part of the assertions may be, while truth is held to aggravate libel, were imprudent. Mr. Hunt con ducted his own defence, and in the course of it he animadverted strongly, but very properly, on the cruelty of the law which enables an Attorney Ge neral to ruin (if he be villain enough to wish it), any one he may have a dislike to, by filing re peated ea do infiirmations against him. We have been credibly informed, that three of these execrable proceedings were filed against the Messrs. Hunts in one year, that neither of the three were ever brought to trial, and that each of them cost the defendants at least one hundred pounds! " The King pays no costs," and they were without a remedy. A power of so great oppression ought not to be vested in any hands, and the Member who proposed its annihila. tion would merit the thanks, not only of those who are connected with the Press, but of the country at large. A petition was offered to the House of Commons on Friday evening from Davison, the printer, com plaining of the conduct of Judge Best, on his late trial—the House, however, choose to refuse even hearing it read.—On the prudence of such a line of conduct we forbear to comment, but of the object of the petition we may be allowed at once to express our pity, our commiseration, our sympathy towards the learned Judge on the score of the lamentable, childish irascibility of temper, and declare that we think a man who does not possesss strength enough of wind to combat such a natural defect, ought not to have accepted a seat on the Bench of Justice, whose characteristic is cool discrimination.—Per haps Mr. Justice Best may see the propriety of a resignation—he will still he entitled to his retiring pension. The Paris papers of Wednesday have arrived. The French funds continue to rise. The following are extracts— TILI'AiN, TEN. 14. The Milan Gametic contains a Proclamation, dated Padua. Feb.. 6, in which Gen. Frimnnt announces to the Austrian army under his command. that it is going to advance with inienikins entirely paeVc. We receive intelligence that the passage of the Po, so often announced, has commenerd on five different points. and that Tuscany and Rome must be at this moment occupied. We do not know whether the Austrians will attempt to enter the Nea politan territory, or await on the frontiers the answer to the dis patches which the Duke de Gallo has been charged to carry to Naples. STOCSHOL3I, JAN. 30. The well known unpleasant affair relative to English property which wassequestered some years at Bodsea. in Premark, will it is said be speedily adjusted, and great praise is given in the mercantile world to the moderation which the Engisli govern ment displays in its proceedings on this subject, as well as the open and ingenuous manner in which Mr. Fitzgerald, the am bassador. fulfils his instructions. Our merchants are the more pleased that this one only point in dispute between the two go vernments is in a fair way of arrangement as it is confidently asserted (besides that the interest of Norway cannot be different from that of Sweden) that questions of the highest importance to the two nations are now nebociating between us and Great B nude- _ A private letter from Paris states, that the English in that city who have had banks at their house have been arrested and sentenced to two months' imprisonment. The gambling houses in Paris are licensed, and under the authority of the police. Mr. Hase communicated to the gentlemen of the Exchange on Thursday morning, that the payments on the omnium which the bank took in have been postponed as follows ;—.50 per cent. to be paid the 15th of April ; 50 per ditto, on the red' of May. It is in contemplation, it is said, to call a public inetting, to be held in the Egyptian-hall, foe the purpose of entering into a subscription for the aid of the Neapolitans, as was fortnerly the case for the Poles, now that a powerful confederacy has been formed against their liberties and independence. The Rev. James I'. Law, A.M. one of the Pre bendaries of Chester Cathedral, and son of the Bishop of Chester, is appointed by the Lord Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry to the Chancellorship of that Diocese, vacant by the decease of the la e Dr. Outraru. The magistrates of Lincoln have issued a notice prohibiting drovers and carriers from travelling on the Sabbath, and butchers front killing or selling meat on that day, wider the penalties of the Act passed in the third year of King Charles I. The amount of the duties paid on windows, ac cording to a return made by order of the House of Commons from the sth Jan. 1820. to the sth of Jan. 1821, was 2,366,a311. Its. IV. The total expence incurred by the Navy and Victnalling Boards, for conveying and victualling settlers to the Cape of Good Hope, is 86,7601 ss. 4d. An eagle, which me .sured from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other, ►even feet one inch, and from the head to the tail two feet ten inches, and weighed nearly ten pounds, was shot a few days ago in the grounds of Forest-hall, in Lasex, by the gams-keeper. THE NATIONAL REGISTER COVENT GARDEN THEATRE. It is a very rare occurrence lur a theatre to produce in one week two new pieces, anti for each of them .o meet pre-eminent success—such, huAtever, has been the case at this theatre since out last. On Tuesday last a new Operat;c I)rama, in three acts, called l)n John, or the Teas notettai, fatindcd ou B.aunlout and Firtclier's play of the Chime's, was re presented the first time. The original Comedy has tin derlone various curtailments and aherations, btu the plot and principil iticali its hate been all preserved, and as the original was always, when well acted, a popular drama, the present opera could G irrick and Henderson, few actors have excelled w the difficult characv r of Don John, to which, however, Mr. C .arses Kembie did ample justice. A young lady, o. the nalne of 11111ancle, made tier first appearance ott she swe, w the character of the Fire' l'ioletta.—Alter she had conqui.A•erl the esitharrassinetet wit-ch is usual with dultufarties at first moments oh their appearance before an a mluence, and which is invariably itierease‘l by the endear ours of over xt•alotis friends to di.sipate stir went thrtityli her part with MiStial einifiietter and effect. Her filire a gtmel, anti her features are interestina. Her voice is street, piwert ill, and her execution ; and upon the whille,lier style La singina is particularly chaste, and we have nut the bast doing but that she will pro‘e a host valuable actimmitint to this theatre. lot the ,reutitl del she sling hie duet, " Ye distant Landi" with Nl.ss Ste r heas, and cattle out of this severe ordeal sv.tli an t ft* Cl that crowned her success. Her perform ance of the part Was more than could have i:.eit cx p.eted limit tier first appraranCe, anti her &tut was as successful as may we Itaic witnessed for a considerisele time. Miss Stephens was every thing that could he wished in tire Second Pio/dia. and l.er great vocal powers were ex rcis -.1 As the hest advantage. Liston rrforiated b . :across, as he does every ran lie Undertakes, with a sit tree of genuine humour that was irresp , tahle. ttttt sic try &soup and Mr. F. Ware had much claims upon our praise. On Friday night, after the applauded repetition of the above piece, a new serious drama, called Ilenrietie, or the Farm of Senonge, was produced. It is derived AMOS( literally from the drama of Therese. The chief aitracii tttt nr the pert ante was Mrs. V• •g. Site is a daughter of Mr. Jobannot, who for a long time elijoyed the warmth i, public favour um the London stage. Mrs Viiiuiic is of air interesting figure, and spews great skid' in the traversing and grim:sal Limitless of the st.tge• But these are her least merits. She has great feeling, characterises her. part strongly, displays much us , and yet keeps the display wi.luu proper con thud. She was wrii received throughout. and hi many instances irupres,ed that sort of iiiteresta which is wish lucid Instal prompt observation by the earnestness felt.— Toe applause' at the end of the perform slier made up to her for this deficiency in the prugent. Tire piece was 4111101111 CW for repetition amidst loud applauses. Dull. AT CHALK FA duel has elicited mote than an ot (homy deg, ee of interest, particularly in the literary world. The combatants were Mr. Scott, the Editor of a Loudon periodical work, and the friend of Mr. Lockhart. The dispute between Mr. S. and Mr. la has lately - been much t the subject of con lion in lite rary eirelesoind the particulars have been published in several of the public Journals. It was anticipated that the result of this dispute, which was conducted on both sides with midi acrimony, would be a meeting between the partiev, Lott we tititleistand that, trout some cause or other which we are timbale to dtplaiii, the task °lnterning Mr. Scott desolsed Nam Mr. Christie, an intimate friend of Mr. Loekhatt, and the parties met al half past leis on Friday eve 00000 Only true shot was fared. and the hall of Mr. Loekliart's friend entered Mr. Scott's grout and he fell. When Mr. Scutt was conveyed tar the tavern, he was attended by his antagonist, moil the seconds, but tin the tiepin titre of Mr. Watson, the tavern keeper, in quest of an officer, they guessing tun intention, lett the hust-e rather preeipitertely.—Davis. the Bow-street con stable, was the first officer found uy Mr. Watson, and hr bad the precaution to take Mr. Punster, a surgeon at Camden Town, in the chaise back lit the tavern, and Mr. - P. rendered every assistance to the wounded groilemais until some oilier M 4,11061 aid arrived. Lei thligeuce of the melancholy Altair was conveyed as speedup as possible to Mrs. Scott, who, though dreadfully shucked,. was in a very short time by the bedside of her *winded hushaud talicre she has Vince Cont i curd iu eute , duitt attendaroce upon him. Drs. Bret, Guthrie, and Btooks, were 1.4)011 summoned to attend Mr. Scott, and Intl instal tamed the most serious appreliensimes the whole 14 7 , 4 lit day that lie would nut secu'ver. On Saturday rveilitig the above gentlemen held a fonsiiliatiuu upon the pi acticalbitty of elicacting the hall, which had tattered the tight side of the groin, and penett wed nearly thron;ll on the left. Oil Jilllllay 1111)t using the unfortunate geitileinan wastelnieerhai Ingle'', and lb. surgeons eXll'Etted lite ball. MT. Scott burr the Operali‘sis wills cinch iorlilsidr, and duritig the remainder of the day was g;11,111.411y eta/ we me happy to say that strong hops-a air ocw entertained of his recovery. Mts. Scutt : and Mr. Pointer sal up with the whole tit Friday emu 54tti4day 111011, aud every possible assistance lies Urea irodered by .Ur. Wai.utt, the keeper of the tavern. •I'lloy upturning at six o'clock a trtailiity of cco.okolo a cellar brlonging to a fn.? /ITUrIIIIII , I Si reel, was &scot craft to he on fire, : llatl been mini ma for *Wile tlllle, but lay prOlUitt aSSISIJIIet • allil J plen tiful supp yut water It was got under; tile ti lur of cr. 'wad. tilc floor, and antler pins havlsig any WOW:, lien u r neatly reduced to charcoal t the exces,ive heat.— How the tire originated is that known. BANDITTI —Oile of the numerous tundra of rutlfi:puts which infest the mountains between Rime and pies has actually made all att.tek on the lawn ul*Terr.scnia, and succeeded in surprising the col:ege fur tile e.iticat.on of youths iu tiaat city. the sil l ,. nor, all ecclesiastic, was shill, and fifteen boys carried ud by the banditti, who from their fastnesses, h ave s ent to 'demand a rum amounting to nearly nine thousand pounds sterling for their release. MELANCHOLY EVENT. During the last two or three days, the paper. have been giving various and contradictory accounts of an occurrence sufficiently disastrous. It was an nounced ut first as connected with circumstances of peculiar and atrocious guilt, involving the seduction and pregnancy of two sisters, nobly related, by an individual (of noble family also) who, upon detec tion, immediately blew his brains out. Next it was said, that only one of the sisters had fallen a victim to his arts, and that the seducer had poisoned him self. We now, therefore, lay befbre our readers the following letter from the English t onsul at Genoa, where the sudden death of Mr. H. Harvey Aston, for that is the gentleman's name, took place. It will be seen that neither pistol nor poison was employe& but that he died of apoplexy. With respect to the young lady, it. is true that, having been required-to desist from his visits, Mr. Aston prevailed upon her . . to elope with him, but the fugitives were overtaken by. the lady's mother,itecompanied by her youngest daughter, a few hours after they left Genoa. The young lady instantly returned with her mother, and there is not the slightest suspicion, we are assured, of any previous misconduct, the noble family being convinced of her innocence. The following is the letter which has been received by a relative of the unfortunate gentleman British Consulate. Genoa, Feb. 8, reel. " Mr. Aston came to reside in this city in August last; and on Sunday, the stun of January, he prevailed upon &young lady, in whose family he had been an inmate since has arrival here, to elope with hon. The mother pursued and overtook them at Alexandria, and prevailed on them to return with her toGenos, where they arrived on Monday night at ten o'clock. He being• extremely ill, every medical assistance was called in. but I am• sorry to say, without effect, as he expired at twelve o'clock on Tuesday night.. The deceased having declared it was his wish that his body should be sent to England, it has been embalmed. sealed up in lead, and is depo lied in the house of the Protestant banal ground at Carignani, waiting orders to Messrs. Gibbs and Co. his bankers, in what manner he is to be conveyed home. " From the certificates of the physicians and surgeons that attended him, and superintended the opening niabody (which are in my possession), It appears that he died. of apoplexy. I. thought it proper, from various reports that were i n einsiattioe, to desire the physician who attends my family to be peteept with the other inedicad man. and to report his opinion to me, JR which he concurs.— My Visa Consul has placed my seal of ago upon Mr. Avon's effeeu. " I have the honour to be, your very obedient humble servant, "J. STIRLING." A let,. &gilts atm, as Mr:Bir;holl,..ol the • clink of the peace (Mice in Preston, sod. Ma Chaffers, bridie iitibter, were returinitg trout. Tatieton, in a gtg, they. were attacked by tile higliwaynteir, opposine• the utile. stone near Penworittatiahridge. Otte of thefts. caged wit h imprecations to S,no—arul three of the gang aimed' with pistols approached the gig. Mr. Chatters, who Held toe reins was preparing to strike a blow with his whip, Inn Mr. Bireliall urged hint ro pn3h on, WhiCh• he ticcttr ingly did, curl tney thus i•tciped ate sit the rul tins, however, fired.a. pistol after weal, which for. nitrate y mit:sed its ann. A constable ati:l ousel, went. watch of them, but they were out able tooneet with diem. Oii the same evening as ?.jr. T Sotclide was proceeding to Bamber-bridge. he was overtaken try four men a short thstaisee from the pike oil Wahott brow. On coming up with him, ante of them. took him familiarly by the arm, and they walked together , for sonic distance in nos way, wilco Sutcliffe began. to question them as to their object, unitising them to be panhers; he had scarcely spoken on this subject, when one of them seised him by the throat, threw Mtn on his back, and the gang immediately proceeded to rifle his pockets. They got from him his handkerchief some tea, and his pocket-book, as it contained souse memo. randuais Which would be of tits use to them. Wan th.s they complied, and struck off into the field*, by a path which leatls to Hollatsmi se. Being a little aliquot, Sutcliffe hollowed thesis a short distance, but they soon spewed 111.11 the daiigcs of such a course, try firing a pis ul iti time air, anti threatening to shoot brut if he did ant return into the road. Several persons hare been ar preht.ie.i ma suspicion, but the real tril.ants have not yet been hien-C.d. GitgAT P 1411014 MATCH.—Toe sweepstakes match ul5O guiaeas each between Capt. Heil and Messrs. Ittorntim and Guest. au good shots as England can pio.luce, took pk.ce on Friday nioriiinguit Bsshot-heath, at fine it bads each from a trap..twetity-one yards-from the guilt. It was even betting net Ween the. Infer, but r. •1 horn ion (or choice, la.was decided as f o llows kiti.d eleven birds successively, the twellth died three yards from the humid ry,. arid the filteetatt was missed altogether. Nlr: Titurwcri f o llowed, and ht, second bird, which Was iitt hard, carried the shot away, and the intuit bird grit away also, and he toiler) the oilers, making a tie wino Mr. (41,•14 —CJi+ ail Hull fulluw:d, ells) Ile WAS backed al reels to win, and having killed his first sestir bird. he was hacked at Iwo -or nut he missed the ir!ghih bird aiorgei:iir, and also tire eleventh arid thir.veitiir, and the pr se was between he two first shuts. Alr.:lliortiont was toe favourite, and he kited his first fire birds. Mr. r, est having killed his •isiii bird won the match. PONT RACE.—rwo I,traiirS. or rather galloways, wert matched on Wednesday to gallop 16.iii:les against elicit oht r, on die El toustiligilon awl Cambridge road, for 104 4 iiiiietts. The galloways oeltioged to Mr. Hope, o Royston. and Mr. Keppols.—Tney were rode by boys, anti it was a fa 44444 11) Wee over a piece of ground of eight with room to turn at each coil upon the gallop. Each Mil the first right Ludes under 28 minutes, and the tile 4igi,els ualloi were completed in 57 • totes by Mr. Keppels, which was 50 yards ahead. Mr. Keppet.' pony aid within a short distance of 17 miles in the hour, and won easy.-ii-A mare belonging to Capt. Flinn, was matched for bU guineas to trot eight miles lb half an hum over the saws ground,.which she did with use. Al