utmost horror and reprobation by an overwhelming majority of the nation; and he felt it his duty to state, that the present communica tion was not at all connected with that outrage. Though that atrocious, that horrid outrage against the royal dignity had not been committed, his Royal Highness's advisers, with the information in their possession, would have still felt it their indispensable duty to have brought forward this proceeding, originating in a message from the Prince Regent, to be followed up by a reference of the papers to a committee of secrecy. Earl Grosvenor said, that the papers must go to a committee; but he was convinced that the meetings and combinations, if they did exist, were mainly provoked by the conduct of the ministers, who had set their fa. ces against economy and retrenchment. Lord Holland remarked, that ministers must not only prove that such meetings and combinations existed, but that a reme. ddy for the evil was not to be had from the ordinary law of the land; for nothing short of this would justify their calling for the interference of Parliament. Lord Liverpool denied that there was any charge of disloyalty or disaffection intimated or insinuated in the speech or message against the general body of the nation. A vast majority was no doubt sincerely attached to the laws and constitution; but many, even of the well disposed but misinformed, might be misled by the artful and designing, and more particularly in a scason of general and severe pressure. Earl Grey argued strenuously against touching upon the liberty of the subject, and said, that nothing could be more impolitic, or more pernicious, than to arm the crown with new and extraordinary powers under the present circumstances of the country, unless it should appear to be a measure of paramount necessity. He repeated, therefore, that their Lordships ought to give their attention to this most momentous subject, with a resolution as strong to protect the liberties of the subject as to guard the crown from danger. The Marquis of Buckingham spoke to the same effect as Lords Grey and Holland. An Address to the Prince Regent was agreed to; and the papers on the table ordered to be referred to a Committee of Secrecy, consisting of eleven Lords, to be then chosen by ballot. Wednesday, February 5. The following Noblemen were appointed the Committee of Secrecy, to inspect and report upon the sealed papers: The Lord Chancellor, Earl Harrowby, Duke of Bedford, Duke of Montrose, Earl Fitzwilliam, Earl of Liverpool, Earl Powis, Earl of St Germains, Lords Sidmouth, Grenville, and Redesdale. The thanks of their Lordships were voted to Lord Exmouth for his services at Algiers. Thursday, February 6. Lord Lauderdale having made some inquiries on the subject of the French loan which was now negociating, the Earl of Liverpool, in addition to disclaiming any sanction or guarantee on the part of Government, stated, that the parties concerned had, somehow or other, (it did not appear how,) an intimation that this Govermnent would not in any way interfere upon the subject. It was urged by the Earl of Lauderdale that there ought to have been an express notice given to the capitalists, that Government would not at any future period act with regard to their interests (in case of the French Government failing in its engagements,) upon the precedent of the article in the Treaty with France, for securing the payment of British creditors on the Government of France. Lord Liverpool having, in answer to this, observed, that it was im possible |