Intelligence. Debate in the House of Commons on the French Protestants. 431 but, what would be the answer of the Noble Lord to such a proposition? He had given a foretaste of it to-night. "Do not interfere (he would say)-do not endeavour to promote the happiness of the slaves, it is true they are now whipped with scourges, but if you interpose they will be flogged with scorpions." Such an argument would not impose upon the understanding of Parliament. The Noble Lord had stated, that he was no friend to peace who divinished the stability of the present government of France; it was true that conflicting opinions had been entertained as to the propriety of our interference in the establishment of the Bourbons, but both parties might now join sincerely in the prayer that that family might not be disturbed. That it should continue on the throne of France, presenting a firm front to its enemies, and a benevolent countenance to its friends, must be the nearest and dearest wish of every man who rejoiced in the happiness of France, and in the tranquillity of Europe; but he was at a loss to imagine how this government was prevented from remonstrating on the subject of the Protestants at a time when we had an army in France, and a general with powers, little less than sovereign. He trusted that the present discussion would operate as a spur to those who had authority in our neighbour kingdom; at least it would show, that there were a few persons in Great Britain who felt the ancient sympathy of their forefathers, and who felt equal, pity for the persecuted, and indignation at the authors of their calamities. Lord BINNING maintained that Protestants and Bonapartists were in truth synonimous ; and that interference was most of all to be avoided at a time when we had an imposing force in France, because then it would be most likely to give umbrage. Mr. W. SMITH supported the mo tion. to the Noble Lord, but he thought he He as unworthy of notice? As the Noble Lord had thought proper to refer to the period of 1780, he would also remind him that although a religious mob then domineered, they did not commit a single murder; but that, on the other hand, government acted with an extraordinary severity. Much blood was shed both in the streets and on the scaffold, and it was not the fault of government that Lord George Gordon was not brought to a public execution. He had certainly as good a right to comment on the proclamation of Louis as on a proclamation of his own king, He felt great respect for the personal character of Louis; but he considered that he, as well as our own Prince Regent, had the misfortune to be dependent on others. After hearing the whole case made out by the Noble Lord, he had no doubt that, under all its circumstances, the letter of the Duke of Wellington was wholly unjustifiable on the facts. He would not divide the House, but he felt satisfied that the result of this discussion would be beneficial. After a few words of explanation from Lord Binning and Lord Castlereagh, the question was put and negatived. Bible Society. 654,427 Bibles, | 828,546 Test. The following Statement represents commencement of the Institution, to the Receipts and Expenditure, to- the last mentioned period," gether with the number of Bibles and Testaments issued within the year, as mentioned in their Report. The Issue of Copies of the Scriptures, from March 31, 1815, to March 31, 1816, had been 138,168 Bibles, | 110,063 Test. Making the total issued, from the The Receipts of Annual Subscriptions, Donations and Life ditto, Congregational Collections, In all, 1,482,973 copies, exclusive of about 75,500 copies circulated at the charge of the Society, from Depositories abroad, making a grand total of one million, five hundred and fiftyseven thousand, nine hundred and seventythree copies, already circulated by the British and Foreign Bible Society. the Year have been 1. s. d 3058 8 0 1248 18 3 Property Tax returned on ditto, to January 5, 1816, 476 3 10 78 7 4 1430 3 3 55450 3 9 For Bibles and Testaments, the greater part of which 62932 10 4 29927 12 5 Total, 92860 2 9 ..... 103680 13 3 The Expenditure of the Year,... The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the course of an excellent speech, at the Annual Meeting, expressed himself to the following effect: "You will perceive, my Lord, that I am particularly alluding to a very remarkable transaction, which has distinguished the past year; and which differed so widely from diplomatic forms, and from the principles of ordinary policy, that it is not sur 36000 0 0 prising that at first it should have ex cited some degree of jealousy and suspicion-I mean the Secret Treaty, concluded and signed at Paris, by the Emperors of Austria and Russia, and the King of Prussia. The confused and imperfect notions of this proceeding, which at first crept out, naturally occasioned curiosity, and even alarm, rather than confidence; but to those who had the opportunity of being ac Intelligence.-Secession from the Church. quainted with the real and genuine history of this arrangement, and of knowing the sincerity and integrity of the principles from which it originated, it afforded the gratifying, and hitherto unprecedented spectacle, of a union of Christian Sovereigns, differing in their respective modes of religious persuasion, but agreeing in a public recognition of the divine authority of the gospel, and binding themselves, by a solemn compact, to adopt its precepts as the rules of their policy and conduct. I feel it my duty to add, that, though legal and constitutional difficulties prevented the Sovereign of this country from acceding in form to this Treaty, yet this Government was confidentially acquainted with every stage of the proceeding, and fully concurred in its principles and spirit. It was not, however, till the return of the Emperor of Russia to St. Petersburg, that it received the fullest elucidation. When we learn, from the Report we have heard, the zeal with which that great Sovereign entered into the concerns of the Bible Society, it becomes impossible longer to hesitate as to the real sentiments and intentions of his heart, in the transaction we have been considering. In giving the Bible to every nation of his vast dominions, in its own language, he fixed the real and most appropriate ratification to the Christian Treaty." The impression made by the late Anniversary of this Society, is well expressed in the following passage, from the conclusion of the Report : "It is indeed impossible to contemplate the effects produced by the British and Foreign Bible Society, so conspicuously displayed in the attention which it has excited to the supreme importance of the holy Scriptures, in the unparalleled efforts for the diffusion of them, and in the extension and enlargement of charitable feeling, without emotions of the purest delight, the warmest gratitude, and the most cheering anticipation. "In humble dependence on the favour of Almighty God, deriving efficiency from the public bounty, and with no other recommendation than the simplicity of its principle, and the benevolence of its design, the British and Foreign Bible Society has gone forth from strength to strength, triumphantly opposing the 433 attempts of Infidelity to discountenance the truths of Divine Revelation, imparting its spirit to Christians all over the world, animating their zeal, and aiding their exertions, accompanied by their prayers, and rewarded by their benedictions. The Members of the Institution have the amplest grounds for rejoicing in the glorious privilege which they exercise of dispensing the bounty of the Most High. The charity to which they have devoted themselves, in humble imitation of that divine love which, in its dispensation of mercy, offered the gospel of salvation to all mankind, embraces the whole human race, without distiuction of colour or country, of friend or foe; connecting the scattered members of the Christian community by the sacred ties of a religion which considers all men as brethren, the children of one common Father; and exhibiting, by this union, a practical exemplification of the apostolic precept, To keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.' "It is a charity no less ennobled by its object, than sanctified in its means, which enriches those who bestow, as well as those who receive; and the Christian, who knows the word of God to be the savour of life unto life, and the power of God unto salvation, puts forth his hand to the work with heartfelt delight, thankful that God has blessed him with the ability, as well as inclination, to render others partakers of the heavenly banquet on which he has feasted, and to enable them to gather with him, the fruit of immortality from the tree of life." "Secession from the Church.-A few weeks since we announced the baptism, by immersion, of two respectable clergymen, the Rev. Mr. Snow and the Rev. Mr. Bevan, who, from conscientious motives, have lately resigned their connection with the Established Church. [See M. Repos. XI. 143.] We have now to notice that on the 14th ult. two of their colleagues, who.. have also resigned valuable preferments, the Rev. George Baring and the Rev. Mr. Evans, with Grange, Esq. were baptized by the Rev. Mr. Bevan, at the Octagon Chapel in this town, which has been purchased for their accommodation." Taunton Courier. NOTICES. Mr. Wright, of Liverpool, whose attachment to the principles of liberty are well known and deservedly respected, announces a new weekly publication, to be entitled The Liverpool Freeman, with this excellent motto, from Mr. Fox: "If to inform the people of England of their actual situation is to inflame them, the fault is in those who have brought them into that situation, and not in those who only tell them the truth." It will partake of the character of a Magazine; Political Intelligence and Discussion will be the primary objects: but, by compressing the events and reserving the space occupied with advertisements, a large portion of the paper will be appropriated to a greater variety of subjects, and to communications of merit. It will be printed on a sheet of deny, in octavo pages. OBITUARY. THE LATE MR. JOYCE.-By the friends of civil and religious liberty, and the advocates for freedom of enquiry, the death of the Rev. JEREMIAH JOYCE cannot be contemplated without deep interest and unfeigned regret. He was possessed of no ordinary share of merit as a man, a scholar, and a member of society. Ardent in temper, and unsophisticated in principle, he was always solicitous to promote the spread of truth, the love of liberty, and the interests of humanity. In every virtuous cause that came within the scope of his exertions, he was prompt and persevering. And it is not his least praise, that his heart, warm, generous, and open, was highly susceptible of the friendly and sympathetic affections; that he was active, zealous and unwearied in offices of kindness, and the great duties of benevolence, His faculties were all awake, and his mind constantly on the alert, full of energy, and fruitful of resource. His talents, highly respectable, were versatile and various. Distinguished by his attainments in philosophy and general literature, he possessed the peculiarly happy art of turning his talents to account, by applying them to the purposes of general utility. With these qualifications, aided by great industry, in-, defatigable assiduity, and unremitting attention, he rendered eminent services to the, rising generation, by the publication of several useful works for their benefit and intruction. Amongst these, his "Scientific Dialogues" hold a distinguished place; a work happily calculated to communicate knowledge to the youthful mind, and to illustrate and exemplify the principles of natural science in an easy and familiar manner. He had a kind of original aptitude to the business of education; and was accordingly most usefully and honourably engaged in this arduous and important occupation; having been entrusted with the education of several young persons of high, rank and condition. In all his engagements, it is due to the memory of Mr. Joyce to observe, that he was upright and strictly conscientious, actuated by a nice regard to the purest principles of probity and honour. Though he had lived among the great, he was no respecter of persons; he never forgot what was due to his own character; he never dissembled his sentiments, nor compromised his principles, nor forfeited the independence of his own mind; much less did he ever descend to the baseness of personal'adulation and servility. He was remarkable for a native frankness, simplicity, and manliness of mind, devoid of art, and. incapable of duplicity and disguise. Thus gifted, thus endowed, the name of Mr. Joyce will live long in the recollection of his friends-endeared, honoured, and lamented. He will ever be remembered by them with grateful respect and affection. And by the disinterested, the impartial, and the unprejudiced public, biş merits will A Obituary.-Bishop of Llandaff-R. B. Sheridan, Esq.-T. Henry, Esq. 435 be justly appreciated and highly esteemed, as long as uncorrupted virtue, inflexible integrity, and undeviating consistency of character, shall continue to be held in moral estimation. Mr. Joyce was a very active and useful member of "The Unitarian Society," and had for a great number of years acted as its Secretary; which office he had resigned but a very short time before his decease. This worthy and excellent uran died at his house at Highgate, on Friday the 21st of June.-Having dined from home on that day with some friends, amongst whom he conversed with his usual frankness and cheerfulness of temper; on his return to his family in the evening between uine and ten o'clock, he complained of pain in the stomach; and, after he had lain on a sofa for a little time, in a dosing posture, Mrs. Joyce, on going near him,.soon made the awful discovery of the affecting change which had already taken place. He had breathed his last. Leeds. T. J. June 29, in the 78th year of his age, after a protracted suffering of near five years under a severe paralytic affection, DAVID WILLIAMS, Esq. Founder of the Literary Fund. The writings of this gen.tleman were, as to several of them, on subjects so important, that we hope to be able to take further notice of the Author. July 4. At his seat, Calgarth Park, Westmoreland, at a very advanced age, Dr. RICHARD WATSON, Bishop of Llandaff, Regius Professor of Divinity in the University of Cambridge, and Archdeacon of Ely. Of the life and writings of this eminent man we hope to give some account in a future Number: July 7. RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN, Esq. early and justly celebrated for his literary accomplishments, and especially his dramatic genius, and for more than 30 years a member of the British Senate. porting the great interests of civil and religious liberty. Soon as he had taken his seat he distinguished himself by animadverting on the unconstitutional employment of the military during the riots. The Regency and the Trial of Hastings afterwards called forth his shining talents. His speeches on the latter occasion, especially that in Westminster Hall, have been applauded by all political parties. During the short periods in which Mr. Fox was Minister, Mr. Sheridan shared in the administration, first as his private Secretary, and afterwards as Treasurer of the Navy. Such was the public life of this possessor of many talents. We will not reverse the medal and describe a life which has been too justly represented as "rather a warning than an example;" "Nor draw his frailties from their dread abode." Those who have been blessed with a more favoured, though less brilliant lot, and who possess "The single talent well employed," let such be content and grateful. At Manchester, aged 82, THOMAS HENRY, Esq. President of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester, Fel low of the Royal Society of London, and Member of several other learned Societies both in this country and abroad. As a practical and philosophical Chemist, he obtained a high and merited reputation. His contributions to that science, besides a small volume of Essays, and his Translations of the early Writings of Lavoisier, which he first introduced to the notice of the English public, consist of Memoirs, dispersed through the Transactions of the various Societies to which he belonged, and relative to those parts of Chemistry that are purely scientific, aud to those which have reference to the useful arts. On a subject intimately connected with the success of the Cotton Manufacture He was born in 1751, at Quilca, near (the employment of Mordaunts or Bases Dublin, of a family long connected within Dyeing, Mr Henry was the first who the literary history of Ireland. At 6 years of age he was brought to England and placed at Harrow School, under the tuition of Dr. Sumner. He entered at the Middle Temple, but declined being called to the Bar, having attached himself very early to classical and dramatic literature. When only 18 he engaged with a friend in translating from the Greek the Epistles of Aristaus. In 1775 he produced his "first play, The Rivals, and the next year commenced his long connection with Drury-Lane Theatre, as one of the Proprietors. In 1780, Mr. Sheridan came into Parliament, where, it is but justice to recollect, that he was generally found sup In thought and wrote philosophically. the Introduction of the new mode of Bleaching, which has worked an entire revolution in that art, and occasioned an incomparably quicker, circulation of capital, he was one of the earliest and most successful agents. In addition to the attainments connected with his profession, he had cultivated, to no inconsiderable degree, a taste for the Fine Arts; he had ac-. quired a knowledge of historical events re'markable for its extent and accuracy; and he had derived, from reading and retlection, opinions, to which he was steadily attached, on topics of political, moral, and religious enquiry. Several years ago, he retired from the practice of Medicine in |