, so that no new taxes were
levied, nor any additions made to those existing.

THE ALIEN ACT, ETC.

During this session it was resolved that the alien act should be
continued for two years longer; it being necessary to keep out as well
as send out of Great Britain persons who might take advantage of the
vicinity of France, to excite a spirit hostile to the security of this
and other European governments. Sir Samuel Romilly introduced a bill to
do away with the capital part of the act respecting private stealing
in shops, &c, setting forth in his preamble, that extreme severity of
punishment tends to procure indemnity for crime; but the house was not
yet prepared to legislate in a merciful spirit: the bill was rejected.
Before the close of the session Mr. Brougham succeeded in his motion for
a committee of inquiry respecting the education of the poorer classes;
the first step towards that system of popular instruction in which he
has effected so much. Fourteen commissioners were to be appointed by
the crown, six of whom were to have no salaries. This bill, however,
underwent many alterations in the upper-house, chiefly through the
exertions of Lord Eldon, who used all his influence against it. The
commissioners to be appointed were limited to the investigation
of charities connected with education; they were precluded from
investigating the state of education among the poor generally; and they
were directed to traverse the country and to call witnesses before
them, without possessing any authority for enforcing attendance, or for
demanding the production of documents. As Mr. Brougham observed, the
bill as it came from the lords left everything to the good will of those
who had an interest at variance with the inquiry. Yet much good, he
anticipated, might result from the exercise of the powers possessed
by the house. The means to be used were, that the commissioners should
proceed and call witnesses; that they should report to the house, and
make returns of the names of all those who refused to give information
or produce documents without alleging any just cause of refusal; and the
committee, which would be reappointed next session, might be empowered
to call those persons before them.

PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.

Parliament was prorogued on the 10th of June by the regent in person. In
his speech his royal highness stated his intention of giving direction
for a new parliament, after which he observed:--"I