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POLITICAL RETROSPECT.

DOMESTIC.--In the produce of the revenue during the last quarter, compared with that of the preeeding year, there is a diminution of 3,256,000l. partly owing to the reduction of taxes and partly to the calamities of the period. The deficiency is considerable, but certainly less than might have been expected when all the circumstances are duly estimated. The year preceding was one of the greatest apparent national prosperity, and in which the lavish expenditure of individuals, and the general spirit of speculation, rendered the revenue more than commonly productive. The reverse has been the case during the last year; private expenditure has been as much contracted as possible, and as to commerce, it has scarcely existed. A fairer way of estimating this deficiency will be to compare the income of the past year with the average of that of a number of preceding ones. In this attempt we meet with another impediment to a just conclusion; the repeal of various taxes, amounting in the whole to about ten millions of annual revenue. result therefore of such a comparison must be less favourable than it ought to the income of the last year; but on that very account, if the deficiency should fail of being very great, it will be the more satisfactory.

The

The average revenue of the last ten years is 48,714,1697. that of the last of them 46,507,6761. leaving the deficit only 2,206,5201. We cannot tell how much of this arises from the repeal of taxes come into effective operation during these years; but taking that portion at 700,000l. the real decrease only amounts to about one

1.

million and a half-a sum far less than could have been expected, and therefore affording the most encouraging expectations.

PARLIAMENT. The new Parliament met November 14th, and the Session was opened by his Majesty in person, the Tuesday following. His speech affords a satisfactory view of the gradual restoration of our country's prosperity; and it is gratifying to find that all Foreign Powers continue to cultivate the relations of peace and friendly understanding. The friends of Greece have experienced some disappointment at not finding in his Majesty's Speech any particular allusion to the state of affairs in that country; yet surely the wish to check the "progress of existing hostilities," must be spoken with reference to Greece; whilst in the concluding clause of the same paragraph, his Majesty adverts to the endeavours used for preserving peace between Spain and Portugal in the Old, and the Brazils and Buenos Ayres in the New World.*

We receive with pleasure an assurance from such indisputable authority, that the commercial distress of the past year has not made any alarming impression on the wealth of the country. The opinion expressed by us as above, on the state of the revenue, is proved by this declaration to be correct. Although the late depression of trade has affected some of its sources, the internal consumption of the country has ex

"I am exerting myself with unremiting anxiety, whether singly, or in conjunetion with my allies, as well to arrest the progress of existing hostilities, as to prevent the interruption of peace in different parts of the world."

perienced so small a decrease, that the branch of it which arises from the Excise has sustained a very trifling diminution. We did not anticipate any addition to the burdens of the country; neither did we expect any repeal of taxes, assured that the deficiency in the revenue will only be a temporary matter, not requiring the former, though sufficient to prevent the latter.

The belief which is so confidently expressed in the Royal Speech of the improvement of commerce, is amply justified by the change which is gradually taking place in the manufacturing districts. Some fluctuations must however be expected, and will be felt, in times of the most settled prosperity; and consequently are to be looked for now, when the trade is but in the commencement of a recovery from such almost unprecedented distress. A slight depression at present retards the general improvement, and appears to arise chiefly from the blockade of the River Plate, and from the backwardness of the South American merchants, who have not yet sufficiently recovered from the effects of the commercial calamities of last winter. It is however anticipated, that the customary purchases at Christmas for the North American markets, will tend materially to increase the activity of our manufacturers.

Ministers are understood to entertain a desire that the proceedings of the House should be confined, during the sittings before Christmas, to the passing the Indemnity Bill alluded to in his Majesty's speech, and which the late admission of foreign grain, by virtue of an Order in Council, has rendered necessary: and to postpone the general discussion of the

Corn Laws, till the House meets after the Christmas recess. The necessity for such an admission was so manifest, from the unpromising appearance of the crops before the last harvest, and the distress of the manufacturing poor, that the House must be unanimous in their approbation of a measure which has been fraught with consequences so beneficial to the country.

HOLLAND. The internal commerce carried on upon the Rhine has been thrown open, but subject to certain regulations, by which it is confined to that channel named the Leek, and which, during part of the year, is scarcely navigable. This measure formed one of the leading articles of the Confederation of the Rhine, and bears testimony to the sound policy as well as enlightened views of the great man who then regulated the affairs of the states on the banks of that river. The boon once obtained and enjoyed, was too valuable to be relinquished; and, in spite of the selfish policy which always has, and, we fear, always will, prevail in Dutch counsels, has been again established, and, though loaded with the abovenamed restriction, cannot fail of being beneficial to a rich and extensive country. The free navigation of the Rhine formed also an article in the treaty of the Congress of Vienna, and has ever since that period been the subject of negociation between the Netherlands and those nations through which the Rhine flows, and who should certainly have insisted on having the privilege, when at last conceded, extended to the whole of the river,

SPAIN. As might have been expected, application has been made by the Spanish court to the

government of France, requiring their assistance in suppressing the constitutional form of government in Portugal, and urging their demand on the ground that the interference would be in perfect unison with the conduct of the French ministers towards Spain in 1823; and therefore they could not consistently refuse to unite with Spain in obliging the Portuguese to restore an arbitrary monarchy. The French government, notwithstanding this implication, has chosen to return a decided refusal to this request.

The King of Spain's health has lately assumed rather an alarming appearance. He labours under severe lethargic attacks, which overpower him during his public engagements, as well as in his private and unoccupied hours.

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PORTUGAL. Nothing can afford an Englishman, who truly values his national liberty, greater satisfaction, than to find the ally of his country capable of receiving and appreciating a state of freedom similar to her own. Such a consummation is fast approaching in Portugal. The affairs of that kingdom are settling in the most prosperous manner. The finances, that most important branch of political economy, present aspect favourable beyond all probability, after the long series of convulsions and mal-administration which has prevailed there. There is a deficiency, but to no alarming amount; and the minister feels himself in a situation to meet it, without imposing any new burdens on the country. The principal leaders of the late insurrection have been arrested, and will be proceeded against with all the rigour of the laws. The Infant Don Miguel has taken the prescribed oath to the constitutional

charter without hesitation or reserve; and the knowledge of this may produce a beneficial result in Portugal, by depriving his selfstyled partisans of the pretence they have hitherto used in opposing it, as also by convincing the nation in general that he has no communication with the rebels. Lord Beresford has left England for Portugal, and without doubt his presence, and his great and well-earned popularity among the Portuguese, will be of essential service to the new government.

GREECE. We hinted a month or two ago that the Greeks had been betrayed rather than served by some individuals in this country, professing to be their friends. The shameful transactions which, since that time, have been laid before the public, have fully corroborated the charge then made, and excited the just indignation of their countrymen against those persons who could thus traffic in the blood and miseries of a brave and oppressed people, struggling for freedom. Nor are the agents from the Greek nation undeserving of blame, for suffering their country so long to remain a prey to the cupidity of a few remorseless British and Americans.

The tardiness of Lord Cochrane in making his appearance in that country, to whose relief he declared himself to be hastening, has excited no small degree of astonishment and regret among those who know his Lordship's skill and bravery, and who are aware of the valuable assistance he is able to render at this critical juncture, when its numerous foes and treacherous friends have equally conspired to degrade and trample upon that unhappy, na

tion.

RUSSIA. The accounts received

of the war between Turkey and Persia are of the most vague and uncertain description. According to advices from Russia, the Persians have sustained a formidable defeat, and a victory has been celebrated throughout the empire, with illuminations, and every other demonstration of joy; but the accounts given are altogether of too loose and unsatisfactory a nature to be relied upon, and

appear to have been published rather, with the view of making an impression on the public, and rendering the war popular at its commencement, than with any strict adherence to truth. The St. Petersburgh Government Gazette bears testimony to the good disposition of our government, and the earnest endeavours it has used to prevent Persia from engaging in this war.

The substance of the additional convention between Russia and the Porte, lately negociated at Akerman, has been received during the past month. As must have been expected, considering the relative situations of the negociating powers, all the most

important stipulations are in favour of Russia. The fifth article, which renders Servia almost an independent power, must create a considerable impression on the Greeks.

AFRICA.—The King of the Ashantees, unable to rest satisfied without adding to his dominions all the territory lying between his own country and the sea, has renewed hostilities, and has received a signal defeat from the neighbouring chiefs in conjunction, assisted by a small body of British troops, and led on by Colonel Purdon. The royal insignia and camp equipage fell into the hands of the victors. This victory, if it is followed up by decisive measures, may be productive of the most important results. Amongst them, we hope that the subsidizing the native powers in Africa, on a plan similar to that which has been so successfully pursued in India, will be adopted. We are convinced that will furnish the most effectual means of introducing the arts and improvements of civilized life in that remote region.

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November 2.

Mr. G. F. W. Mortimer, was elected a Michel Scholar of Queen's College.

The Rev. C. A. Ogilvie, M. A. Fellow of Balliol College, has been nominated and approved as a Delegate of Accounts, vice the Dean of Chester, resigned.

November 10.

C. J. Boyle, Esq. was admitted Founder's Kin Fellow of All Souls' College,

Degrees conferred November 2.

D. D. (by Accumulation.)

Martyn, J. L. Trinity Coll. Grand Comp.

B. C. L.

Stonhouse, Henry, Fellow of New College.
M. A.

Compson, Rev. J. E. Trinity College.
Lutyens, Rev. W. W. Pembroke College.
Pearse, Nicholas, Brasennese College.
Robinson, David, Queen's College.
Veitch, W. D. Balliol College.
Wickham, Rev. E. Fellow of New College.
B. A.

Boddington, T. F. Balliol College.
Brine, Aug. James, Exeter College.
Buckby, E. Heselrige, Balliol College.
Legh, G. Cornwall, Christ Church.
Medley, John, Wadham Coll. Grand Comp.
Newman, F. W. Worcester College.
Rice, F. W. Christ Church.
Spry, S. T. Exeter College.
Williams, T. Prosser, Magdalen Hall.

M. A. ad eundem.

Kempson, Rev. E. M. A. Trin. Coll. Camb.
November 16.
B. D.

Hornby, G. Fellow of Brasennose College.
M. A.

Denison, E. Fellow of Merton Coll. Grand Compounder.

Harbin, Rev. C. Fellow of Wadham Coll. Hinchliffe, Edward, Worcester College. Hopkins, J. St. John's Coll. Grand Comp. Jones, Rev. John, St. Alban Hall.

B. A.

Anderson, C. H. J. Oriel College.
Beadon, R. John, Queen's College,
Chaytor, Henry, St. Mary Hall.

Dashwood, S. V. Brasennose Coll. Grand
Compounder.

Dawson, George, Trinity College.
Gardiner, G. Gregory, Exeter College.
Mills, W. Yarnton, Trinity College.
Webster, Rowland, Lincoln College.
Wilberforce, Samuel, Oriel College.
Woodham, T. F. Worcester College.

November 23. M. A.

Green, Rev. H. H. Worcester College. Lechmere, Rev. A. B. Christ Church.

B. A.

Blundell, William, Brasennose College.
Blunt, E. P. Scholar of C. C. Coll.
Bobart, H. Hodgkinson, Christ Church.
Byron, John, Exeter College.
Caldecott, R. Marriott, Brasennose College.
Capel, W. Postmaster of Merton College.
Clarke, Thomas, Pembroke College.
Clarke, W. T. Queen's College.
Collett, Thomas, Trinity College.
Curling, William, Wadham College.
Davies, Morgan, Wadham College.
Day, John, Exeter College.
Denny, Henry, Worcester College.
Dowling, J. Goulter, Wadham College.
Godmond, C. F. Queen's College.
Griffiths, Thomas, Jesus College.
Ray, E. Barker, Brasennose College.

CAMBRIDGE.

October 30.

The Rev. T. Chevallier, M. A. of Catharine Hall, and the Rev. A. Ollivant, M.A. Fellow of Trinity College, were elected Examiners of the Candidates for Writerships in the service of the East India Company, who have not resided at the College at Haileybury.

November 4.

The Rev. Christopher Wordsworth, D. D. Master of Trinity College, was elected Vice-Chancellor of the University,

November 15.

The Rev. Watkin Maddy, M. A. Fellow of St. John's College, was appointed Moderator, in the room of J. King, Esq. Fellow of Queen's College, resigned.

A Grace passed the Senate, to give 501. from the University Chest to the Subscription for rebuilding the English Church at Amsterdam.

James Parke, Esq. M. A. Barrister at Law, is elected Auditor of Trinity College, in the room of His Majesty's SolicitorGeneral.

The Lucasian Professorship of Mathematics has become vacant, by the resignation of the Rev. Professor Turton.

The subject of the Norrisian Prize for the ensuing year is, The Proofs of a General Judgment to come, and the advantages of the knowledge revealed to mankind concerning it.

The Seatonian Prize has not been ad

judged.

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