ary of State for the Home
Department, and author of "Yes and No," (three vols. Colburn) for
the purpose of extending the knowledge of reading and writing, and
the encouragement of circulating libraries all over the kingdom.

My consistent and uncompromising Secretary of State for the
Colonies, having, since the publication of his spirited "Essays by
a gentleman who has lately left his lodgings," totally changed his
opinions on the subject of the Corn Laws, a measure is in the
course of preparation with a view to the repeal of those laws, and
the continuance in office of my invaluable, tenacious, and
incomparable ministry.

CAUTION.--We have just heard from a friend in Somerset House, that it is
the intention of the Commissioners of Stamps, from the glaring puffs
embodied in the above speech, to proceed for the advertisement duty against
all newspapers in which it is inserted. For ourselves, we will cheerfully
pay.

* * * * *

A German, resident in New York, has such a remarkably hard name, that he
spoils a gross of steel pens indorsing a bill.

* * * * *

A NEW VERSION OF BELSHAZZAR'S FEAST.

[Illustration: OLD GLORY'S WHIG TOP-BOOTS REFUSING TO CARRY HIM TO THE
DINNER TO CAPTAIN ROUS.]

Such, we are credibly assured, was the determination of these liberal and
enlightened leathers. They had heard frequent whispers of a general
indisposition on the part of all lovers of consistency to stand in their
master's shoes, and taking the insult to themselves, they lately came to
the resolution of cutting the connexion. They felt that his liberality and
his boots were all that constituted the idea of Burdett; and now that he
had forsaken his old party and joined Peel's, the "tops" magnanimously
decided to forsake him, and force him to take to--Wellingtons. We have been
favoured with a report of the conversation that took place upon the
occasion, and may perhaps indulge our readers with a copy of it next week.

In the mean time, we beg to subjoin a few lines, suggested by the
circumstance of Burdett taking the chair at Rous's feast, which strongly
remind us of Byron's Vision of Belshazzar.

Burdett was in the chair--
The Tories throng'd the hall--
A thousand lamps were there,
O'er that mad festival.
His crystal cup contain'd
The grape-blood of the Rhine;
Draught after draught he drain'd,