and such are those now of the process of vegetation. If intelligence were necessary for the processes of vegetation; the seasons could not be necessary. The seasons are a physical, not an intelligent power.

Mr. Detrosier acutely shows, that various compounds proceed from varied mixtures of the same three gases. It is also wonderful, that the constituent parts of common water and aquafortis are not very dissimilar, though the compound is so dissimilar. But what does this prove for the doctrine of intelligent and designing nature? Or why, finding the facts to be what Mr. Detrosier finds them, why need we an intelligent source? There is nothing proved by saying, that all nature is intelligent. Why, because we are ignorant beyond a certain point, why make an idol for superstition to worship with antics? Mr. Detrosier has said, in conversation, that it induces the principle of gratitude in man, to dwell on such a deity. If this could be admitted, does not the superstitious principle on which it is founded produce a greater amount of evil than of good? The God for gratitude is a God to be feared; and a God that is made the author of every thing and its quality, physical and moral, is a God that corrupts our morals; for we find excuses in the existence of such a God, for the doing of the many morally wrong things that we do Every idea of pardon for wrong doing is an encouragement for wrong doing. Indeed, if such a God as an intelligent, observing, providing, directing, and forgiving God be once admitted, there can be no check set up to the progress of superstition. If I could see the means of confining the superstition to the mere grateful admission of the existence of such a God, I should not be such a stickler against those who are content to call themselves deists. The less the superstition the better the system: that I grant; but there can be no honest check upon superstition after its first principle be admitted. Would it not be better then, that we should unite on that ground, on which we can set up a complete bar to superstition, and on which we can safely challenge every superstitious being to discussion. I have seen christians advance arguments in defence of their superstition which no deist can answer; but one and all confess that they are prostrate before that kind of atheism, which admits no intelligent, directing, designing, or providing deity.

That this subject will not end here, I am aware, but I have no more room to move in for this week, so with a most sincere respect, I pray that we may be both improved for the furtherance of this discussion,

R. C.

TO MR. CARLILE.

Some rise by sin,

Kensington, March 10th, 1828.

And some by virtue fall.-SHAKSPEARE.

SIR,―The trial and sentence of the Rev. Robert Taylor have produced a sensation in this vast metropolis of mingled disgust and applause: disgust from the philosophical, and applause from the ignorant and superstitious. Public functionaries should hold their situations as trust from the public. By a constant and assiduous attention to their duty, and strictly abstaining from all vindictiveness and buffoonery, can they expect to obtain public approbation. A consideration of the circumstances attending the trial and judgment of the Rev. Robert Taylor has convinced the public, how directly opposite to that line of conduct has been the course pursued by those whose duty it was to have rendered judgment as lenient as possible, and to have behaved respectfully to one, whose conduct entitled him to their consideration. The zeal with which the Rev. Robert Taylor has maintained the cause of free discussion, has entitled him to support from all those who value truth and a progress toward liberty; for, it is only by free discussion, that they can be supported, and that peace on earth and good will among men can be established. I have forwarded to you, twenty-one shillings and sixpence, being the contribution of a few friends at Kensington, toward the support of the Rev. Robert Taylor during his unjust incarceration. Wishing him good health and a speedy triumph over his persecuting enemies,

66

Ed. Howard..
President

A Confirmed Materialist.

C. D.....

I subscribe myself, your's, in fellowship,
ED. HOWARD.

F. C..

010

Two Female Friends.

006

Vesper.

1 0

A Republican

...

006

W. Knight

John Howard

010

020
20

C. H.

.........

A Deist

Printed and Published by RICHARD CARLILE, 62, Fleet Street, where all Communications, post paid, or free of expense, are requested to be left.

NEW EMIGRATION PROJECT.

THAT there is a superabundance of people for the existing arrangements of society, in this and in the neighbouring island, Ireland, is evinced in the extensive distress and in the varied projects for emigration. No large numbers of any nation, that could be well provided for at home, would think of emigration. There is an attachment to native soil, among the mass of mankind, and the wanderers are but the exceptions, whether the disposition be phrenological or founded upon the moral prudence of self improvement. It is of some importance, to distinguish, when speaking of a superabundance of people, that the relation is not to the means of the soil to provide them with food; but to the present arrangements of society. No one will impute to us the approbation of the present arrangements of society, we would, if we could, reform them altogether, and leave no need of emigration; but we cannot do this, and not being able to do it, we must morally do the best we can: always ready to support every kind of useful reform.

Our better informed political economists have objected, in toto, to all legislative interference on the subject of emigration; because, if the legislature interferes, it must find money for the expences of emigration, and this once done, the same necessity for doing it will be periodical, or recur every seven years. Compulsory emigration will afford no permanent relief; the cost considered, not any relief. What can half a million of people do on the soil of Canada, which they cannot more easily and more cheaply do on the soil at home? If nothing more, be the answer to this question, the cost of removing the emigrants, or rather

Printed and Published by R. CARLILE, 62, Fleet Street. No. 12, Vol. I.

2A

the exiles, is a waste of capital that may be made productive at home.

The whole polity of the subject is involved in the question, whether animals have not the physical property to increase and multiply beyond the means of subsistence, let that subsistence relate to the arrangements of society or to the productive powers of the soil. If it be the property and tendency of animals to increase and multiply beyond the social or natural means of subsistence; then, it follows, that the only remedy, if it can be discovered, is in a moral means of preventing that increase and multiplication, without the infliction of any moral or physical injury on existing beings. We are of opinion, that the members of the Administration of the English Government understand this subject well; but, as in the case of the moral necessity of subjects for dissection to the surgeon, they dare not encounter the prejudices of the people, to recommend the only applicable and efficient remedy. This should not be the character of the rulers of a nation, and this shall never be our character, as ministers of the press.-We will broach every subject, that has a probability of being useful, and abide by the consequences, whether they be good

or ill.

For some years past, the country has heard of Emigration Committees, formed in the House of Commons: and, until the present year, there has been an apparently uniform impression, that no practical and efficient good could arise, jointly to the emigrants and to those who remain at home, from any system of emigration; but now it seems, that the urgency of domestic distress, and the frightful amount of the poor rates, have produced a political desperation for emigration. The stream of emigration is now projectedly to flow into Canada; and as we have a communication upon the subject, from an experienced Canadian planter, who is deeply alarmed for the doubtful welfare of such of his countrymen, as, by specious promises, may be induced to join the emigration, we will allow him to state the case :

To the Editor of "The Lion."

March 12, 1828.

Sir,-It appears by the public prints, that, on Tuesday the 4th instant, Mr. Wilmot Horton moved the House of Commons for a copy of the report of Lieutenant Colonel Cockburn, and of the orders issued by the colonial department, on the subject of emigration to Canada, on January 5, 1827.

I have no favorable impression of the competency of judgment of a military officer, in a matter of such high importance in political economy, as that of a superabundant population and a consequent necessary emigration into such a country as Canada.

On the subject of emigration to Canada, I have practical knowledge. I have accomplished that enterprize, and have become a

planter there, uniting, with a freehold property, a knowledge of its climate and soil. Practised in the commerce of Britain, I have been an attentive observer of the commercial pursuits of the inhabitants of the Canadas.

4

Mr. Wilmot Horton has introduced a bill to the House of Commons proposing to transmigrate the pauper-multitude of this country, strangers to the climate and country of Canada, at an expense, to be defrayed by government or by the several parishes, of 201. per head.

The Emigration Committee, in its report, printed last year, computes, that government may collect from these settled emigrants in Canada two millions, three hundred and twenty seven thousand, and five hundred pounds, in a period of thirty years, and that for eighteen years, it shall collect 95,000l. per annum.* The committee should have demonstrated, with what productions 95,000l. per annum could be raised, without a balance of trade in favour of the colony.

The emigration bill proposes, that the settled emigrant shall begin to pay back the advance of money made to him, rent, &c. in the third year of his settlement. I will examine the practicability of this project.

The emigrant embarks at one of our ports, say in April 1828. He is two months on his passage, which brings him into the river St. Lawrence in June. He obtains his location ticket in August, and builds log huts for himself, family, and cow; but though the bill provides a cow, it has forgotten to provide a sustenance for that cow, and none is to be found in the forests of Canada. In September and October, the settler is clearing under-brush of twelve to twenty feet high, and standing as close together as hay in truss. In his wilderness, he must get a stock of firewood, as winter approaches; and the writer has travelled in Canada over rivers frozen, and frozen snows, with the thermometer of Fahrenheit at 340 below zero. This essential is to be accumulated by hand labour, as the settler has no beast of burthen allowed him. From November to March, the snow will be five feet deep, and through all the pain of this furiously severe season, he must be cutting down timber trees, topping and lopping their branches and severing their many massive trunks into fourteen feet lengths. The spring of 1829 arrives, he must collect the timber and the under-brush into piles, to prepare to clear the earth by a fire of the remaining incumbrance. This necessary fire cannot be produced, until the summer heat has exhaled the moisture from the wood, the soil and its general vegetation. In the midst of his burning exertion, in August 1829, his subsistence is no longer provided for, his rations from government cease, and

* To which it might have added, if it holds it as a colony so long.- Ea.