modated, if at no nearer place, at Westminster Abbey; where the solemnity of the temple and the trophied honours of sepulchral testimony over the remains of heroes who died for their country, would have added a dignified, patriotic feeling, to which the frivolities of Ranelagh cannot be compared without a kind of sacrilege.-I will not say the pulpit is degraded and the desk prophaned, which were removed to the rotunda; but, when we look back a few years to the circular letter of a prelate to his clergy on the subject of theatrical singers at charity sermons, we cannot but wonder at the names of Incledon and Braham among the choristers; and considering the whole of this motley scenery of "the sacred and profane," how are we to reconcile the nice punctilious strainings of that prelate at every little gnat when he so quietly swallowed this camel ?It appears, Sir, however improper and indecorous it may be, that this ceremony should be permitted at Ranelagh at all, a reverend gentleman was not sufficiently gratified with what was permitted there; for we are given to understand, that he wished to introduce a prayer of his own composition, in order actually to consecrate the colours. This prayer has been hurried into the newspapers with such anxiety, and printed with such correctness as to betray, with something like certainty, its being sent there by the writer himself; and it was accompanied by a sort of complaint that her Majesty would not permit it to be used. If such was the case, so far from any blame attaching to her Majesty, she deserves the highest claim for her discriminating judgment.Of the composition of -Of the composition of the prayer, to use a vulgar phrase, "the least said is the soonest mended." New prayers even on the most urgent occasions should be cautiously used-both, as our common form embraces almost every possible occasion, and because, (somewhat to console this young gentleman for my remark) from all the specimens of occasional new prayers which have appeared for some years, there is much reason to conclude with a late bishop, that the true spirit of plum-porridge and prayer-making fell together. Indeed, for so young a clergyman to obtrude his MS. prayers on any pretence is so absurd, that I should as soon have expect-ed her Majesty to turn author herself, and indulge the public with instructions for the cradle, and tales for the nursery.—But I do not mean so much to quarrel with the prayer itself, as the reverend gentleman's apparent intention of consecrating the co lours by it. I have not the honour of his acquaintance, but in pure kindness have all along presumed him to be a very youth, perhaps in Deacon's orders only, who has not had an opportunity of consulting his dictionary on the term, or inquiring into the history of it; and investigating to whom the powers of consecration belong. To consecrate is to make holy," "to devote any "thing entirely to God." It may be asked, if the colours are not consecrated, why do prayers precede the ceremony of presentation? There was a good old custom, still preserved in many places, and it were devoutly to be wished that it were preserved in many more, to hear prayers previous to every sort of public business; it is continued before the daily deliberations of both Houses of Parliament, &c.; and on certain days before the City companies, when they distribute their charities and dine with their liveries; but it never can be contended that they consecrate a turnpike bill at the one, or the turtle and venison of the other. As well might it be contended, that the First Consul, consecrated the invincible standard which your poor unrewarded friend, Lutz, proved to be vincible.But even if colours are to be consecrated, is the ceremony to be performed by a Deacon, for such I hope, for his reputation-sake, this gentleman is? In the whole history of the church we trace the powers of consecration to be alone in the Apostles and their successors, that is, Bishops; and we read, even in papal times, of no consecrated banners but such as were blessed by the Pope himself, or by legatine authority; which word legatine, if this young gentleman should not understand it, may be explained by Lady Harrington's appearance at Ranelagh as proxy.This gentleman may tell me, that every priest has the power of consecrating the elements of the sacrament. I readily grant this, and have to observe upon it, that this power is particularly and specifically given to him as a priest, at ordination, and is derived from his legatine authority; and the power so 'specifically given at that time infers that he possesses it in no other.I have troubled you, Sir, with this long letter to rescue her Majesty from the imputation of captiously depriving the colours, she munificently bestowed, of a portion of holiness, and to explain my opinion of consecration; fearful that many zealous, well-meaning persons, through the sanction which this reverend gentleman's querulousness would have bestowed upon it, should be led into a gross superstition, respecting consecrated colours, The undersigned, Vice Chancellor of the Empire, has laid before his Imperial Majesty the most humble address, in which the thirteen members of the Equestrian Order of Franconia, summoned to Bamberg the 19th of November by the Bavaro Palatine Government, have given an account of the remarkable events of that day.His Majesty has seen, with pleasure, by that address, that the said members of the Equestrian Order, regarding as they ought the intentions manifested of the date of the 3d of last month, and guided by that sentiment of attachment to their supreme Chiet which they have inherited from their ancestors, have remained faithful to the Emperor and Empire; and that, conducting themselves as brave and loyal Germans, neither the menaces, nor the attacks actually made, have been able to turn them from the obligations which they have contracted by oath, nor from the constitution which has subsisted until the present moment, and has been solemnly sanctioned by the last decree of the empire.- His Majesty, in his quality as Supreme Chief and Defender of the rights of the Germanic League, has opposed an energetic interference, addressed to his Electoral Highness the Elector of Bavaria, formally demanding that the status quo, relative to the Equestrian Order, should be re-established in all its relations, such as it existed before his Highuess took possession of the countries assigned to him as indemnities, and such as it has been solemnly guaranteed by the last decree of the General Diet: that it should not be troubled again in future with arbitrary steps and measures, and that for the particular differences that might exist, his Highness would never lose sight of what is prescribed by the decree of the Empire of 1753. That his Imperial Majesty expected from the character of the Elector, from his wisdom and his love of justice, that after having weighed with coolness this request of his Imperial Majesty, founded entirely upon the laws and the constitution, he would feel no difficulty to satisfy them completely, so much the more, as his Majesty the Emperor is firmly resolved, in his quality as Supreme Chief, and conformably with his duty, to maintain the tranquillity of the Empire, to protect, by ulterior measures, the immediate Equestrian Order against all violence and oppression. The undersigned, Vice Chancellor of the Empire, has the honour to communicate this supreme decision to the Envoy of the Equestrian Order, in order that he may communicate it to his companions, and that they may find in it new encouragement to continue invariably in the glorious firmness which they have displayed, and in their attachment to the Supreme Chief and to the Constitution. (Signed) PRINCE DE COLLOREDO MANSFIELD. Vienna, Dec. 3. DOMESTIC OFFICIAL PAPER. LETTER from Secretary Yorke, to the Lords Lieutenant of Counties, authorising the apprehension of such persons as may be clandestinely landed on the Coast, from Neutral Vessels. Dated Whiteball, Dec. 24. MY LORD, It having appeared that Dutch vessels from Holland, under Prussian colours, have been in the practice of resorting to the East Coast of England, for the double purpose of carrying on contraband trade, and conveying intelligence to the enemy, it has been judged proper to direct that they should in future be prevented from so doing between the Humber and the Downs, Yarmouth Roads and the Downs excepted. As, however, the measures taken for this purpose, may, in some instances, be eluded, by their putting persons clandestinely on shore, where the coast will permit of it, I am to desire that your Lordship will particularly point the attention of the Magistrates residing in the neighbourhood of the coast of Essex to this circumstance, in order that they may direct the Peace Officers, to be particularly watchful in discovering any persons of this description, and in bringing them before the Magistrates to be examined; in which case I should wish that the result may be trans mitted to me as speedily as possible.—I have the honour to be, &c. C. YORKE. which it was performed, are to be distinctly specified in the first pay list which shall be transmitted to the War Office after the appointment takes place.All adjutants and serjeant-majors who are placed on permanent pay, are to consider themselves as, at all times, at the disposal and under the commanding officer of the corps for the time being, and are expected to give their attendance whenever required, for the drill, good order, and management of the corps. which the whole system is founded, and have resolved to allow of adjutants and serjeant majors on permanent pay to corps of the different descriptions of force, consisting of the following numbers, without any other conditions or restrictions than such as may be applicable to the whole volunteer establishment.Cavalry. -To every corps, consisting of not less than 300 effective rank and file of cavalry, an adjutant on permanent pay will be allowed.-[Pay when not called out into actual service, 6s. per day, 2s. ditto for a horse.]-To every corps of cavalry under 300 rank and file, but consisting of not less than three troops of 40 effective rank and file each, a serjeant major will be allowed on permanent pay.Pay when not called out into actual service, 3s. 11d. per day, including 9d. for a horse ] -It is not intended by this arrangement, to make any alteration as to the appointment of adjutants or serjeant majors without pay. They will still be allowed to corps of sufficient strength, as directed by the militia laws, and as before pointed out by the War. Office regulations of the 28th of September, 1803. His Majesty's Lieutenant of the SUMMARY OF POLITICS. Infantry.-To every corps of infantry, (including artillery) consisting of not less than 500 effective rank and file, one adju. tant, and one serjeant major, on permanent pay, will be allowed-[Pay when not called VOLUNTEER SYSTEM.Some time ago, out into actual service, 6s. per day; ditto of the dangers to be apprehended from the hos serjeant major, ditto 1s. 6d. per day, and tility of the enemy occupied men's minds; 2s. 6d. per week extra.]—To every corps but now, the danger of the Volunteer-sysof infantry, consisting of not less than 300 tem, that system which was to save us from effective rank and file, one adjutant, but no the enemy, has absorbed every other. The sarjeant major, will be allowed on perma- pert right honourable relation" is said to nent pay.-[Pay 6s. per day as above.] have told Mr. Windham, that he appeared To a corps of infantry, under 300 effective "determined to have the last word about the rank and file, but consisting of not less than "volunteers." Would to God it had been three companies of 60 privates each, one ser- the last word! but the 66 right honourable jeant major will be allowed on permanent "relation" will find, it is to be feared, that pay.-[Pay as above, 1s. 63. per day, and the affair of the volunteers will not end in 2s. 6d. per week extra.]-When the corps the use of words. Upwards of eighteen to which the adjutants and serjeant majors months ago, I expressed my apprehensions, are appointed shall be called out on actual that the " Clerk would out-live the l'ells;' service by competent authority, these staff and, though I am not very apt to despair, I officers will receive the pay of their respec- must confess, that those apprehensions have tive ranks, as in the line. The adjutants been considerably increased by the rise and are to be recommended by the Lords Lieu- progress of the volunteer systein; a system tenants, for his Majesty's approbation, in the by which the corporal and mental cuergies, usual manner; but no recommendation of by which the patriotism, loyalty, liberality, an adjutant can be attended to, unless the and even courage, by which all the resources person recommended has served at least four and all the public virtues of the country, years as a commissioned officer, or as a ser- are turned against itself, and made to work jeant major in the regulars, embodied mili- together for its destruction.--Since the tia, fencibles, or East India Company's ser- publication of the preceding sheet, in which vice; and the recommendation must likewise I endeavoured to call the attention of the distinctly express the actual period of the ser- public to this fearfully important subject, vice of the person recommended, and specify there have appeared some official docuthe particular corps in which that service was ments, on which it will be necessary to performed.--Serjeant majors may be ap make a few observations. But, previously, pointed by the commandant of the corps, I think it right to correct an error in my from among persons who have served at statement relative to the scandalous proleast three years as non commissioned offi- ceedings, at Chester. It appears, that Macers, in his Majesty's regular, embodied mi-jor Wilmot was not insulted by the volurlitia, or fencible forces; and the period of such service, and the particular corps in tecrs of that place, at the time of their break ing open the jail. This gentleman, here fore, seeing the statement in the Register of distributed in this city this morning. In it I was astonished to find some circumstances, regarding myself and the corps I "have the honour to belong to, most grossly mis"represented, and, in respect to myself "containing as great a falsehood as ever was published. He says: "on receiving 66 66 a refusal, they were proceeding to at"tack the jail, when one of the officers, "Major Wilmot (a gentleman who had ""served long in the regulars), came up, 66 in his regimentals, and, after urging them in vain to desist, declared he ""would put the first of them to death, "that attempted to force the jail; upon ""which he was iminediately seized by "the volunteers, who pinioned his arms, 66 66 some of them calling out, at the same ""time, down with him, and others, break "the sword over his head. By the assis❝tance of some friends he was rescued - from them unhurt." -And, in another part he says: "and, at the end of ""some days, peace was restored.". "The above statement, I declare to you, 66 upon my honour and word, is false, in every sentence, word, and line, except "that part in the circumflex, which says 66 66 26 (a gentleman, who had served long in "the regulars.") -To the above I am "ready to make oath, and transmit to you "if you think proper.-I am, &c. &c. &c. "JOSEPH WILMOT, 1st Major Royal Ches ter Volunteers.-Post Script. I take the "liberty to inform you, that, conformably "with your directions, a regimental court of compared to several of the others, cannot, when speaking of a statement drawn from sources such as mine were, be fairly called a "falsehood;" and, Major Wilmot may rest assured, that the public, instead of participating in his "astonishment," at the incorrectness of my statement, will be astonished at its correctness; and, he may also rest assured, that the few remaining advocates of the volunteer system will be greatly mortified to find, in his contradiction of one comparatively insignificant fact, a confirmation of a statement, in which the corps, that he has "the honour to belong to," is charged with having broke open one of the king's prisons, rescued a prisoner, chaired him through the streets of a city, tore down the king's flag, and dragged it in the kennel.The Major states, that the Register was "distributed" in the city of Chester; and I only wish to observe, on this expression, that, the Register was distributed through the Post-Office only, and to persons who receive it from the news-men in London; or, at least, that I neither sent any copies to Chester, nor know of any having been sent. He says, that every "sentence, word, " and line," of what he has quoted from the Register is false; but, how does he make out that it was false to say: "And, at the end "of some days, peace was restored ?" He certainly does not mean, that peace was not restored at the end of some days; but, on the other hand, it is hardly credible, that he can wish the Secretary of State to believe, that peace was restored on "the evening of "the 28th of December," when he must have been aware, that the Secretary of State had been informed, that, on the 29th of December, the magistrates wrote to Prince William of Gloucester, declaring, that without the aid of troops, they could not answer for the safety of the city? If this was the state of the city on the 29th, and if the city was crowded with people from the country to look at the ravages of the volunteers, and if the militia sent in to protect the city remained there for a fortnight, will it be believed, that my correspondent was guilty of a falsehood, in stating that," at the end of inquiry has been assembled some days. "The proceedings, it is thought, will be for"warded to the Lord Lieutenant of the "County to-morrow. And I have the "pleasure to add, that the town has been "perfectly quiet ever since the evening of the "28th of December, 1803. Upon this letter it is not necessary for me to say much more, than that I am very glad to be able to lay it before those who have read my statement of the disgraceful affair in question; because, it is perfectly consonant with my interest as well as my inclination, to promulgate the truth. As, however, Major Wil-wiped off the disgrace which the corps in mot's letter talks of "falsehood" contained in my statement, I must just observe, that, a misstatement as to one circumstance amongst so many, and that one of inferior importance, when some days, peace was restored?"-Upon the whole, therefore, I am afraid, that the volunteer system, and particularly the corps that Major Wilmot has "the honour to be"long to," will derive but little benefit from his letter. If, on the one hand, he has curred from having been thought to assault their Major, on the other, it loses the honour which it enjoyed in a reported instance of the good and gallant conduct of that offi cer. Amidst the scandal and infamy of the scene this conduct afforded us some little consolation: we saw, in the Chester volunteers, one man, whose respect for the laws and the magistracy led him to endeavour, at least, to prevent the atrocious outrage; but now, alas! we find, that the only part of the statement which was incorrect was that which afforded us this transitory glimpse of hope!As to other and new instances of disagreement, indiscipline, and approaching confusion, the mass of materials is so great, so numerous are the cases of every description, that I know not where to begin. I could have filled two such sheets as this with the letters, which, since the 11th instant, I have received upon the subject. The proceedings in the Loyal (they are all loyal or regal, at Chester they are royal, it seems) Volunteers of Southwark embrace some instances of ministerial interference, and, therefore, they shall have the precedence. The quarrels in this corps were men. tioned in the former sheet; but the statement was imperfect, and unaccompanied with the official documents, which I shall now insert at full length, because, as expressing the determination of ministers on a point of very great importance, they must be generally interesting.-Early in, the present month the dispute arose between Mr. Colonel Tierney and the men of the 3d company of his Southwark regiment, who transmitted to him the following note and accompanying resolutions: The third company, with the utmost respect, take the liberty of conveying their sentiments on the intended appointment of their officers to Colonel Tierney. They earnestly request that he will not consider their conduct as any failure in that esteem they have always entertained for him, but what they conceive to be due to their own independence. They flatter themselves that Colonel Tierney's liberal and exalted mind, will induce him not to think unfavourably of them on the present occasion. They beg him to accept their most sincere wishes for his health and happiness. --Jan. 6, 1804. At a general meeting of the third company of Loyal Southwark Volunteers, on the 6th of Jan. 18c4 It was unanimously resolved, First-hat it having been declared, at the formation of this corps, that the officers commanding the same should be chosen by the voice of the majority of the individuals composing it, which system was actually followed at the appointment of all the officers, in the first instance-and this also being the practice of all other volunteer corps, as well as the understood meaning of the act of Parliament on this subject, we, the members of this company, do declare, that we consider this right 10 remain with us at this time; and that it will be so as long as we act together as a volunteer body.. Secondly-That we have learnt with considerable surprise, that, on the application of Serjeant Rose, sent by the voice of the company, for the vacant situation of second lieutenant, he was refused, on the ground of a stranger to the company having alicady received the appointment-and that even without the least notice thereof being given to us. Thirdly-That the company cannot but consider themselves, in this instance, treated with unme. rited contempt; and are therefore determined not to act but under officers who have been regularly proposed to them, and received their approbation. Fourthly-That these resolutions, af er hav ing received our signatures, shall be presented to our colonel commandant, by one or more members of the company, in the hope that he will be pleased to take them into his immediate consideration, and return us that favourable answer to our feelings which we flatter ourselves, from his known attention to the welfare of the regiment, and the rights of individuals composing it, he will not hesitate to do. With proper deference, we subscribe ourselves, &c. &c. &c. (Signed by several members of the company.) Upon receiving this billet-doux, it appears, that Mr. Colonel Tierney repaired to Mr. Secretary Yorke, who, of course, required a statement in writing, which, after a conciliatory effort had been made by his direction, was sent him under date of the 10th instant, in the following words: SIR-I send you herewith an exact copy of the resolutions of the 3d company of the Loyal Southwark Volunteers, the substance of which I yesterday communicated to you; they are signed by one serjeant, and by all but four of the privates; the ensign (both the captain and lieutenant having some days back ebrained permission to resign) appears not to have known of the proceeding. According to your directions I this morning attended the parade, and, in the presence of the whole regiment, after stating the nature of the offence, ordered the men who had signed the resolutions, to deliver up their arms and accoutrements, which they accordingly did. I informed them that I should lay before you the circumstances of their conduct, and wait to know his Majes ty's pleasure upon it.With respect to the nomination of officers having been given to the members of the association when the corps was first embodied, the fact undoubtedly is as stated in the resolutions; but I never understood that occasional vacancies were to be filled up by the choice, and at the pleasure of the company in which they might happen to occur; and I have uniformly and publicly declared, that after the regiment was once formed, I could allow of no further elections.- In the only case of a vacan cy, which, excepting that now in dispute, has ta ken place since our original establishment, I recommended the new officer to the lord lieutenant, without, in any way, consulting the privates of the company to which he was to belong, and his appointment was received as a matter of course. I cannot allow myself to conclude without stating to you, that, however culpable, in a military point of view, the conduct of the individuals in question may have been, I have every reason to icly on their attachment to his Majesty, and their readiness to meet any danger in the defence of their country.I must beg that you will, as soon as possible, give me your instructions as to what further steps I am to take in this very unpleasant business. I have the honour to be, &c, &c. &c.-GEORGE TIERNEY, |