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Feb. 28. The Debate again resumed. | with contending avidity, this inimitable Mr. Knox stated that the spirit of hostility artist was suffered to pine in indigence in to Government in Ireland, was not con- his native land, and then doomed to have fined to one or two districts: it required his memory encumbered with empty praise more general precautions. Mr. Law ob- by the cheerless voice of posthumous gratiserved that if any thing occurred in Europe, tude, Besides a few excellent pictures by Britain must be a party to it, in her own De Loutherbourg, and a judicious selection defence: we therefore, ought to be pre-from the works of living Masters, this pared. Lord Folkstone, Sir F. Burdett, and several others spoke at great length.

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Gallery is adorned with some of the magnificent productions of the old schools; it is particularly rich in those of the Flemish and Dutch artists, and contains several of the small finished sketches of Rubens, which are in general the most valued of his works, from the fact of their being the acknowledged production of his own hand -an authenticity which did not often attach to several parts of his larger pictures. Ilis fine subject of Sumpson and Delilah, is in this collection; and the celebrated portrait called" La Mere de Rubens," which has suffered terribly from the taste of that very officious set of gentry styled picture cleaners. Some of the fine tints of the artist have been thus wholly obliterated, and the Head of the portrait seems with difficulty to have retained a part of the mild expression, and fine serenity, which marked its original character,

There are also here some of the magical works of Raphael Vandyke, and Rembrandt. The portrait of that magnificent patrou of the Arts, Archduke Albert, by the second of those illustrious characters, is a sublime production. When the rays of the sun fall upon this portrait, the armour of the Prince seems to reflect the golden biaze, while his animated and expressive countenance, and the exquisite finish of bis left hand, which rests on the front of the picture, give to it a life and vigour which seduce the mind altogether from the delusion of Art.

Among the recent improvements at Dulwich College, a capacious and well-constructed gallery has been erected, to receive the splendid collection of pictures, bequeathed to that Institution by the late Sir Francis Bourgeois. This gallery is 120 feet in length; it is divided into three compartments, and lighted by large lanterus, well arranged for the purpose. With a laudable anxiety for the cultivation and improvement of the Fine Arts, this magnificent collection has been lately thrown open to the students of the Royal Academy, who are thereby enabled not only to contemplate and study some of the finest works of the Continental School, in the zenith of its ascendancy; but also some of the happiest productions of those British Artists whose genius dispelled the fantastic theory of Winkelman--that the art of painting, like the culture of some rare plants, required a warmer sun than the climate of this country was competent to afford. In this extensive collection the student will delight to dwell upon one of the few historical works produced by the One part of the Gallery is appropriated masterly pencil of Sir Joshua Reynolds, it to the works of Cuyp, Ostade, Teniers, is "The Death of Curdinul Beaufort," which Potter, and other artists, chiefly of the once adorned the Shakspeare Gallery. Dutch school, remarkable for the transThe colouring of this picture has not (at parent beauty and vigorous execution of least in its present state) that depth and their compositions. On the present occabrilliancy which belong to some of the sion we confine ourselves to a mere outline works of this accomplished man; there is, of the contents of this collection; they are, however a force of invention and a strength however, entitled to a detailed consideraof character in the composition, which ir- tion, from their own intrinsic merits, and resistibly convey to the mind of the specta- from the interest they have excited by the tor the terrible story of the poet, and im- late praiseworthy regulation which threw press him with an admiration for the aropen the gates of the College to the Stutist, by whose genius it was furnished. dents of the Academy. One thing is, how. This collection also contains two admira-ever, wanted to give full effect to this regublelandscapes by Wilson, a name that can never be mentioned but as a reproach to his country. With powers never excelled by those upon whom a better day and a more refined age shed wealth and honours

lation that is, a printed catalogue, descriptive of the pictures; in point of economy there can he no objection to such a publication, for its sale would more than repay the expense.

THE FLOATING ISLAND IN DERWENT LAKE.

[From a Correspondent.} Among the numerous attractions of Kes wick and its neighbourhood, perhaps noue has excited more the curiosity of visitors than the floating Island, at the head of the Lake. Its length is upwards of forty yards, and its extreme breadth twelve, or fifteen.

SPANISH FEMALE PENITENTIARY.

The following account of an Institution, established at Barcelona for the punishment of female delinquents, will, perhaps, amuse our readers: we dare not hope that it will operate to correct the conduct of any person to whom it could at all apply, but, perhaps, it may make some "gall'd jade wince" a little.

The island is composed of peaty earth, "There is one house of correction, formed by the decomposition of "Aquatic which is too remarkable to be passed over plants. Its texture, though spongy, is suf-in silence. It embraces two objects; the ficiently compact to bear a person's weight, and several have been upon it.

It is covered with the Lobelia, dortmanna, and Isoetes lacustris.-A few plants of the A, undo phragmetis, Scirpus lacustris, Schoenus mariscus, and Littérel a lacustris, are also found upon it.

The reasons given for its alternate rising and falling are various and contradictory. -The opinion most generally adopted (because perhaps most easily comprehended) is that some subterranean stream of water decends from the adjacent mountain, and having its outlet beneath this island, forces it from its site, and keeps it afloat.

Others believe that it is owing to the disengagement of either Oxygen or Hydrogen Gas.

But I need not enumerate the various explanations given. Suffice it to say, that the true cause has, (I believe) been wholly overlooked; and that it is not owing to a subterranean current of water, nor to the evolution of hydrogen or oxygen Gas; nor to Carbonic; but to the plauts which cover the surface of the Island; the Lobelia dortmanna, and Isoetis lacustris.

The leaves of the Lobieta, or Cardinal Flower, are roundish, and compressed with a partition running down the middle: forming a double canal filled with air. The leaves of the Loetes are also semi-cylindrical and spongy: full of air cells, somewhat resembling the barrel of a quill: hence its name Quillwort. When therefore those plants are in full and vigourous vegetation, they buoy up the island, like so many bladders of air and it slowly emerges into day. What then is the cause of its sinking? After its surface has been for some time exposed to the sun and atmosphere, the plants shrivel and become withered. A quantity of air is disengaged, and the island descends! In process of time, when the vegetation shall have again become so luxuriant as to counteract the gravity of the island, it will once more appear, again to sink when the plants are withered.

Jan, 1816.

first is the reformation of prostitutes and female thieves; the second, the correction of women who fail in their obligation to their husbands, and of those who either neglect or disgrace their families.

The house for those purposes being divided into distinct portions, without any communication between them, the one is called real casa de galara, aod the other reul casa de correccion. For each of those, who are shut up in the former, the King allows seven deniers to purchase eighteen ounces of bread, and nine deniers, which is near one penny sterling, to procure meat. The fund for this arises from fines; but to aid this fund, the women are obliged to work as long as they can see. By their labour they earn about five shillings a month, half of which they have for themselves, whilst, of the other half the Alcayde, or Governor, has one-tenth, to stimulate his attention to his duty.

"These women, working thus from light to light, would earn much more were it not for the multitude of holidays. The ladies, who deserve more severe correction than their husbands, fathers, or other relatives can properly administer, are confined by the magistrates, for a term proportioned to their offences, in this royal mansion, or casa real de correccion.

"The relation, at whose suit they are taken into custody, pays three sueldos, or four-pence halfpenny per day, for the maintenance; and with this scanty provision they must be contented. Here they are compelled to work, and the produce of their labour is deposited by them, till the time of their confinement is expired. The whole of the building will contain five hundred women; but at present there are only one hundred and thirteen. Among them are some ladies of condition, who are supposed to be visiting some distaut friends, Here they receive bodily correction, when it is judged necessary for their reformation.

"This establishment is under the direction and government of the regent de la audience, assisted by the two senior criminal judges with the Alcayo and his attendants."

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-by which many bloody party feuds, and many destructive wars were propagated, and perpetuated throughout the country, without wishing that scenes so deplorable may never return. May no line of lordlings ever venture to assume an influence, because of their sudden connection with the Crown: may no unworthy suite of relations, near or distant, claim a homage not their due, on account of their affinity to the monarch on the throne.

To avoid this, it has been the policy of Britain to seek foreign consorts. May the choice now made justify this policy! May

The first particular is, the appointed marriage of H. R. H. the Princess Charlotte of Wales (heiress apparent to the Crown, after her father, the Prince Regent) with Prince Leopold. of Saxe Co-Prince Leopold become a Briton, not by bourg. May the connection prove happy and prosperous!

There is something, which if not singular, is not quite satisfactory, in the relation of a husband as the subject of his wife. It ought to be-it cannot but be, that his advice and influence in matters of state, should be powerfully felf; and, his talents may deserve an eminent situation: in this character he receives commands, from the very person, who in another character receives commands from him, and who, at the altar, has promised him relative obedience.

Now, here comes in that principle of the British Constitution-"the Sovereign can do no wrong." As no act of the Sovereign is valid, unless countersigned by the proper officers; and as every counsellor is bound to record the advice he gives, and to answer for it, when called on by competent authority, the responsibility rests on this public officer, not on the Sovereign to whom he gives advice. It matters little therefore, whether the Crown be worn by male or female: the council guides its actions; and if the Crown should be advised to erroneous actions by influence from another quarter, the officer must resign, rather than comply.

the power of a naturalization bill only such an one has been passed by Parliament, with all possible speed nem. diss.) but by adopting the better part of our national manners. We do not profess to be perfect: we do not require any man who comes among us-still less a prince-to forget his native country, and his paternal roof: he may prove a man, a worthy man, and a Briton, without snch unnatural forgetfulness.

For the middle of April, (some say the 16th) this union is said to be fixed. A separate establishment for the royal pair is a matter of course, and the nation would have it liberal, though not extravagant.

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Another of the most important occur. rences of the month, is the decision of the House of Commons against the continuance of the Property Tax, or rather against its perpetuity, for the fear was, that were it not "killed off" at this moment, it would revive, and linger, and linger and revive, to no end.

The difficulty of collecting this Tax, without that inquisition which accompa nied it, was too great to be overcome: and though prudence kept secret many instances of great hardship, while the tax was in progress; they will now creep abroad, and meet the ear with less reserve. It has not always been chargedwe mean surcharged, with pure equity, and simply pro bono publico, but has given opportunity to private pique and malice, to attempt, and to accomplish, purposes nei

To say the truth; there is full as much danger when the wearer of the Crown is masculine, of interference from powers feminine, to illicit purposes, as when the wearer is feminine, of influence exerted, inconsistent with the public prosperity, from masculine connections. Perhaps, in-ther just nor judicious. deed, the danger is greater: in the one case, it may be private, partial, and immoral, as well as prejudicial, in the other case, it is more likely to be well intended, to be obvious, if not official, and to be honestly meant for present or future benefit, both of prince and people,

None can look back to the time when the Sovereign of England was in the habit of alliance among the subjects of the realm

A general stagnation in that kind of credit which is at once public and private, yet neither exclusively, has strongly affected the whole nation. To deny that agricultural produce was up too high, is impossible; to deny that it is DOWN too low, or principally, that its declension has been too sudden, is equally impossible; the consequence is, that the agriculturist must break, if his banker will not afford him ac

commodation on the security of his pro-we should be glad to see her heartily enperty;—and the banker must break, if he | gaged in the resolution to restore the value accepts as security, what is not worth more of her ruble. She is spreading abroad her then two thirds of the money it was worth, arms to catch possibilities; with what dewhen he lent his notes on it formerly. sign, and to what purpose, we must refer This abstraction of circulating medium, to the discreet disclosure of Time. probably to the amount of 25,000,000i. sterling, must of necessity affect every branch of business, and every rank of the community. It has occasioned a run on bankers, which has proved ruinous to many-and nobody knows to whom next and injurious to most: it will have its course, but we hope after a while, things will find their level; the returns for our adventurous consignments will begin to produce effect, and the real powers of the country, will display themselves to permanent advantage.

That no eventful contingency may prevent this happy consummation we devoutly wish and we indulge our hopes in concord with our wishes. That there are "black specks in the horizon" of France, is thought by many; and if malice, revenge, and all ungodliness can realize them, to the distress and dislocation of the members of the European commonweal, there are busy and bitter spirits ready to convert them to the basest of purposes. In the mean while, the councils of the King proceed with a steadiness truly honourable, and not the less beneficial, because condemmed by too impatient Frenchmen.

France has formed a matrimonial connection for the Duke de Berry, with the House of Naples. Spain has formed matrimonial connections (more than one) with the family of Portugal and Brazil; the Prince of Orange, heir appareut to the King of the Netherlands, is married at St. Petersburgh, to a Princess of Russia, and thus politics under another appearance, become no less interesting, if we look to their consequences, as a "Continental System," than did the famous imposition of that name under Buonaparte';-but these are shackles of Hymen, not of blood

stained Mars.

Austria is rapidly reducing her Armies, and studying retrenchment: in fact, her revenues have been most dreadfully cut up: her absolute duty is, to restore public confidence; to regain something of the tone necessary to the nerves of the body, politic to meet the exigencies of the state, with a determination equal to the heroism of her exertion; and to lighten the burdens pressing on the people, by all possible

means.

Russia seems, at present, not to follow the example. Her commerce may be more productive, perhaps, in some respects; but,

We had hoped to have justified the cengratulations we offered to our countrymen on the spread of the principles of the British Constitution in various parts of Europe; among others, in Prussia; but, it seems that the King does not think the present a fit moment for the purpose: he discerns in certain associations among his people, in certain sentiments fostered in those associations, the rudiments of invincible inconveniences; this is much to be regretted; but who is to blame, we know not.

SWEDEN seems to be quiet. and to pursue her own affairs: we conjecture that her timber, and iron, &c. are less in request here than they were.

DENMARK appears, also, to be settled; we see no advantage in her being otherwise.

HOLLAND is getting forward: her commerce revives in her ports; her distant connexions begin to manifest their value; her smugglers accommodate their brethren of England, in the way of “fair trade,” to a great extent, and this, of course, gives spirit to the manufacture of spirits.

As to the Pope, we have not heard whether his penance be over, or still continues: we hope it continues; for we have not yet forgiven him certain of his faux pus; he has our leave to continue on his knees, with his Confiteor, tibi; till he heartily repent him of his re-instating the Jesuits; an insult on the understanding of mankind: a proceeding, not according to truth and honesty; for which

The Pope says grace; but 'tis the Devil give thanks.

As to the Crescent, we believe with a celebrated Corps of Reviewers, that it is in the wane: and we have an inexplicable suspicion that what we have already pointed at, has some view to that object : in short, that we do not retain the Ionian Islands for nothing; and that Malta with our other stations in the Levant, derives a value from position, beside what they offer from their soil and products.

America has revealed so much of her politics as consist with her usual character; those who envy her, have always said that a grasping covetous disposition was her distinguishable feature. That her object is to obtain possession of the Spanish Mines cannot be doubted; for this purpose she bought Louisiana from the Great Emperor, to whom Spain had transferred

dities.

it it; she took possession of all; and what, fuse the perfected article; and raw sugars is thought to be more than all, to be dis- are freely admitted, where refined is procussed in due time: the time for discussionhibited. The same, many other commois ended; and the property is demauded of her, by Spain: She declines restoring it. We presume not to say which is correct; but we say those who envy America, point at her conduct on this occasion, very contemptuously.

This demand, abroad, for coTTON, spun by English machinery, speaks plainly enough, the state of foreign manufactories, and the superiority of our national powers; there is, also, probably, a feeling in foreign America is preparing a Navy, and she parts, that, all things considered, the aris forming schools for Military: she en- ticle as received from the British, is cheaper than when manufactured into thread, by courages learning and science, by remitting the duties of import on their instru- themselves. Or, if it is not cheaper, as to ments; she invites nien of skill, practical price, it is, as to quality; which is, permen: and she has lately received an abun-haps, more than tantamount. dant supply of such, by means of the great The demand for raw cotton has caught number of officers, lately in the French up every ship that has lately arrived, imarmies, who have escaped across the Atlan-mediately on its being brought to market. tic. These will, if they obtain employ in her service, give a wonderful impulse to her efforts, should there be occasion to exert the power of the state against those pos sessions which contain the greatest masses of the precious metais. What can be more exhilerating than a silver mine?— unless, indeed, a gold mine.

The affairs of the insurgents in Spanish America appear to have taken an adverse turn: they have lost Carthagena, after misery endured by famine: they have suffered defeats, in other places. We do not foresee the termination of these troubles; but, we could be glad, for the sake of humanity, that they had reached their conclusion.

In South America, the Prince Regent of Portugal has erected Brazil into a Kingdom, not indeed, as yet, a separate Kingdom; but none could be surprized, should that prove to have been the intention; or at least, a step preparatory to such an issue. The existence and recognition of the "Kingdom of the Brazils," may ultimately produce effects of an unusual nature in Europe.

Commercial Chronicle.

STATE OF TRADE. Lloyd's Coffee-House, March 20, 1816. The mercantile world has been somewhat on the alert lately, occupied by reports of different kinds. It has been ex pected, that the application of the Prusšiaus to their King, would influence him to take measures-protecting measures, of a commercial nature, not favourable to British manufactures; aud certain it is, that commodities in a finished state, yield a profit on labour to the country that exports them; but none to the country that receives them. Cotton-thread is exported, in vast quantities, to countries which re

Of course, the supplies are, as yet, inadequate to the general enquiry; and the market is so far from being glutted, that an advance is readily given of one penny, or of one half-penny per lb. and sales are effected with readiness.

COFFEE shews no more spirit than before, hinting very strongly, at the return of spring, when shipping will resume greater activity. The major part of goods lately brought to sale, has met with purchasers; and that at fair prices, and without much haggling. This must be understood of English growth, of a good quality. Dutch coffee may be bought several shillings lower than before; but, in general, all foreign articles, dull and heavy sale. A large quantity of Mocha coffee, 2270 bags, at the India House, is valued at 54. per cent. for the best: from that price down to 90s. and to 70s.

The soft and low brown SUGARS continue to hang on hand, and are of very difficult sale: the price, notwithstanding, has not given way yet; if the stock should increase, they will hardly be able to maintain their present valne, as there is no great deal of business doing in the article, generally. Refined sugars, which were bought three or four months ago, on speculation, prove to be somewhat hazardous property: they are now pressed on the market, but, whether at better prices may be much doubted. Large lumps and crushed sugars are not plentiful: purchasers appear to be willing for the latter: at fair prices, or even, at a trifling advance.

Foreign sugars have lately experienced that frequency of enquiry, which usually precedes a rising market; the probability is, that considerable contracts are about to be entered into: and though offers at present may be a trifle under the currency, yet they may find it necessary to rise, as the time for delivery appproaches. This, however, is rather speculation than matter

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