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English Miscellanies
(From the latest English papers.)
BALLOT.-The journals are occupied with
discussions on the propriety of adopting the
ballot in popular elections, and the ques
tion unavoidably forces itself upon general
attention. There are strong asseverations on
both sides, and, so far as we can form a
definite judgment, few arguments at either
Great and remarkable prejudices prevail.
If the enquiry could be cleared of the mist
of passion, it would be found that difficulties
have been unnecessarily created, for the
sake of showing with what ease and brilliancy
they might be unravelled. So children
make card houses, that they may enjoy the
triumph of blowing them down.
The advocates of the ballot rest the ques-
tion upon the dependency of the electors
tinder the prerent system, and demand the
ballot, simply as a protection. The oppo-
nents of the ballot say, that secret voting
would induce hypocrisy and ft aud ; that the
-dependent electors woul J, of necessity, still
give their promises to their taskmaster,
while they would vote against him, thus
committing a lie in the exercise of a public
duty : or, that their votes would become
matter of notoiiety, and so the object of the
?ecret institution would be defeated.
It is clear, that both these objections
cannot hold good. They are put forward,
not as stron» blows, but as the feints of the
gladiator to dazzle and confuse. The op
powents of the ballot must abandon one or
the other. Either the ballot would produce
secresy or not : if it do not produce secresy,
then every objection toit falls to the ground.
But ne have a right to lake the secresy
for granted, for that is the object it
is designed and calculated to obtain. The
ballot, then, mutt be considered as a secret
mode of voting, which will enable the servile,
the timid, and the dependent, to obey the
dictates of their conscience without let or
hindrance.
The question is fairly stated, and it only
remains to be seen whether the good which
would be thus accomplished is of greater
amount than the evil to which it would in-
evitably give birth.
It is an undeniable proposition, that the
representative is responsible to his consti-
tuents for the manner in which he executes
his trust. On the same principle, the pri-
vileged constituency of each separate dis-
trict are responsible to the country at large,
and to the unprivileged classes, in particu-
lar, for the manner in which they executed
their trust. If their be responsibility any-
where it resides in the electors as well as
the elected. A legislator is answerable to
the community-he is not appointed to
make laws for local advantage, but for the
common good. The franchise that returns
him, therefore, is a public trust, and its dis-
charge is a legitimate subject of public opi-
nion is at nn end. The ballot, by institut-
ing the light of secret voting, would effec-
tually shut out this knowledge. We should
then stand in this position-our representa-
tives would be ¡responsble to their consti-
tuents-would be irresponsible to the coun-
try-an apparent, and» we suspect, an abso-
lute anomaly.
We merely throw this hint into the debate'
for we do not desire to embark in any ela-
borate examination of the question. Each
distinct constituency ought to be deemed
responsible or irresponsible. If the former,
the ballot ought to be adopted to complete
the power ol executing a public duty in
private. ,
It is said, however, that without the bal-
lot there is no protection for a very large
class of voters. We think that is a fallacy.
There is a protection, and +an effectual pro-
tection too. Enlarge the consituency, until
you gain in numbers a sufficient lever for in-
dependent action. Personal influence can-
not resist nnmeiical power. A master may
menace and punish his own servants for a
particular habit of speech or costume, but if
he find it gaining in all directions, and
swelling round him like the rising waters of
the ocean, he will no move think of setting
himself against it, than of erecting bart iers
against the floodi We know that the ballot
has become so popular, that it would be
difficult to persuade the multitude that their
exists any other way of securing tbJb free-
dom of their voices. It is because they aro
in love with the ballot, that they cannot
discern a charm in a less imposing nostrum.
Tlie ballot has had a start of puffing, and n
later suggestion comes out at a disadvantage.
But it is not the less forcible and practicable
on that account. With universal suffrage, bal-
lot would be absurd, because it would not
be unnecessary. And if the freedom of the
electoral body could be established, without
compromising their responsibility, we be-
lieve that even the advocates of secret
voting would be all the better pleased.
Atlas.
PORTUGAL. - Somo of the French
papers allege:-1. That a treaty exists between
Great Britain and Prance, to the tff.'ct that these
two powers will take coeicive measures to put an
end to tho present state of affairs in Portugal-2
That Don Pedro is to renew his abdication of the
throne of Brazil, OB well in his own name es in the
nome of himself and children, including the present
emperor.-S. 'fhat he shall be regent in Portugal
for his daughter.-4. That his daughter shall bo
proclaimed Queen only when she attains her ma-
jority-5. 'J bat Don Miguel should be proolairnod
King of the Brazilians,-6. That the two kingdoms
shall beever separated,-7' That the expenses of
the war shall be paid by the country.-8. That in
order to secure the execution of tbe treaty, the
Diitish government shall send an atmy, &o. to Por-
tugal, and the French government a force to Brazil.
-This arrangement is curious only as it supposes
the people of four nations wholly indifferent to the
conduct of then rule's.
'MUNICH.''-The university of Munich at
present contains 1,65o students, of whom 1,460 are
natives of Bavaria, and 190 foreigners. Among the
latter aie two Biazilions, thirteen Greeks, seven
Moldavians, and one nativo of Cape-town.
IIUSH PARLIAMENT.-In the debate on
the leather tax, 1795, in the Irish House of Com-
mons, the Chancellor ol the Exchequer (Sir John P.)
observed with greut emphasis, " that, in the prose-
cution of the present war, every man ought lo give
his ¿mt guinea to protect the remainder." Mr. Vnn
deleur said, that however, that might be, the tax on
leather would he stverely felt by ihe barefooted pea
santry of Ireland." To which Sir Boyle (touche re-
plied," this could he easily remedied by making the
under-feathers of wood.''
THE NEW PEERS,-The ¡Marquis of Ta-
vistock (Baron Howland,) and the Earl of Uxbri Ige
("Baron Paget ot Baudeaert), will, it is expected,
frank in name mid right of their respective baromee
and all legal instruments must be executed ¡n thoso
newly-acquired titles to render them valid. ' The
superior titles of Marquis of Tavistook and Earl of
Uxbridge being merely those of courtesy, aud not
recognised in law, the higher nomma! rank merges
in their lordships' new honours. It is remarkable
that lhere is no barony, nor even second title, in the
family of the Earl of Derby-the only one in the
peerage so circumstanced, so that Lord Stanley's
new barony munt be considered nn entire fresh
creation.
RETURN OF EMIGRANTS.-New
York, Dec !¿1-The ship Dalmatia, which sailed
yesterday for Liverpool, was EO orowded with pas-
sengers that the captain was under the necessity of
putting out two of them at the Hook, and sent them
back to the city. She had on board about 160 re-
turning to England, not being able to Cud employ-
ment.
QUICK TRAVELLING.-Lord London-
derry is stated to bave been speaking one night,
during the last Session, in the House of Lords, and
to have been at his own door in the county of Dur-
ham (250 miles) on tbe next.
COBBETT'S ACCOUNT OF HIS OWN
OnATony.-" Though I never attempt to put forth
that sort of stuff which the . intense' people on the
otherside of St. George s Channel, call 'eloquence,'
I bring out strings of very interesting facts ; 1 use
pretty powerful arguments, and 1 hammer them down
so closely upon the mind that they seldom fail io
produce a lasting impression."
IRISH BISHOPS.-We have been as-
sured, in a quarter likely to be well informed on the
subject, that the ministerial plan of church refoim
contemplates the abolition of two Irish orchbishop
ricks, and the reduction of the revenues of the re-
maining Ino to ¿£6900 a-year each j and that it IB
intended to aboiibb eiyht Irish bishopriis, and to
limit the revenues of the remaining bishops to¿£4000
a-year each.-Freemans Journal.
MANNERS OF THE SENATE.-A very
angry alterca'ion took place between Mr. Steele and
Mr James B. Butler on the hustings the last duy ci
the Clare election. Mr. Butler-" You ha, Sir."
Of Mr. A. Butler, Mr. Steele saul, if be threatened
to bring a mob into Ennis, to inteifure with the free
exeroise of the eleoltve franchise, he was a ruffian.
Mr A. Butler-'" You are a ruffiaa and a liar."
Lvntiitk Chámele.
À PREP ATTHB CITADEL.--ATrancU
colona] on the relirod list, who had.arrived from
Paris for the purpose of visiting', the city of
Antwerp, was in despair nt finding that, though
. ich nnd well known, he had no more chance of
faming his object than any common mon. Iii« va-
nity would not allow bim'io return deleated ; but,
at a loss how to succeed, he coiiBultod his friend
O'Farel, asking bun what he would do in <;imilnr
circumstnnoos. " I would immediately put on n
miser's jacket," said he, " which, being that of a
biavo man, would ho no dishonour lo me, and onter
the citadel with the party who are just Rolling out."
No sooner said flinn done. 'J he colonel put on the
miner's dross, mid soon found himsull in the intanor
of tho fortress. Scarcely had he passed the gate,
however, when General llulhiorcB appeared, and
gave orders for twenty men to bo counted od
and sent to work with all expedition. The dis-
guised colonel ninrcbed gaily at their head, and
being among the very foremost, was included in the
detachment, and set to labour in nn obscure spot,
without the slightest possibility of satisfying his
curiosity, and was kept at hard labour till four
o'olook, though be repeatedly attempted to explain
to the sergeant that he did not belong to the com-
pany of miners, being always silenced by some rude
command to mind bis work, and not lose his time in
talking. This adventure at length reached Marshal
Gerard, who, nftor being highly amused by it, com-
pensated til« colomd for his bad luck by sending him
an order to be admitted the next morning into the
citadel, and shown every thing ha wished to seo, and
General Rulhieres himself had the kindness )o re-
ceive him in person and accompany him to every
point of interest.
IRELAND.--PHONIX.-'If ever a man
were a phoenix, O'connell is that mau. Fust he
BBtablisbe.l the Catholic Association : when eman-
cipation was obtained, ha ohanged its name into',
somo other name, which we forget; then it was
changed into a National Union ; but the National
Union expired, and out of iis ashes sprung up the
Hep 'al Association ; but the association was Bpeedily
knocked on the head, and tbe dictator, for some
unaccountable reason, has turned it into an assembly
to be called " The Volunteers." Of a verity
O'connell moults like the birds. It is to be ob-
served that all these bodies, nominally differing, aro
jn reality one and the same. They are not half a
dozen associations, but one association : they are
not repealers, or unionists, or volunteers, ns tho case
may be, but repealers, and unionists, and volunteers
all together, be the .case as it may. There is no ac-
counting for tasto, and it is possible that there may
be more grace in the now title tban-in the old ones :
it is possible that a Bet of epouters who oould not
gaiu publio respect under one name may fix the
popular regards in another. The people, like Juliet,
may do much "for the dear nome's sake." Kout
venons. But it strikes us that the Volunteers is '
not a very lucky hit of O'Connoll's. The old Volun-
teers, under Lord Charlemont,'stood justly high in
the estimation of the Irish people; they formed a
fine bulwark for popular rights, and placed them*
selves exactly between a corrupt government and
the fierce democracy of the country ; but they com
vraitted one fatal mistake-they dissolved their insti-
tution just at the critical moment when the demon-
stration of its strength wat not necessary.r Perhaps
the new Volunteers may imitate this part of the
conduct of their prei'ocussors.
POLICE, MANSION HOUSE,--STARVING
ACTORS.-On Wednesday, Timothy Martin, a poor
looking fellow, who had received a good education,
was brought up, charged upon suspicion of having
stolen the hind quarters of a sheep.
The prisoner was seen trudging along the street
under his greasy burden, and upon being asked by
an officer where he got the meat, he said that a per
son had employed him to carry it to the lower end
of Bishopsgate street. He assured the Lord Mayor
that he never had, although miserably poor, com- ¡
mitted a dishonest act.
Tho Lord Mayor-. "You seem to be above your
present condition. Have you not been a singer?"
The prisoner-" Yes, my lord, and I could earn
a good livelihood at that profession, but I haven't
as much clothes on me as would scour a spit. The
whole trade of acting is falling into rain; so
that whenever I have gone to sing or recite of late
I have found several rivals from the theatres in the
field. But, for all that, I would not despair if I had
a little toggery."
The Lord Mayor-" I am afraid thatyour brethren
at the theatres are very badly off, and it is a melan-
choly thing to see a person who is capable of amu-
sing a room apprehended on suspicion of stealing a
side of mutton."
The prisoner-" I was glad of the offer of a trifle
for carrying the meat."
The Lord Mayor.-" Well, I don't think you got
the meat dishonestly ; and I hope I shall never see
you here again in such a character."
The prisoner-" You never shall, my lord ; but
I hope you will have no objection to let me describe
this event in a poetical way. I can dress it up in a
bit of a dialogue in Tom Hudson's style."
The Lord Mayor-"'Tis an honest, but a very
doubtful way of living, and will always make you
poetical about the pockets." His lordship then gave
the poor fellow a pair of shoes, and sent him off to
compose.
THE REPEAL BILL.-At the "Water-
ford election Mr. I'.ogrr Hayes, the repeal candi-
date. Minde the following official announcement :
" O'connell has the bill drawn up that is to be
brought in lo repeal the union. The bill is com-
plete ; every office in this country is already filled
up by O'connell, from the Chancellor down to the
doorkeeper !"
CHEAP CATS.-The Liverpool Chro-
nicle says it has some pretty anecdotes in store rela-
tive to tho late election in that borough, " of cats
sold fpr ten pounds, and pokers for five pounds."
VISITING BY STEAM.--On Saturday
last Mr. Nathaniel Ogle, accompanied by several
ladies, together with Mr. Babbage, Mr. C. Biscboff,
Mr. Macgary, Mr G. Burdett, and other gentlemen,
proceeded by his steam-carriage from the Bazaar in
King-street, Portman-square, to call on Mr. Roths-
child at his residence at Stamford-hill. The vehi-
cle, although it has been rattled over the roads
nearly six hundred miles, is in efficient condition.
A small quantity of waste steam was perceptible at
first, until the boilers and casing were hot. The
distance, full seven miles, was cleared, notwith-
standing the crowded state of the roads, in thirty
one minutes, and the sudden and narrow ascent to
Mr. Rothschild's made with perfect precision, which
was hardly to be expected from so long and ponde-
rous a vehicle. The party was most urbanely and
kindly received by Mr. and Mrs. Rothschild, and,
aftsr having partaken of refreshments, returned to
Baker-street.
ANTEDILUVIAN REMAINS.-In the
middle of last month two fishermen, being employed
on the banks of the Lippe, near the village of Absen,
in Westphalia, at a moment when the water was UM
precedentedly low, discovered a heap of bones lying
in the bed of the river, and conveyed them ashore.
It wes a superb specimen of a mammoth's head, in
excellent preservation, aud of an unusual size. For
instance, the four gundurs are from six to nine inches
in diameter, and the two tusks, one of which was
'found adhering to the chin-houo are between thtee
'and four feet in length. The fishermen parted with
their prize for a mere Bong, and It was conveyed to
Hdtern, where, we understand, ufter it had been
examined by two of the professors 'from Bunn, it
wns sold to (beni for the use of tha Zoological Mu-
seum in that university. A further search has been
made in the Lippe, but without success.
SIR DAVID BREWSTER.-We' under-
stand that Sir David BrewBier has wubin this lnst
week made two very remarkable discoveries which
promise to he of some use to science. In a new salt
discovered by Dr. William Giegory, viz.--nnoxi
late of chromium and potash, ha has detected the
extraordinary propeity that one ol its images formed
by double retraction is of a bright scarlet, while tho
other image is of u bright b'ue colour. In examinir g
the pure liquid, annhydrous nitrous acid, prepared
in the manner which is supposed to yield in its pu-
rest state, ha found that the acid consisted of two
separate fluids, ona of which was heavier than the
other, and possessed a much higher refractive power
Wbeu the two fluids were shaken they foimed cn
imperfect union, aud separated again by being al-
lowed to lemain at rest. What the second fluid is
rennins to be investigated ; it may perhaps turn out
to be an entirely nsw «ubstance. Its physical pro-
perties tu» aw uqder investigation.-Cul, Ueitury,
ÍNKW SOUTH "WAXES "PAPBR.-The /
itudy of the advertisement* in one of the numbers of
jibs Sydney Gatelte presents an interesting subject of
consideration ; exhibiting a« tnuoli of the habits,
inoráis, and advancement of the colonists in cuili
pition, ne oan perhaps be derived from any other
pfluire. For example, in one number before us,
rifted Maroh 12 ol the present yoor, we find on an
wuiiccnient from iho government office, that, " the
undermentioned (12) persons have obtained cer-
tificates ot freedom during the past week;" that
"the ticketeof leave granted to the following (5)
pirtons boro boen camelled ;" the crimes for which
I e lattor deprivation had taken place ore " theft,"
" sie iling in u dwelling home," (old hnbils still sur
vving), "drunkenness and absence from divine
s rvico," "being concerned in a robbery," and
'(drunkenness while in c'inrge of property that was
stolen in consequence." Then follow announcements
o'»alp» of forfeited property by the Sheriff, " unless
tieso executions be previously saltshed," A
nieeting of the Agricultural and Horticultural Sa-
tiety is then called foi tho regulation of premiums
to be awardod at Parramatta ; the Liverpool and
Sydney rovul mail announces its fares at 1'. Gd. out
fide and 3s. inside ; and we may judge of the
Íinstance being somewhat considerable, and the
jahnrpo moderato, from the accompanying announce
¡usent-"No reduction of the fnres wubin 13 miles
f Liverpool or Sydney j and that the journey
coupies three hours and n half, from seven till h alf-
as t ten, at the rato of sixpenoo for an hour's ride.
[Evil disposed persons «re cautioned against eros
-ing the road m front of said coach, which oirbura
stance has several times oocurred, to the great
'danger and iiunoyanco of his Majesty's mail, as also
to the lives of passengers." Then comes " an Aus-
tralian Almanac for 1831 ;" we cannot tinderstund
the first part of the advertisement. " All the go»
¿rernment regulations leapecltng grants ot latid,
¡tickets of leave, and assigned servants, are given at
full length, bat in a consolidated jorm much mort
tompiate than they were ever published before."
£'hcre is also «' the Van Diemen's Land Anniversary
i nd Hobart Town Almanac ;" and we find the an-
nouncement of n hut we have no doubt will surpris»
many of our readers : an announcement is given of
'/Murray's Austriul-Asiatio Review," to commence
on the 1st of March, to be published ev ry six
weeks ; and a novel in three vols, called '. Quintus
Servitur," is stated to be in forwardness, with the
following very curious affiche, "as this woik is
printed expressly for transmission to England," thus
reciprocating our exports in the same line, "a few
copies only will bo reserved for sale in this colonv.1'
What the printers technically call the " imprint,'' or
name of the printer, in tho last page, is ornamented
in the way of our noble families, with a kanguroo
and, a flamingo for supporters. [We have just re-
ceived a formal offer to supply this office with
printer's ink I from the manufnetory of W.Walker,
surgeon, Sydney, New Snuih Wales IJ-Atlas.
MARSHAL BOURMONT.-A few days
after the appréhension of the Duchess« de Beni,
Marshal Bourmont was fortunate enough to effect
his escape fiom France. Alter encountering many
difficulties and dangers, he succeeded in findings
vessel, which conveyed him to England. 1 be fa-
tigues ho endured had so changed his apptarntice,
that his intimate friends could scarcely recognise
him. The 'raitor who delivered up ihe'duchesse to
Ganerol d'Eilon, used all his efforts lo bring the
marshal to the same house wherein the princess was
ooucetlod, in order that they might both be arrested
in the same coup de filet. After having agreed on
the price of his treachery towards his mistress, be
named v» certain sum for the betrayat of the marshal,
to which the geneial acceded-. M. de Bourmont.
was at thut moment in the house directly opposite
to the hotel of the general, and would have inevita-
bly been taken at the instant, had it not been for the
four that any movement of the police, or military
demonstration, might alarm the princess, and im-
pede the measures prepared against her. The order
was suspended, and in the interim the marshal
quitted Niintes. M. de Bourmont is now in London.
A LUCKY WOMAN.-A woman, aged
sixty-Seven, named Wykes, who resided in the
Castle-yard, was married to her fourth husband, at
St. Mary's church, on' Wednesday last.-Lei«jf<r
Chi onicle.
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