nem. con.

mitted to lord Gower, at Pa-! Trial of Thomas Pažné. ris, c. fhould be laid before This long expected trial the house," which was ordered came on at Guild hall on Tuesday Dec. 18. Thomas Since the meeting of par- Payne was accused of having liament a strong spirit has dis- written and published a cer played itself through all parts tain seditious book, under the of the country towards dis- title of the second part of the couraging those afsociations, rights of man, &c. chiefly among the lower claf

ses of

The attorney general, in men, which had become support of the prosecution, read very general for the purpose several excerpts from this work, of forcing a reform, and p o- on which he commented, enpagating notions respecting deavouring to fhow as he went government, that the sober along that they were of a se clafs of citizens have thought ditious tendency, being cal had a tendency to excite sedi-culated merely to betray the tious discontents, The news- ignorant into a belief that the papers are now filled with loy- people are under the rule of a al and constitutional resolves, set of tyrants, and that they in which the parties bind are little better than slaves themselves, with their persons groaning under the severest and fortune, to support the ex- oppression.

ecutive power in supprefsing Mr Erskine, with his usual all riotous proceedings, and ingenuity, rose in defence of discouraging seditious publica- Mr Payne; but on this occations of every sort. Mr Grey sion it was very observable made a motion in the house that he spoke with a much of commons, levelled at these greater degree of caution than afsociations, in which he alle- is usual with him. He took ged that the same attention care in particular to state, very was not bestowed in preser- clearly, that in this defence, he ving a due subordination to acted merely in the course of the laws among bodies of this business. His arguments were description of men, as with ingenious; but did not regard to those associations vince the jury; who stopped which afsumed to themselves the attorney general when he the name of friends of the began to make a reply, the beople. The motion was over- foreman of the jury politely ruled; but it is to be wifhed telling him, that he was inthat a due attention may be structed by his brethren to in bestowed to prevent any ex-form him that they were satiscefses originating from this fied. Verdict guilty.

cause.

con

The consequences of this stain them, until of late that a verdict will be in some future decision of the house of peers time made known to the pub-threw the validity of these lic. votes into doubt. Since that time the general sense of the

Scotland.

Besides the general reform people in this country seems in parliament, and a reform to accord with that decision with respect to the royal bur-la Imeetings of delegates, from roughs, there is another re- the counties of Scotland, form in agitation at present in have of late been held in EScotland, that is more likely dinburgh, to devise a law by to obtain the general approba-which this evil may be best tion of the country, and the remedied, without making any sanction of parliament than ei-hurtful encroachment on the ther of the others. constitution. The proceed

For many years past a prac-ings of this body have been tice has prevailed, which was at regular and temperate; and, last becoming very general, for with a commendable caution, men of great landed property they have resolved to submit to give temporary dispositions every proposition to the delito the superiority of certain berate consideration of the lands, belonging of right to public at large, allowing due themselves, to such persons as time for reflection, before they they knew to be well affec- adopt any resolution. The ted towards them, by which progrefs in this case is slow; means a man of large landed but it appears to be the only property, who can by law have rational plan by which the only a right to give one vote real sense of the country can in any county of Scotland, for be obtained, and therefore a member to serve in parlia- may be deemed the wisest and ment, acquired the command most constitutional mode of of a great number of votes; proceeding. When they have which many persons believed agreed as to the leading pros gave these great men an un-positions, these will then be due influence in the county. submitted to the consideration The votes thus acquired, as they of parliament. At some fugive no real pofsefsion, have ture period the conclusions been called nominal and fictiti- adopted in this case fhall be ous votes. Many law suits have communicated to our readers. been instituted with a view to set these aside; but the decisions of the courts in Scotland have uniformly tended to su

In consequence of the uncommon demand for operative hands in every department of business, in the present flou

rifhing state of this country, ling, which subjects the poor combinations have become of this place to very great in

very general of late among convenience. different classes of this discrip- The magistrates of Edintion of persons, to abstain from burgh on this occasion have work, until their employers exerted themselves to alleviate fhould agree to augment their this evil in a manner that mewages. In many cases this rits the warmest approbation has been productive of the der of the public. They grant a sired effect, and a rise of price considerable bounty on all has been the necefsary conse- coals imported into Leith, quence. But in no case has and grant other indulgences the effects of these combina- tending to moderate the price. tions been more severely felt But the vessels freighted to than that which respects coal- bring coals within the früh, liers. This description of men where only they can pafs, duty by being able to earn much free, are detained so long be higher wages than others of fore they can be loaded, as to their own rank, can afford to counteract the beneficent purpolie idle, without experiencing ses of the magistrates. The the effects of want, much only effectual remedy seems longer than others. They to be to obtain a repeal of the have of late exercised this the coal duty, which alone can power to the utmost, in the open a free intercourse becoal works around this place; tween this place and Newcastle in consequence of which the and Sunderland.

quantity of coal raised has We hear a very rich seam been so much short of the usu- of coal was lately discovered al demand, that the price of at St Catharine's within three this necessary article has star-miles of Edinburgh.-The peted in a few months from five troleum of the famous balm pence the hundred weight, its well ifsued from this coal. asual selling price, to one fhil

TO OUR READERS.

As there are now considerable arrears due for this work, especially by persons at a distance, the Editor requests the favour of his subscribers to make remittances when opportunities offer. The sums due by each individual must appear very trif ling to them; but when many small sums are added together, the amount becomes considerable, and of some consequence to the Editor. Few will imagine that the arrears due on this work could be greatly above a thousand pounds.

Lockhart, Sir W. of Lee, memoirs
of,

86 Lotteries, on the pernicious effects

32 Manufactures and agriculture,
comparative influence of, on the
prosperity of states,
Manufacturers, important intelli-
gence to,