with perfect fairness; and indeed the mechanical construction of the EO tables, or whatever they are called, appears calculated to prevent the possibility of fraud. The only advantage possessed by the bank (which is, however, enormous) is the extent of its funds, by which it is enabled to sustain any train of reverse of fortune; whereas most of the individuals who play against the bank are in circumstances to be ruined by the first succession of ill luck; so that ulti mately the smaller ventures merge in the stock of the principal adventurers, as rivers run into the sea. The profits of the establishment must indeed be very large to support its expences. Besides a variety of attendants who distribute refreshments to the players gratis, there is an elegant entertainment, with expensive wines, regularly prepared about three o'clock in the morning, for those who choose to partake of it. With such temptations around him, and where the hazarding an insignificant sum seems at first venial or innocent, it is no wonder if thousands feel themselves gradually involved in the whirlpool whose verge is so little distinguishable, until they are swallowed up with their time, talent, and fortune, and often also both body and soul. This is Vice with her fairest vizard; but the same unhallowed precincts contain many a secret cell for the most bideous and unheard-of debaucheries, many an open rendezvous of infamy, and many a den of usury and of treason; the whole mixed with a Vanityfair of shops for jewels, trinkets, and baubles, that bashfulness may not lack a decent pretext for adventuring into the haunts of infamy. It was here where the preachers of the Revolution first found, amidst gamblers, desperadoes, and prostitutes, ready auditors of their doctrines, and active bands to labour in their vineyard. In more recent times, it was here that the plots of the Bonapartists were ad justed, and the number of their par tizans were recruited and instructed concerning the progress of the conspiracy; and from hence the seduced soldiers, inflamed with many a bumper to the health of the Exile of Elba, under the mystic names of Jean de l'Epee and Caparal Violet, were dismissed to spread the news of his approaching return, and prepare their comrades to desert their lawful sovereign. In short, from this central pit of Acheron,-in which are openly assembled and mingled those characters and occupations which, in all other capitals, are driven to shroud themselves in separate and retired recesses-from this focus of vice and treason have flowed forth those waters of bitterness of which France has drunk so deeply.' The parallel between the character of the lower orders of the two nations is very well drawn. A Frenchman, to whom you talk of the general decay of morality in his country, will readily and with truth reply to you, that if every species of turpitude be more common in France, delicts of that sort against which the laws directs its thunders, are much more frequent in Britain. Murders, robberies, daring thefts, such as frequently occur in the English papers, are little known in those of Paris.The amusements and habits of the lower orders are, on all occasions of ordinary occurrence, more quiet, peaceable, and orderly, than those of the lower English. There are no quarrels in the street; intoxication is rarely practised even by the lowest of the people; and when assembled for the purpose of public amusement, they observe a good-humoured politeness to each other and to strangers, for which certainly our countrymen are not remarkable. To look at the thousands of rabble whom I have seen streaming through the magnificent apartmente at at Versailles without laying a finger upon a painting or an article of furniture, and afterwards crowding the gardens without encroaching upon any spot where they could do damage; to observe this, and recollect what would be the conduct of an English mob in similar circumstances, compels one to acknowledge, that the French appear, upon such occasions, beyond comparison the more polished, sensible, and civilized people. But release both parties from the restraints imposed by the usual state of society, and suppose them influenced by some powerful incentive to passion and violence, and remark how much the contrast will be altered.-The English populace will huzza, swear, threaten, break windows, and throw stones at the Life Guards engaged in dispersing them: but if a Soldier should fall from his horse, the rabble, after enjoying a laugh at his expence, would lend a hand to lift him to his saddle again. A French mob would tear him limb from limb, and parade the fragments in triumph upon their pikes. In the same manner, the English:nan under arms retains the same frank, rough loyalty of character, without the alert intelligence and appearance of polished gallantry which a French soldier of ten exhibits to strangers. But it would be an outrage to our countrymen, to compare the conduct of the two armies when pursuing a defeated enemy, or entering a country as invaders, when every evil passion is a wake, and full license is granted to satiate them.' NEW WORKS PUBLISHED IN EDIN BURGH. NOTES, historical and descriptive, on the Priory of Inchmahome, with introductory verses, and an Appendix of original papers: by the Rev. THE Rev. Wm. MacGregor Stir ling will speedily publish a Chart of British History, with a Memoir. Our geographical knowledge of the East will be enlarged by the publication, which is speedily to take place, of Travels in Beloochistan and Sindé, accompanied by a geographical and historical account of those countries, with a map, by Lieut. Henry Pottinger, assistant to the resident at the court of the Peishwa, and late assistaut and surveyor with the missions to Sindé and Persia. The fragment detailing the interesting events of the life of the late Thomas Holcroft, is about to be laid before the public. It will be continued to the time of his death by some literary members of his family. The Annals of the Reign of George the Third, by John Aikin, M.D. in two volumes octavo, are in considerable forwardness. Mrs Opie's novel of Valentine's Eve, will be published in a few weeks. Mr Hills has in the press, and will shortly publish, a quarto volume entitled, "Sketches in Flanders and Holland, in a Series of Letters to a Friend." This work comprises an account of a Tour through the Low Coun Countries, immediately subsequent to the Battle of Waterloo, and will be illustrated by thirty-six plates, etched by the author, and aquatinted by eminent engravers. Mr Sumner's Treatise on the Being and Attributes of God, to which the premium of £.400 was lately adjudged at Aberdeen, will appear in the course of the month, in two Svo. vols. The translator of Herder's Philo It is sophy of History, has completed his translation of Bodmer's epic Poem, the Noahid, in blank verse. quite ready for the press, but its publication is deferred, owing to the difficulties of the times. A work of considerable interest is preparing for publication, entitled, "Narrative of a Ten Years' Residence at the Court of Tripoli," from the original correspondence, in the possession of the family of the late Richard Tully, Esq. the British consul; comprising authentic memoirs and anecdotes of the reigning Bashaw, his family, and various persons of distinction; an account of the domestic manners of the Moors, Arabians, and Turks, &c. The Copleyan medal was delivered at the anniversary of the Royal Society to the proxy of Dr Brewster. The President, in an elegant speech, described, with accuracy, the modifications of light discovered by Malus, and the altered direction of rays, in consequence of passing through certain crystals, which, having much analogy to magnetic phenomena, has been called polarization. He next took a review of the numerous experiments and discoveries of Dr Brewster, observing, that few of the other Fellows of the Society had contributed an equal number of curious papers in so short a period; and in brief, but very comprehensive, terms, unfolded the singular results and im portant consequences of his labours. The Rev. William Bingley, F.L.S. author of Animal Biography, has now in the press a work of instruction, in three volumes, the object of which is to describe, in a familiar, yet systematic manner, the modes of obtaining, of procuring, and preparing for use, all the most important articles of life. Its title is "Useful Knowledge,” or, a familiar and explanatory account of the various productions, animal, vegetable, and mineral, which are chicfy employed for the use of man; and it will be illustrated by numerous figures. Colonel Keatinge is preparing for publication, his Travels in Europe and Africa, in a quarto volume, with 34 engravings, from drawings made by himself on the spot. A translation is preparing from the German, of Dr Frank's work on the Doctrine of Incitement, by Dr Halliday, of the College of Surgeons, &c. It concerns us to find, that ill health has compelled Mr Wilson, the origi nator of the stereotype art in England, to bring to the hammer his valuable stock of stereotype plates, including many of the most current books in the language. The printers and booksellers of the United Kingdom have been invited to the sale. Mr John Weyland, jun. is about to publish, in an octavo volume, "The Principle of Population, as affected by the Progress of Society, with a view to Moral and Political consequences." : A translation is in the press of the celebrated work of M. De Pradt, entitled "The Congress of Vienna." The travels of Ali Bey in Morocco, Tripoli, Cyprus, Egypt, Arabia, Syria, and Turkey, between the years 1803 and 1807, written by himself, and translated into English, will appear in February. The entire works of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, and Thomas Wyatt the Elder, are announced, containing much new and curious matter, with notes, critical and explanatory, &c. &c. by G. F. Nott, D.D. D.D. F.S.A. late fellow of All Souls French and German, each of them College, Oxford. The second edition of Mr Dymock's Ovid, for the use of Schools, neatly and correctly printed at the University Press, Glasgow, will be published in the course of a very few weeks. The second edition of Mr Cottle's Poem of Alfred having been out of print some years, a third edition, revised, is in the press, which will contain numerous notes, illustrative of the poem, and of the Saxon era. In February will be published, a Map of Scriptural and Classical Geography; accompanied by an historical and descriptive volume, wherein the origin of nations is particularly examined and discussed, with reference to numerous authorities: amongst which Herodotus, Hesiod, Strabo, Pliny, Diodorus Siculus, Cluverius, Ptelomy, Mela, Bochart, &c. have been expressly consulted. That indefatigable and meritorious writer, Dr Nemnich of Hamburg, has just completed two valuable works, one, a Dictionary of Merchandize, English and German; and another in being also provided with a Supplementary Vocabulary, in German and English and in German and French, They appear to be indispensable companions to every counting-house engaged in foreign trade; and, as far as regards the English part, we can pronounce on its accuracy, and on the author's critical knowledge of the idiomatic phrases used in British trade and manufactures. The learned Doctor formerly published a Commercial Dictionary, in which he blended twelve European languages; but he has now conveniently separated and enlarged them. The English and French are to be followed by similar works in German and Italian, Spanish, Portugueze, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Russian, Modern-Greek, and Latin: a wonderful series of labours achiev able only by a German, and an industrious Hamburgher! But even these are but an introduction to a still larger work, in which Dr Nemnich proposes to give the corresponding denominations of articles of necessity and commerce," in several hundred languages." Poetry. THE WISH. MAY Peace be ever round thy dwelling, And whether in the bustling town, Nor Envy grudge thy better fate! Or for the friend you held so dear, In happiness long may you live, PRO Proceedings of Parliament. 137 HOUSE OF LORDS. THE House met at two o'clock, pursuant to prorogation, when the Lord Chancellor, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Duke of Montrose, Earl Bathurst, and the Earl of Harrowby, took their seats below the Throne, they being the Commissioners appointed to deliver the Prince Regent's Speech on the opening of the present Session of Parliament. In a few minutes the Speaker of the House of Commons, attended by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and several other Members of the Lower House, appeared at the Bar, and the Clerk then read the Commission. The Lord Chancellor then read the following speech: My Lords and Gentlemen :-We are commanded by his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, to express to you his deep regret at the continuance of his Majesty's lamented indisposition. The Prince Regent directs us to acquaint you, that he has had the greatest satisfaction in calling you together, under circumstances which enable him to announce to you the restoration of peace throughout Europe. The splendid and decisive successes obtained by his Majesty's arms, and those of his Allies, had led, at an early period of the campaign, to the re-establishment of the authority of his Most Christian Majesty in the capital of his dominions; and it has been since that time his Royal Highness's most earnest endeavour to promote such arrangements as appeared to him best calculated to provide for the lasting repose and security of Europe. In the adjustment of these arrangements it was natural to expect that many difficulties would occur; but the Prince Regent trusts it will be found that, by moderation and firmness, they have been effectually surmounted. To the intimate union which has happily subsisted between the Allied Powers, the nations of the Continent have twice owed their deliverance. His Royal Highness has no doubt that you will be sensible of the great importance of main taining in its full force that alliance, from which so many advantages have already been derived, and which affords the best prospect of the continuance of peace. The February 1816. Prince Regent has directed copies of the several treaties and conventions which have been concluded to be laid before you. The extraordinary situation in which the powers of Europe have been placed, from the circumstances which have attended the French Revolution, and more especially in consequence of the events of last year, has induced the Allies to adopt precautionary measures, which they consider as indispensably necessary for the general security. As his Royal Highness has concurred in these measures, from a full conviction of their justice and sound policy, he relies confidently on your co-operation in such proceedings as may be necessary for carrying them into effect. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons :— The Prince Regent has directed the Estimates for the present year to be laid before you. His R. Highness is happy to inform you, that the Manufactures, Commerce, and Kevenue of the United Kingdom are in a flourishing condition. The great exertions which you enabled him to make in the course of the last year, afforded the means of bringing the contest in which we were engaged to so glorious and speedy a termination. The Prince Regent laments the heavy pressure upon the country which such exertions could not fail to produce and his Royal Highness has commanded us to assure you, that you may rely on every disposition on his part, to concur in such measures of economy, as may be found consistent with the security of the country, and with that station which we occupy in Europe. 66 My Lords and Gentlemen :-The Negociations which the Prince Regent announced to you, at the end of the last Session of Parliament, as being in progress, with a view to a commercial arrangement between this country and the United States of America, have been brought to a satisfactory issue. His Royal Highness has given orders, that a copy of the Treaty which has been concluded shall be laid before you; and he confidently trusts, that the stipulations of it will prove advantageous to the interests of both countries, and cement the good understanding which so happily subsists between them. The Prince Regent has commanded us to inform you, that the hostilities in which we have been involved in |