titions from the merchants, &c. of Leeds and Wakefield, against the Paper and Pafteboard Duty.

REGULATION OF THE MILITIA.

The Secretary at War brought forward his plan, the outline of which is to augment the Militia of England to 60,000; that of Scotland to 12,000 men. His majefty is to be authorised to call out any proportion of this number, whenever it may be deemed expedient.

They are to be exercited twenty-one days in each year, and the annual expence is not to exceed 240,000l.

They are to be inrolied in four distinct claffes. Firft, young, unmarried men. Secondly, married men, without children. Thirdly, married men, who have only one child. And, Fourthly, elderly and married men, who have more than one child.

They are to be divided thus, in order that the Lieutenants of Counties may have a better opportunity of felection, whenever the public emergency may not require the whole of the militia to be embodied.

WEDNESDAY, April 14.-The Parifh Apprentice Bill was read a third time and paffed.

The Militia Regulation Bill, and the Bill for granting a duty on Exports and Imports to his Majefty, were read a fecond time.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer moved, for a Committee, to take into confideration certain acts relative to the reduction of the National Debt; which being agreed to,

The Chancellor faid, his firft object was to confolidate the National Debt; fecondly, To propofe a plan to accelerate its extinction. The amount of the exifting taxes, he faid, was little short of 30,000,000l. the capital of the debt incurred was 483,000,000l. In the year 1786, an act was paffed for applying a million annually to redeem the exifting debt; and in the year 1792, another act was paffed for establishing a fund to difcharge the future debt that might be incurred. When the amount in the hands of the commiffioners was 4,000,000l. the intereft arifing therefrom was to be left to the difpofal of Parliament. He now proved, that it fhould proceed with compound intereft, together with other funds as agreed upon in 1792. Thus the fum raifed for extinguishing one per cent. of the fucceffive loan, was to form an aggregate with the other fum, for extinguifhing the whole of the old debt. From the prefent plan, the whole of the debt would

be extinguished in the courfe of 45 years. This meafure had alfo the additional recommendation of precluding the neceffity of raifing 900,000l. additional taxes the prefent year. After entering into calculations on this fubject, he moved his refolutions, confifting of four. The chairman then reported progrefs, and obtained leave to fit again on Monday feʼnnight.

The bill for granting a duty to his Majefty on Servants, &c. and the bill for granting a duty on Beer and Malt, were brought up, agreed to, and ordered to be read a third time to-morrow. Adjourn ed till Thursday, April 22. THURSDAY, April 15. The Speaker was fummoned to the Lords-on his return, he acquainted the House, that the Royal affent had been given by commiffion to the Loan Bill, the Window and Houfe Duty Bill, the Irish Revenue Collection Bill, the Irish Corn Trade Bill, and to feveral private Acts.

Mr. Vanfittart moved, that the House, at its rifing, fhould adjourn to Wednesday next.

Mr. Elliott declared he could not poffibly allow an adjournment to take place before he enquired of his Majefty's Minifters when the Ratification of the Defi nitive Treaty was expected to arrive.

Mr. Addington obferved, he felt defirous to give every information upon the points ftated by the Hon. Gentleman, which he poffibly could. With regard to the firft, he had every reafon to fuppofe, that the arrival of the Ratification of the Definitive Treaty was not very diftant, but that did not depend upon his Majefty's Minifters. Refpecting the time allowed after laying the treaty before the Houfe and its confideration, that did not fo much depend upon Minifters as upon the Hon. Gentleman and his friends. The comments of the Hon. Gentleman he muft, however, remark, were improper, as the document upon which they were founded was not before Parlia ment. Minifters would juftify their conduct refpecting the treaty, but they would not do fo until it had been laid before the Houfe, and then they would do it upon the day fixed for its confideration.

Mr. Elliot explained, and Mr. Vanfittart's motion was put and carried.

The Malt, Beer, and Hops Duty Bill, and the Affeffed Taxes Bill, were feverally read a third time and paffed.

The Militia Regulation Bill went through the committee. The report was received, and ordered to be taken into

con

the mean time to be printed.

Adjourned to Wednesday next. WEDNESDAY, April 21. Mr. Per cival, now his Majefty's Attorney General, took the oaths and his feat for Northampton.

A new writ was ordered for Cambridgefhire, in the room of the late General Adeane.

In a committee of fupply, it was agreed to grant certain allowances to fubaltern officers of Militia, and to make provifion for the payment of the Militia in Great Britain, during the current year.

The Houfe in a Committee on the Bill for continuing the restrictions on the cafh payments on the Bank,

The Chancellor of the Exchequer went over the principle arguments he had ufed on a former evening, to fhew the expediency of preventing the exportation of fpecie or bullion at a time when the courfe of exchange was greatly against us; and concluded with moving to fill up the firft blank in the bill with words purporting that it fhould remain in force till the firft of March, 1803.

Mr. Tierney, Mr. M. A. Taylor, the Attorney General, Mr. Jones, Mr.Dent, Mr. Simeon, and Mr. Vanfittart, repeated feveral of the obfervations that had Been introduced in the preceding ftages of this bufinefs; after which the refolutions were agreed to.

Mr. Vanfittart obtained leave to bring a bill, empowering the Lords of the Treafury to iffue Exchequer Bills on the credit of any fupplies granted or to be granted for the year 1802.

In reply to a queftion from Mr.Thornton, Mr. Vanfittart faid it was not intended to extend the iffue of Exchequer Bills beyond the five millions mentioned By the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the loan was contracted for.

Read the first time a bill for regulating

the fale of certain articles of manure.Adjourned.

THURSDAY, April 22. A petition was prefented from the debtors in the gaol of Eifherton, in Northamptonshire, praying relief.

Mr. Alexander brought up the report of the committee of fupply, which was agreed to.

A bill was ordered to be brought in, to regulate the importation of French wines in bottles and flafks.

Lord Tawkesbury prefented a petition from the proprietors of the Weft India Docks. His Lordship faid, the Docks for the import trade were fo far com

opening by the middle of July, and the object of the petition was to obtain a modification of the Act of Parliament, fo that fhips from the Weft India Dock fhould be permitted to go into the Import Dock, as the fame fhall be completed, and proper notice given. The petition was referred to a committee.

Mr. Dent moved for leave to bring in a bill, to extend the provifions of the the Act relative to the oaths to be taken by Members to ferve in Parliament.

Upon the report of the Bank Reftriction Bill being brought up,

Mr. Jones propofed a claufe, to restrain the Governor and Company of the Bank from iffuing notes to an amount which, with their debts, would exceed their capital of 11,000,cool. and their actual amount of gold and filver.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer and tion to the claufe, which was rejected, Mr. Dent poke a few words in oppoliand the report was agreed to.

Mr. Corry obtained leave to bring in a bill for reftraining the payment of fpecie by the Bank of Ireland, for a time to be limited.-Adjourned.

FRIDAY, April 23. Sir Richard Hill prefented a petiton from the town of Wallingford and the borough of Newark, against the practice of bull-baiting.

The report of the Committee on the petition of the Weft-India Dock Company was agreed to, and a Bill purfuantthereto ordered to be brought in.

A petition from the Coal-meters of Weftminster, praying for leave to bring in a Bill to regulate their profeffion, wasi referred to a Committee.

Read the firft time a Bill to continue the refraint upon the payment of fpecie by the bank of Ireland; and also a Bill

to amend the laws relative to the warehousing of coffee, rum, and fugar imported, and regulating, the drawback on fugar exported.

The Bank Restriction Bill was read a third time, and passed.

In a Committee of Ways and Means it was refolved; that the pay and cloathing of the Militia for 1802, and the allowances to fubaltern officers during peace, fhould be provided for out of the Land Tax for 1802.

Mr. Alexander brought up the Report of the Bill for repealing the Income Taxi when a claufe was added for compelling

the

the payment of all arrears due thereon, and for compelling Commiffioners to do their duty; and, in cafes where they neglected the fame, to appoint new Commiffioners; which being agreed to, it was ordered for a third reading on Monday-Adjourned.

AT the laft meeting which took place in Downing-ftreet, to fettle the terms of the lottery, the Chancellor of the Exchequer informed the gentlemen of his propofal, which was, that there fhould be three lotteries in the year, amounting in the whole to 900,000l.The depofit to be 11. 10s.-The number of tickets to be go,000, or not to exceed 100,000, or be fewer than 80,000. -Discount on prompt payment, 41. per cent. The drawings to begin on the 2d of Auguft, 29th of November, and 2d of April, 1803.-No Irifh lottery.No prize to exceed 30,000l. or be under 171.-Each new office to pay sol. licence, and every fubordinate one in the country, ol.-Each office to take so tickets. Stamp Office receipts not to be transferable. The drawings to take place only two days in the week; and no drawing to exceed eight days for each lottery.-Hours of drawing between fix in the morning and eight in the evening. The firft payment to be made on the 28th of May.

After a long clofe, St. Margaret's Church, Westminster, was opened on Sunday last, and the occafion collected a very numerous congregation, which in cluded a great number of Architectural Artifts and Mufical Cognofcenti. The Church has undergone a complete repair, ornamental and fubftantial; the tasteful execution of which does very great credit to the abilities of Mr. Cockrell, the furveyor, under whofe direction it was conducted, and proves him to be thoroughly acquainted with the merits and beauties of gothic architecture. A very fuperb and melodious organ has been built, which was opened on this occafion by Mr. Wefley, the fon of the late Rev. Mr. Welley, who discovered confiderable fcience and felicity of execution: indeed, the powerful and commanding tones of this organ are Vol. II, Churchm. Mag. May, 1802.

A motion made by Mr. Vanfittart, that the House should on Monday refolve itself into a Committee on the Provifional Cavalry Act, was agreed to.Adjourned.

NEWS.

fo captivating as to fix the attention irrefiftibly of the audience, and to fafci nate them with the concord of fweet founds. The fwell is particularly dif tinguished by the crefcendo & diminuendo, which it difplays in the greatest perfection. The trumpet ftop poffeffes a fweetness of found, which, with the other fuperior qualities of this charming inftrument, produces a moft majestic and fublime effect. The facred structure of St. Margaret's Church may be confidered as the National San&uary; the expence of beautifying and improving of which, has been defrayed by the munificence of Parliament, whofe liberality has been equal to their exalted character.

By the parochial returns of the clergy, of the number of acres under tillage, which, however, are far from correct,

it

appears that there were nearly feven millions of acies of corn grown in England in the year 1801, and of those about 1,400,000 acres of wheat.

On Wednelday the 19th of May was celebrated the Anniverfary of the Afylum. The Lord Bishop of Oxford preached a most excellent fermon on the occafion, which we fincerely lament that many of the friends of the charity were prevented from hearing by the extreme wetness of the morning. In the afternoon a very numerous meeting of guardians and friends dined together at the London Tavern; the Marquis Cornwallis, the prefident, after an abfence of fome years on most important fervices, again took the chair, fupported by the Lord Chief Baron, the Bishop of Oxford, and 'Sir William Dolben. The warmest approbation was expreffed when Mr. Aiderman Cadell, who has been eight years treasurer, ftated the very flourishing ftate of the charity. At chapel, and after dinner, the fum of 200l. was collected. Several gentlemen came forward as perpetual and annual guardians. The

Pp

evening

evening was spent with much cheerfulnefs, and enlivened with feveral excellent fongs.

On Thursday the 6tlf of May, the annual Mufic Meeting, for the benefit of the Sons of the Clergy, took place in St. Paul's Cathedral, when Handel's beft works were performed, in a grand style, before a long lift of Bishops, many of the nobility, and a very full and fplendid audience; a fermon was preached. The company afterwards dined at Merchant Taylors Hall. The collection made was as follows: at the rehearsal 521.; at the cathedral, 1881.; after dinner, 5351.

The bill now before Parliament, for amending what is commonly called the Lords' Act, contains a clause respecting Members of Parliament who may be fued for debt, by which it is propofed to be enacted, "That it shall be lawful for any creditor of any perfon having privilege of parliament (having obtained judgment in any court of record) to fue out a fummons against fuch pri vileged perfon; and if fuch privileged perfon fhall not, within one year after perfonal fervice of fuch fummons, fatisfy fuch creditor his debt and cofts, fuch privileged perfon fhall be compellable to difcover, deliver up, and affign, all his property, real and perfonal, for the benefit of his creditor or creditors, in the fame manner as if he had been charged in execution for and during the fpace of one year, and fhall for that purpose be fubject and liable to all the provifions of the A&t herein recited, and of this Act."

By fome relics of antiquity which have lately been brought to light in the parish of St. Martin in the Fields, it appears that malefactors were formerly executed in that diftrict, before the fatal ceremony took place at Tyburn. It appears alfo, that the hero of Lillo's celebrated tragedy, George Barnwell, was the laft victim of offended juftice who fuffered upon that ancient scite of capital punishments.

SIR R. PEELE'S APPRENTICE BILL.

The bill now before Parliament, for the prefervation of the health and morals of apprentices employed in cotton and other manufactories," contains a variety of very falutary regulations. No apprentice is, in common cafes, to be compelled to work more than twelve

hours in each day, exclufive of the time employed at different meals. In cafes where, on account of holidays, a toppage of work takes place, masters are authorised to employ their apprentices for two hours longer, till the time thus loft has been made up; but the labour is never to be protracted beyond fourteen hours in one day. In fome part of every working day, apprentices are to be inftructed in reading, writing, and arithmetic, in a manner proportioned to their age and abilities, by teachers properly qualified. Once in every week they are to be instructed and examined in the principles of the Chriftian religion; and in cafe these apprentices fhall be of the Church of England, they shall, at least once a year, be examined by the rector, vicar, or curate, of the respective pa rishes where the factories are fituated; and, on attaining the age of eighteen, they are to receive confirmation. The justices of the peace are to appoint vifitors for infpecting the state of the different factories, and fee that the various regulations of the act are properly ob ferved, One of thefe vifitors is to be a juftice of the peace, and the other a clergyman of the church of England. The regulations of the act are enforced by fevere penalties. From this fhort abstract it will be feen, that the evils which are at present so justly the subject of complaint, will be in a great meature removed, and that the fituation of a very numerous part of the labouring young people of this country will be very materially ameliorated.

Eighty-eight thousand feamen being voted for one month only, a confequent reduction of 42,000 men in that depart ment has alfo taken place.

A remarkable inftance of the tranf tion of fortune lately occurred in Worces ter. A private in the 5th dragoons was immured in prifon for defertion, and in daily expectation of exemplary punish ment; when a gentleman arrived from Ireland with an account of the death of a relation, who had left him 4000l. per annum !

A third new Planet.-By the excel. lence of modern glaffes, and the dili gence of modern, aftronomers, another difcovery has now been made, to be added to thofe of the Herfchell and Piazzi Planets: Dr. Olbers, at Bremen, on the