THE LONDON PRESS.-Either from want of something worth writing about, or from the effects of a sharp look-out, there is all at once a decency and decorum, and dullness in the London papers through the last month; still, however, a bandying backwards and forwards of abuse continues between "the Courier," "Old and New Times," and "Morning Chronicle," but this is all "pour l'amour de l'argent:" for if there was one atom of sincerity in all this, or one hearty sound principle to be established for the good of the community, or a sense of personal honour between the rival editors, there would have been ere this a meeting at Chalk Farm. We hope ever to be ready to see and to acknowledge any good points in those whom we consider as political adversaries; and we cannot but consider the conduct of "the Times" on one occasion, as being far, very far superior to that of "the Courier." In both papers is an account of a piece of fascinating mummery, performed " at the presentation convent" GALWAY, on the noviciate of a Miss Joyce; and in both papers it has all the appearance of not finding its way in for nothing. "The Courier," however, inserts it without comment; not so the Times, whose judicious remarks

"From the Connaught Journal we copy self a nun. This superstition, like most of the account of a young lady making herthose with which the Christian religion is defiled by the practice of the Catholics, is derived from Paganism, having no existence whatever in the early and purer ages of Christianity, nor even in the practice of the Jews, at the time when our Saviour

came upon earth. Upon this and similar subjects we would recommend the perusal of Dr. Middleton's Letter from Rome, republished with notes and illustrations by

Mr. Evans, a gentleman whose death it was recently our painful duty to notice in this journal. Indeed, the revived activity of the Catholics throughout Europe, owing to the restoration of the Pope, demands fresh vigilance and vigour from the Protestant Clergy of all denominations. Whatever the Catholics themselves may pretend, their religion has been much purified, and has been shamed out of many of its grossnesses and absurdities, by the Reformation: and it is, moreover, even now a much better and more rational system of worship where it is practised in the vicinity of Protestantism than it is in Italy, or than it was recently in Spain and Portugal, where its professors might riot in all their superstitions, without the contrast of a better form, or the observation of Christians enlightened by a free access to the word of God. We are therefore the more surprised at the ostentatious manner in which the nunnifying of this foolish girl, Miss Joyce, with her Thuriis thrust upon public attention. The lanfereres, her Acolytes, her Celebrants, &c. guage in which the ceremonial is described in the Irish journal is truly ludicrous. The

writer says the scene was sublimely impos

ing. There are a great many impositions of this kind in his religion, of which this, no doubt, was one."

"The Courier" has also an account of a Bethel meeting, held at the sign of the Goat Tavern, Pimlico, headed in most conspicuous type," RELIGION and MORALITY AMONGST THE SOLDIERS."Whether this means, "that these extraordinary acquirements are of a late origin among the soldiers, and are now for the first time introduced into the

army; or whether "it is intended to caution the public against the introduction of religion and morality among the soldiers, (two of the Life Guards spoke at the meeting) in the way in which they are proposed to be introduced," we cannot accurately decide; but we fear the para graph is only another instance of the venality of the press, which whilst it advocates sound principles in the unpaid for part of its columns, admits any thing, and every thing, even the poison of radicalism, without comment, in the shape of an advertisement, or a blinked-at paragraph. Without wishing a soldier or sailor to be less religious than anyother class, and seeing no reason on earth why a Christian may not be as brave, aye, braver, than an Atheist, Deist, Radical, or Liberal; yet remembering the usurpation of Cromwell, we say, God preserve us from the Rev. Mr. Smith of Penzance, and his army of saints!! Religion, like every other principle, may be misdirected; and the Life Guards who go to prayer-meetings and love-feasts are likely to come slovenly to the parade, for which they may get flogged.

We disguise medicine for children in some sweet syrup, so may religion be introduced among the preponderating population of the lower classes, as something good; but to that principle, at some future day will be added a political impulse, against which the Church must be,

on its guard. He who is not for us is against us, and when we see such extraordinary religio-politico-fanatico - philanthropico-mixtures, as public meetings continually present to us, we cannot but recall to our memory, the moral of the old man, and his bundle of sticks,"CONSISTENCY IS THE SOUL OF GOOD PRINCIPLES."

THE GREEKS, (not the Bondstreet Greeks.)—The foreign papers have such varying and contradictory accounts of this contest, that no reliance can be placed upon them-certain it is, that fighting is still going on. The nature of the war is such as not to promise greater facility of accommodation by the coutinuation of such series of mutual retaliation as accompanies the contest. Were the parties left to themselves to fight it out, it would probably be a bellum internecinum; but it is not for the interest of neutral powers that such should be the case. The Turks and Greeks, not able themselves to preserve a balance of power, in their interesting country, are but the political weights of which other countries hold the scale. Of the character of the Emperor of Russia we have and ever have had but one opinion, "that he is the most consummate hypocrite that ever existed ;" and judging from the conduct of our own Cabinet, we think we can perceive that he is by them so estimated. If the Russian Autocrat was sincere in the principles he professes, he would and ought to uphold the Turks against the Greeks; but Russia has a longing and envious eye upon Turkey in Europe; and if it be true, that the King of Persia is preparing on his side to attack the Crescent, we can readily foresee that such a circumstance will bring Russia into the field, and if Russia-then France,

Austria, and England, in alliance opposed to her.

SOUTH AMERICA. In the contest with America, the French and Spanish nations took part in favour of our rebellious colonies, and to have done the same as to South America, would have been but a just retaliation. The opposition prints have frequently urged the measure; but the policy of the Cabinet has been, "to preserve a strict neutra. lity." By this prudent line of policy, should Lima have fallen *, and an independent kingdom or state be finally settled in that country, we may look forward to the opening of an immense market for our manufactures. This substantial benefit is exactly the one, to which our fair and honourable conduct will entitle us.

*Since writing the above, official accounts have arrived of the capture of Lima by the Independents.

a stationer.

cially one rancorous creeping ragamuffin) have endeavoured to represent us as such."-Old Times, Nov. 23.

* Alluding to "the Courier."

Gross Blasphemy." We were previously aware that our gracious Irish heart;' and King had an

we now learn that he always has been an Hanoverian. Whether any part of the sacred body is peculiarly British, or whether, like Christ Jesus, his Majesty has more than one nature, may perhaps be announced some day by those in the secret."

NOTE. The Attorney-General being Recorder of Bristol, shall have the paper from which the above is extracted, laid pointedly before him,

A Lie Trap, to catch Contradic. tions. By mere accident, we have. ourselves come to the knowledge of one of the atrocious calumnies propagated against Sir Robert Wilson, which we have reason to know was believed in the quarter where it was most likely to prejudice him. It was asserted that Sir R. Wilson had on the day of the Queen's funeral, when the procession halted at Ilford, dined with a certain gentleman (whose name was mentioned), and had, in the presence of thirty people, given the toast of "D-n the King." Reasonable persons can scarcely believe that so foolish as well as wicked a calumny could have been listened to for a moment yet it is a fact that this absurd falsehood was implicitly believed, and was acted upon, while the person thus grossly and falsely accused had never heard of the accusation. By mere chance it reached his ears, and the moment he heard

it, it was of course refuted *. He did not even know the person with whom he was said to have dined: he had on the day in question dined in town with his own family, after leaving the funeral procession; and it is needless to add, that he had never drank or heard of the abomi. nable toast of which he was said to be the author.

Is it necessary to comment on a fact like this +? And yet this is a fair sample of all the rest. Ex uno disce omnes.-Old Times.

House of Brunswick, are informed that this day, the 5th of November, (the 4th being on a Sunday), will be universally kept in commemoration of the glorious triumph over Popery." The bills also stated that the statue of the immortal William, in St. James's-square, would be decorated, in honour of the anniver sary of the never-to-be-forgotten day.