A Hundred Years Ago

THE " SPECTATOR," JANUARY 29TH, 1831.

on a The French journals have supplied a document, which may be

termed " the groans of the Poles." It is the manifesto (of which last week, we had only the concluding paragraph) issued by the Diet to vindicate the conduct of their unhappy and oppressed countrymen, in their revolt against one of the most bloody, remorseless, and unsanctified tyrannies, that ever disfigured the face of a civilized Europe. The dismemberment of Poland is fresh in the memories of all freemen : and a terrible, though it may be a late vengeance, will not fail to visit the spoilers.

THE COURT AT BRIGHTON.

His Majesty entertained the Duke of Wellington and a large party of military officers on Friday last week. The Duke left Brighton on Monday. His visit is said to have been connected with his office of Constable of the Tower, though attributed to a negotiation of highest import by the quidnuncs of the day.

SPECIAL CONSTABLES.

Lord Melbourne has addressed a circular to the Lords Lieutenant of counties, suggesting the propriety of dispensing with the future services of special constables, which are no longer generally required, and the continuance of which, it is feared, will interfere with plans for calling out the Militia.

SLAVE TRADE.

From the statements of the Captain of the Primrose, which arrived from the Southern coast of Africa lait Friday, it would appear that the-slave trade is nearly extinct. The King of Loango lately brought down sixty slaves to the shore, without being able to find a purchaser : they were immediately slaughtered by the royal command, his majesty not having provisions to spare for their keep.

PROPOSAL FOR UNITING ENGLAND AND IRELAND.

O'Connell is said to intend that meetings for the repeal of the Union shall be held in a steam-boat, to be moored without the jurisdiction of the Irish Government. He would have shown more sense by proposing that the question should not be discussed, either by Englishmen or Irishmen, except in a ship to be stationed midway between the two countries.

THE " QUARTERLY REVIEW" versus. THE POLITICAL ECONOMISTS.

As a literary and critical journal, the Quarterly Review occupies the very first place : but in politics and political economy it is below the level of that Twopenny Trash it so fiercely abuses.

WORKS OF HUMOUR.

The burletta of " Tom Thumb," with designs by George Cruik. shank, adds another group of fun to his gallery of comicalities. The .horse-marine Amazon Gluindalca is prodigiously droll : slae is a compound of scullion, fish-wife, and baaket-woman—Abra- hamides in petticoats : her look and attitude in the frontispiece are inimitable. The King and Queen, Grizzle and Huncamunca, are not so good—they want character : and the Thumb-hero is only droll by virtue of his littleness. The designs nevertheless are rich and well cut.

PRICES. OF PROVISIONS.

.. per sack 63/- to 65/- - „ „ 651- to 60/-- 2/- to 3/.-- ; . per cwt. 25].= to 34/-- Town made Flour Seconds

Leonesa Wool .. Jamaica-Coffee