1825.] 
E. Part of your insinuation, I should 
hope, is unfounded: but it would be 
well if it could be ascertained what bets, 
if any, were pending between the parti- 
zans of the respective combatants. But 
you have said nothing of the affair at 
Harrow. 
R. OF the atrocities at Harrow (for 
they deserve no softer name, if the 
statements that have gone forth are 
true), little more needs to be said, than 
that, in all logical induction, they are 
fatal either to the system, or to the 
management of the school.—Hither the 
tyrannical immorality — the recklessness 
of spirit, evinced by the boys of Harrow, 
on this occasion—the insolent and un- 
feeling contempt for the rights, the 
property, the limbs and even lives of 
their fellow-beings, who are placed in 
humbler situations than themselves, 
might have been prevented from growing 
up among them and breaking out into 
such overt acts; or it might not. It is, 
therefore, to be deplored, that there is 
no tribunal, by putting the masters upon 
their trial, before which the question 
might have been brought to issue: for, 
if the facts be as they have been stated, 
either the very system of the school 
itself is unfit to be endured, or they are 
unfit to have the conduct of it, 
.£. Enough of this. What are our 
Topics for : 
POLITICS 
AND 
POLITICAL ECONOMY? 
P.The Continent presents little to 
excite a present interest. France is 
retrograding, step by step, in all that 
can be done by the intrigues, the cor- 
ruption, and the consequent influence of 
the government, over a mockery of le- 
gislative representation: but the gene- 
ral mind of France can never be brought 
back to its former standard ; and there, 
as every where, as science and literature 
are extending, essential liberty will con- 
tinue its progress, in despite of the 
encroachments of institutions. Spain 
is still in chaos; and, what is to result 
from the war of disorganized atoms, 
conjecture seems even to have ceased 
to calculate. The Hoty Axuiance has 
little opportunity, at present, for the 
exertion of its pious and benignant 
energies; and the three heads of the 
Cerberus of legitimate Despotism may, 
perhaps, ere long, from the want of 
other employment, find occasion to snarl 
growl at each other—if not to bite. 
Gnxecr and Turkey, Spanish preten- 
sions, and South American indepen- 
dence, are subjects upon which their 
OnTHLY Mac, No, 408, 
Topics of the Month :—Politics and Political Economy. 
233 
opinions (i. e. their interests) are not 
likely entirely, or permanently, to agree. 
For home consideration we have 
topics enough. The annihilation of 
Spanish rule in South America, by the 
total defeat of the remnant of the 
Royalist Army in Peru, which may lead 
to the still further extension of our poli- 
tical and commercial relations with that 
continent; the exposé of the finances 
of Great Britain in 1824-5, by the 
Chancellor of the Exchequer; and the 
partial relief that has been conceded, 
and the expected reliefs that have not 
been conceded, from the oppressive bur- 
thens of taxation; the vast numerical 
increase of the Standing Army, which, 
whatever may be the pretence, is always 
secretly looked to, and always will be 
used, to convince the people of their 
weakness, and sanction the encroach- 
ments of power, and the suppression of 
popular rights ;—the Catholic Associa- 
tion, and the anticipated- concession (as 
it is called) in favour of the Roman 
Catholics—that is to say, the bargain 
of compromise, which is said to have 
been struck between the Catholic leaders 
of Ireland, and the English Govern- 
ment, to betray, upon certain condi- 
tions, the yet existing rights of the 
people there, and set an example for 
further encroachments on the elective 
franchise here ;—in other words, the 
consent reported to have been given, 
by the few Catholic nobles and gentry, 
to be assistant in the political anni- 
hilation of the plebeian multitude (by 
the disfranchisement of the 40s. free- 
holders), upon condition of the re- 
moval of certain religious disquali- 
fications, which would open to theme 
selves the doors of the senate, a par- 
ticipation in the good things of govern- 
ment, and the proud distinctions of 
power and office ;— these are the occur- 
rences and the speculations which haye 
been the topics of political considera- 
tion and controversy during the pre- 
sent month. And here is my disquisi- 
tion upon the subject, if your com- 
positor can make it out. 
“ Without at all concurring in the 
lavish anticipations which, at present, 
prevail, of prosperity to be derived from 
South America, in consequence of the 
political changes which have there taken 
place; we rejoice in the downfall of 
Spanish domination, and hail it as a 
step well made, towards the goal of 
social order amongst mankind at large ; 
but, with the maxim in view, that “im. 
provement is not necessarily, or univer- 
sally a consequent of change,” we cans 
2H ' not 
